Exhibit “A” Page 1/5
10.16.210 Commercial vehicles.
A. Definitions
1. "Commercial Vehicle" means any motor vehicle, trailer, or vehicle combination that is designed, maintained, used, or advertised for the transportation of property, equipment, freight, or passengers for hire, compensation, or as part of a business enterprise. Subject to the exclusions set forth in subsection A.2, a vehicle shall be considered a commercial vehicle for purposes of this section if it meets any of the following criteria:
i. Weight Classification. The vehicle has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or actual weight, of 10,000 pounds or more.
ii. Axle Configuration. The vehicle is equipped with more than two axles. iii. Bed Length. Pickup trucks or similar vehicles with a cargo bed measuring nine (9) feet or more in length.
iv. Design or Use. The vehicle is built, modified, or primarily used for the carriage of property, goods, tools, or equipment related to a commercial trade, service, or business operation, including but not limited to: box trucks, flatbeds, stake beds, cargo vans, utility/service trucks, and tow trucks.
v. Dimensions. The vehicle exceeds 24 feet in overall length, 8 feet in height, or 8 feet in width, including any permanently affixed racks, equipment, or toolboxes. vi. DMV Classification. The vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as defined in California Vehicle Code §§ 260, 233, or 15210.
vii. Markings, Equipment, or Advertising. The vehicle bears business signage, displays a USDOT number, is equipped with commercial-grade apparatus (such as cranes, lifts, compressors, tanks, or racks), or is advertised for hire, including via decals, websites, printed advertisements, or public directories.
2. Exclusions. Notwithstanding subsection A.1, the following shall not be considered commercial vehicles for purposes of this section:
i. Standard pickup trucks, including up to Ford F-350; Chevrolet/GMC 3500; Ram 3500; and similar models—regardless of business use, decals, or equipment racks— provided they do not exceed the dimensional or weight thresholds listed above. ii. Typical cargo vans or passenger vans designed to carry fewer than 15 passengers, including vehicles used by tradespersons or small business owners, so long as they do not exceed the dimensional or weight limits above and are not extensively modified with external commercial equipment (e.g., generators, cranes, or cargo compartments that materially alter their residential appearance). iii. Personal-use vehicles, such as sedans, crossover SUVs, standard minivans, or personal trucks, including those used for rideshare or delivery services (e.g., Uber, Lyft, DoorDash), provided they are not otherwise modified or classified as commercial vehicles and do not meet the criteria under Subsection A.1. iv. Recreational vehicles, motorhomes, campers, travel trailers, or horse trailers, when used for personal or recreational purposes.
v. Horse trailers and non-commercial utility trailers used for agricultural or residential purposes;
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vi. Government or Utility Vehicles – Vehicles owned, leased, or operated by a public agency or public utility provider and assigned to an employee as part of their official duties, including on-call or emergency response responsibilities. To qualify for this exemption, the vehicle must:
i. Be clearly marked with the name or logo of the public agency or utility provider;
ii. Be used exclusively for governmental, public service, or utility-related work; and
iii. Not exceed the dimensional standards in Subsection A.1.v, unless approved by the Community Development Director or their designee due to operational necessity.
3. Parcel. For purposes of this section, the term “parcel” shall mean one or more contiguous parcels of land under common ownership, irrespective of legal parcel boundaries. When determining parcel size for the purpose of historic vehicle exemptions, vehicle counts, or required setbacks, such contiguous parcels shall be treated as a single unified site. This provision applies only to parcels under identical ownership and does not apply to parcels separated by public streets or alleys.
4. “Historic Commercial Vehicle” means a Commercial Vehicle, as defined in Subsection A.1 of this section, that is registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles as a Historic Vehicle pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 5004, and that is not operated for compensation, hire, or in furtherance of a business enterprise.
B. No commercial vehicle, as defined above shall be parked in, on, or adjacent to a residential zoning district, whether on public or private property, except for purposes of immediate loading or unloading.
C. No commercial vehicle, as defined above, shall be parked on a public roadway in, on, or adjacent to a commercial zoning district except for purposes of loading or unloading.
D. No commercial vehicle, as defined above, shall be parked on a public roadway in, on, or adjacent to an industrial zoning district for more than twenty-four (24) hours.
E. No unattached commercial trailer shall be parked on any public roadway except for purposes of loading and unloading property and/or goods.
F. For properties located within Mixed-Use, Special Zones, or other zoning districts not expressly listed above, the applicable parking standard shall be determined based on the type of use or development on the property and its most closely related zoning district, as determined by the Community Development Director or their designee.
G. Special permission may be granted in writing to exempt commercial vehicles from subsections B, C, D, E, and F of this section under limited circumstances. The request must be submitted to the Community Development Director or their designee and shall include the reason for the exemption, duration requested, and supporting documentation. Temporary exemptions shall be limited in duration and may include specific conditions or revocation provisions.
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H. Historic Commercial Vehicles in Residential Zoning Districts Exemption
1. Notwithstanding subsection B, a Historic Commercial Vehicle, as defined in Subsection A.4 of this section, may be permitted to be stored on private residential property pursuant to the procedures and subject to the limitations set forth in this section, provided it meets all of the following criteria:
i. Ancillary Use Requirement. The storage and use of the Historic Commercial Vehicle must be clearly ancillary to an existing, permitted residential dwelling use on the same parcel. The primary use of the property must remain residential. ii. Zoning Eligibility. Storage is permitted only on parcels located within the Residential Rural (RR) zoning district.
iii. DMV Registration. The vehicle must maintain valid California DMV registration and display Historic Vehicle license plates.
iv. Parcel Size Limitations. One Historic Commercial Vehicle may be stored per full acre of land. Parcels less than one acre in size are not eligible for this exemption. v. Setbacks. Historic Commercial Vehicle must be parked a minimum of fifty (50) feet from all property lines abutting other residential parcels and must not be readily visible from any public right-of-way.
vi. Permitted Storage Locations. Historic Commercial Vehicle may only be stored in interior side yards or rear yards. Storage in front yards, street side yards, or within required setback areas is prohibited.
vii. Street Parking Prohibited. Historic Commercial Vehicle shall not be parked or stored on any public street, except during immediate loading or unloading activities as provided in subsection B.
viii. Temporary Driveway Parking. A Historic Commercial Vehicle may be temporarily parked in a paved driveway for up to seventy-two (72) consecutive hours within any 120-hour period for purposes of light maintenance or preparation for transport, provided it does not encroach into a sidewalk or public right-of-way and is not used for habitation or storage.
ix. Parking Surface Requirements. All Historic Commercial Vehicles must be parked or stored on a paved surface or an alternative all-weather surface approved by the Community Development Director or their designee. Acceptable surfaces include concrete, asphalt, 3” of compacted Class 2 road base, or other equivalent engineered materials capable of supporting the vehicle weight without rutting, erosion, or environmental degradation.
Parking on bare dirt or lawn areas shall not be permitted. Surfacing shall be maintained in good condition and free of weeds, standing water, or debris. x. Inoperative or Unrestored Vehicles. Historic Commercial Vehicles in a wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition may only be stored on-site if they are undergoing active and continuous restoration. No more than one (1) such vehicle may be stored on a parcel at a time, and it must be fully screened from public view or enclosed in a legally permitted structure. Restoration periods shall not exceed 365 consecutive days.
xi. Screening Requirements. All Historic Commercial Vehicle stored outdoors shall be screened from public right-of-way to the greatest extent feasible using solid fencing, decorative walls, Landscaping, or buildings. All screening materials and installations Exhibit “A” Page 4/5
shall comply with the requirements of the Development Code and any applicable permits. Screening must be maintained in good condition at all times. xii. Operating Hours. The operation, maintenance, loading, or unloading of Historic Commercial Vehicle shall only occur between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Engine idle between 10:00pm and 6:00am shall be limited to 15 minutes. xiii. Use Restrictions. Vehicles stored under this exemption shall not be used for dwelling, sleeping, or storage of materials or goods. They may not be operated as part of any commercial business or used to transport goods for compensation.
2. City Registration and Zoning Clearance. All Historic Commercial Vehicles stored under this section must be registered with the City’s Community Development Department through the issuance of a Zoning Clearance by the Planning Division. Prior to parking any vehicle on the property, the applicant shall obtain a Zoning Clearance confirming compliance with this section.
The Zoning Clearance application shall include, at minimum:
i. Proof of valid DMV registration and Historic Vehicle license plates; ii. Verification of parcel size (as defined in Subsection A.3); iii. A site plan showing the intended location of the vehicle, required setbacks, screening measures, and parking surface materials; and
iv. Documentation demonstrating that the applicant is either the legal property owner or an authorized occupant with written permission to use the property for this purpose. v. Payment of the applicable application fee.
The Zoning Clearance shall be valid only for the specific vehicle(s) identified in the approved application and designated for storage at the subject property. The exemption is non-transferable between properties and does not apply to future vehicles unless separately reviewed and approved.
Any proposed change in vehicle, location, or site conditions shall require submittal of a new Zoning Clearance application and payment of the applicable fee.
3. Compliance with Other Codes. All vehicles must comply with applicable zoning, nuisance, building, and health and safety codes. Violations of these provisions may result in revocation of the exemption and enforcement action.
4. Non-Commercial Use Limitation. This exemption is strictly intended to accommodate the personal use and enjoyment of Historic Commercial Vehicles by the legal resident or property owner. At no time shall any vehicle stored under this section be used for, or associated with, any commercial enterprise, including, but not limited to, the rental, lease, or storage of vehicles for compensation or other consideration. The property shall not be used as a commercial vehicle yard, impound lot, or storage facility for any third party, business entity, or fleet operator. No person shall receive or accept payment, compensation, or other financial benefit—whether directly or indirectly—in exchange for allowing a Historic Commercial Vehicles to be parked or stored on the property.
This exemption does not prohibit lawful hobby or display uses of the vehicle, such as participation in car shows, parades, or exhibitions, provided such activities are occasional, not-for-hire, and incidental to residential use.
I. Enforcement. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by the City's Code Enforcement Division in coordination with the Police Department. Violations may be subject to administrative citations, fines, or other remedies provided by law.
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J. Interpretation and Appeals
1. Interpretation Authority. The Community Development Director or their designee shall have the authority to interpret and apply the provisions of this section, including but not limited to determinations of whether a specific vehicle qualifies as a “commercial vehicle,” whether a vehicle modification constitutes a commercial-grade feature, or whether a vehicle meets the exemption criteria.
2. Appeal Procedure. Any person aggrieved by a written interpretation or determination made by the Community Development Director under this section may appeal the decision in writing to the City Manager within ten (10) calendar days of the decision. The City Manager, or their designee, shall review the appeal and issue a final written decision within a reasonable time. The decision of the City Manager shall be final.