1 ORDINANCE NO. 2067
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AMENDING TITLE 5 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE PARKING REGULATIONS,
TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION, AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael seeks to modernize its parking regulations to reflect current technology, including mobile payment platforms and multi-space pay stations; and WHEREAS, the existing Municipal Code contains outdated terminology and inconsistencies regarding parking revenue equipment, enforcement authority, and administrative practices; and WHEREAS, clarifying definitions such as “paid parking device,” “paid parking zone,” and related terms will improve public understanding and compliance; and WHEREAS, aligning on-street and off-street parking regulations to promote transparency, consistency, and efficient enforcement of parking rules throughout the City; and WHEREAS, the amendments support improved parking management, turnover, and access to businesses, services, and neighborhoods within the City; and WHEREAS, the amendments also support public safety by ensuring clear, enforceable regulations governing vehicle size, location, and duration of parking; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that these updates are necessary to maintain an effective, equitable, and modern parking system that serves residents, businesses, and visitors.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
DIVISION 1. AMENDMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE
The San Rafael Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows, with additions shown in underline and deletions shown in strikethrough:
CHAPTER 5.04 DEFINITIONS
5.04.010 - Definitions of words and phrases.
(a) Whenever any words or phrases used in this title are not defined herein, but are now defined in the vehicle code, such definitions are incorporated herein and shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein as though set forth herein in full. (b) The words and phrases hereinafter set forth in this chapter when used in this title shall for the purpose of this title have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this chapter.
5.04.020 – Crosswalk, marked.
CROSSWALK, MARKED: Shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 275(b).
2 5.04.030 – Crosswalk, unmarked.
CROSSWALK, UNMARKED: Shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 275(a).
5.04.0240 - Holidays.
Within the meaning of this title, holidays are:
1. New Year's Day,
2. Martin Luther King's Day,
3. Presidents' Day,
4. Farmworkers Day,
5. Memorial Day,
6. Independence Day,
7. Labor Day,
8. Veterans' Day,
9. Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving,
10. and Christmas Day.
11. Juneteenth
January 1st
Third Monday in January
Third Monday in February
Last Monday in May
July 4th
First Monday in September
November 11th
Fourth Thursday in November
Fourth Friday in November
December 25th
When any of the holidays as set forth above fall on a Sunday, the Monday following said Sunday shall be observed as a holiday. Whenever any of the holidays fall on a Saturday, the Friday before said Saturday shall be observed as a holiday.
5.04.0350 - Loading zone.
3 LOADING ZONE: The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
5.04.0460 - Official time standard.
OFFICIAL TIME STANDARD: Whenever certain hours are named herein, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the city of San Rafael.
5.04.070 – Paid Parking Device.
PAID PARKING DEVICE: any device used to accept payment for parking, such as parking meters, pay stations, mobile devices, or other methods approved by the parking services manager or designee.
5.04.080 – Paid Parking Zone.
PAID PARKING ZONE: an area in which signs, paid parking devices, or curb markings prescribe a designated period for parking of vehicles.
5.04.0590 - Park or parking.
PARK OR PARKING: The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers. The words "park or parking" also includes removing a vehicle from a parking place and immediately standing the vehicle in the same parking place without first having moved such vehicle one hundred feet.
5.04.080100 - Parkway.
PARKWAY: That portion of a street other than a roadway or a sidewalk.
5.04.070110 - Passenger loading zone.
PASSENGER LOADING ZONE: The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.
5.04.080120 - Pedestrian.
PEDESTRIAN: Any person afoot. Shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 467.
5.04.090130 - Police officer.
POLICE OFFICER: Every officer of the police department of the city of San Rafael, or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
5.04.1040 - Stop or stand.
a. STOP: When required, means complete cessation of movement. b. STOP OR STAND: When prohibited, means any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer, or official traffic control device, or an employee of the Parking Services Division.
4 CHAPTER 5.08 TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION
5.08.030 - Traffic accident reports.
The police department shall maintain a suitable system of filing traffic accident reports. Accident reports or cards referring to them shall be filed alphabetically by location. Such reports shall be available for the use and information of the city traffic engineer.
5.08.050 - City traffic engineer.
The office of the city traffic engineer is established. The supervisor of public works shall serve as city traffic engineer in addition to his other functions, and shall exercise the powers and duties with respect to traffic as provided in this title.
5.08.052 - Delegation of authority by the city traffic engineer.
Whenever the term "city traffic engineer" appears in this code, it shall be deemed to mean the traffic engineer of the city of San Rafael, or his their designated and authorized representative.
The designation, delegation, or authorization shall be made by the city traffic engineer himself themself.
5.08.070 - Advisory traffic committee.
There is established an advisory traffic committee to serve without compensation, consisting of the city traffic engineer, the chief of police, the city planner and such number of other city officials as may be determined and appointed by the mayor. The chairman of the committee shall be appointed by the mayor and may be removed by him .
5.08.080 - Duties of advisory traffic committee.
It shall be the duty of the advisory traffic committee to suggest the most practicable means for coordinating the activities of all officers and agencies of the city having authority with respect to the administration or enforcement of traffic regulations; to stimulate and assist in the preparation and publication of traffic reports; to receive complaints having to do with traffic matters; and to recommend to the city council and to the city traffic engineer, engineer, ways and means for improving traffic conditions and the administration and enforcement of traffic regulations.
CHAPTER 5.12 ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
5.12.070 - Exemptions to certain vehicles.
a. The provisions of this title regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of the police or fire department, any public ambulance or any public utility vehicle or any private ambulance, which public utility vehicle or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any vehicle mentioned in this section is operated in the manner specified in the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.
b. The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his their willful disregard of the safety of others. 5 c. The provisions of this title regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a city department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work or any vehicle owned by the United States while in use for the collection, transportation, or delivery of United States mail.
CHAPTER 5.16 TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
5.16.010 - Authority to install traffic control devices. a. The city traffic engineer shall have the power and duty to place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained official traffic control devices when and as required under this title to make effective the provisions of said title.
b. Whenever the Vehicle Code requires that, for the effectiveness of any provision thereof, traffic control devices be installed to give notice to the public of the application of such law, the city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to install or cause to be installed the necessary devices subject to any limitations or restrictions set forth in the law applicable thereto.
c. The city traffic engineer may also place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained such additional traffic control devices as he the city traffic engineer may deem necessary to regulate traffic or to guide or warn traffic, but he the city traffic engineer shall make such determination only upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, limitations and rules as may be set forth in this title or as may be determined by ordinance or resolution of the City Council.
5.16.040 - Installation of traffic signals.
a. The city traffic engineer is hereby directed to install and maintain official traffic signals at those intersections and other places where traffic conditions are such as to require that the flow of traffic be alternately interrupted and released in order to prevent or relieve traffic congestion or to protect life or property from exceptional hazard. b. The city traffic engineer shall ascertain and determine the locations where such signals are required by resort to field observation, traffic counts and other traffic information as may be pertinent and the city traffic engineer’s his determinations therefrom shall be made in accordance with those traffic engineering and safety standards and instructions set forth in the Planning Manual of Instructions, Part 8, "Traffic," issued by the Division of Highways of the State Department of Public Works.
c. Whenever the city traffic engineer installs and maintains an official traffic signal at any intersection, the city traffic engineer he shall likewise erect and maintain at such intersection street name signs visible to the principal flow of traffic unless such street name signs have previously been placed and are maintained at any said intersection.
5.16.070 - Authority to remove, relocate or discontinue traffic control devices.
The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to remove, relocate or discontinue the operation of any traffic control device not specifically required by state law or this title whenever the city traffic engineer he shall determines in any particular case that the conditions which warranted or required the installation no longer exist or obtain.
6 CHAPTER 5.40 - STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING*
5.40.010 - Application of regulations.
a. The provisions of this title prohibiting the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified during the hours and days indicated by signs posted under Section 5.40.100 of this code, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or to obtain compliance with the directions of a police officer, a department of management services employee assigned to the enforcement of parking laws was and regulations, or an official traffic control device. b. The provisions of this title imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code or the laws of the city, prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.
5.40.050 - Parking parallel with curb.
a. Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be stopped or parked within eighteen inches (18″) of the left hand curb facing in the direction of traffic movement upon any one-way street unless signs are in place prohibiting such stopping or standing. b. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway unless signs are in place permitting such standing or parking.
c. The city traffic engineer is authorized to determine when standing or parking shall be prohibited upon the left-hand side of any one-way street or when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any one-way roadway of a highway having two or more separate roadways and shall erect signs giving notice thereof. d. The requirement of parallel parking shall not apply in the event any commercial vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading freight or goods, in which case that vehicle may be backed up to the curb, provided that such vehicle does not extend beyond the center line of the street and does not block traffic thereby.
5.40.070 - Parking adjacent to schools.
a. The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his their opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation. b. When official signs are erected indicating no parking upon that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place.
5.40.100 - Stopping or parking prohibited—Signs required.
The city traffic engineer shall appropriately sign or mark the following places, and when so signed or marked, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any of said places:
a. At any place within twenty feet of a point on the curb immediately opposite the midblock end of a safety zone.
7 b. At any place within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or in any business district, except that a bus may stop at a designated bus stop.
c. Within twenty feet (20′) of the approach to any traffic signal, boulevard stop sign, marked or unmarked crosswalk, or official electric flashing device. d. At any place where the city traffic engineer determines that it is necessary in order to eliminate dangerous traffic hazards.
5.40.140 - Parking—Commercial vehicles and trailers.
A. Residential Districts. No person shall park any commercial vehicle of more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds unladen gross weight, any oversized vehicle, any trailer, semitrailer, utility trailer or auxiliary dolly (as these vehicles are defined in the California Vehicle Code) for more than one (1) hour upon any city street or portion thereof, within any residential district (Chapter 14.04), planned residential development district (Chapter
14.07), public/quasi-public district (Chapter 14.09), or parks/open space district (Chapter
14.10), within the city. For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been parked for longer than the time allowed if it has not been moved at least "out of the block face" after the expiration of the designated time period. A "block face" is defined as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block face sooner than two (2) hours following the expiration of the initial time period.
B. Commercial/Office/Industrial Districts. No person shall park any commercial vehicle of more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds unladen gross weight, any oversized vehicle, any trailer, semi-trailer, utility trailer or auxiliary dolly (as these vehicles are defined in the California Vehicle Code) for more than one (1) hour upon any city street or portion thereof, within any commercial and/or office district (Chapter 14.05), industrial district (Chapter
14.06), planned commercial/office/industrial development district (Chapter 14.07), marinerelated district (Chapter 14.08) or water district (Chapter 14.11) within the city. For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been parked for longer than the time allowed if it has not been moved at least "out of the block face" after the expiration of the designated time period. A "block face" is defined as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block face sooner than two (2) hours following the expiration of the initial time period.
C. Streets in Dual Districts. In circumstances where one side of a section of a particular street is in a residential district (as defined in subsection A of this section), and the other side of the same street is in a commercial district (as defined in subsection B of this section), the following restrictions shall apply:
1. No person shall park any vehicles as described in subsections A and B of this section, on either side of the street in a dual district, between the hours of seven p.m. and seven a.m during the hours and days indicated by posted signage.
2. No person shall park any vehicle as described in subsections A and B of this section, on either side of the street in a dual district for more than one hour, between the hours of seven a.m. and seven p.m during the hours and days indicated by posted signage. 8 D. Loading and Unloading. Commercial vehicles, oversized vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, utility trailers or auxiliary dollies (as these vehicles are defined in the California Vehicle Code) which, in the ordinary course of business, are in the process of safely loading, unloading, or are performing a service to an adjacent property, shall park upon the city street or portion thereof no longer than one (1) hour, or the time necessary to complete the loading, unloading or the performance of the service. For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been parked for longer than the time allowed if it has not been moved at least "out of the block face after the expiration of the designated time period. A "block face" is defined as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two (2) hours following the expiration of the initial time period.
The time necessary to complete loading, unloading or the performance of a service shall only include continuous, uninterrupted loading, unloading or performance of a service in the ordinary course of business. Parking of a commercial vehicle in anticipation of future loading, unloading or performance of a service, or temporary storage of a commercial vehicle on a city street or portion thereof, or the loading or unloading of large or heavy items including, without limitation, salvaged vehicles, vehicle parts, and heavy machinery on the public streets, which is deemed to be an unsafe use of the public streets, shall not be permitted except pursuant to subsection E of this section.
E. Request for Exception.
1. The owner of a commercial vehicle of more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds may apply for a permit to exceed the parking time limits specified herein. The owner shall complete a parking permit application provided by the public works department, and shall pay the appropriate permit fee. The permit fee shall be set in accordance with procedures established by the city for rates, charges and fees. The exception permit shall be for a term of one (1) year, and shall be renewable.
2. Upon the submission of the completed application and fee, the permit application shall be reviewed by the director of public works, who shall consider the following, nonexclusive criteria:
a. Site distances from intersections or driveways that might be affected; b. Traffic patterns and flows at the location;
c. Proximity to any residential district;
d. Nature of the operation or business of which the vehicles are a part; e. The location of the primary place of business of the applicant in relation to the location for which exception is sought;
f. Any other factor reasonably related to commercial vehicle street parking which may affect the public health, safety or welfare.
3. After review, the director shall determine whether or not to issue the exception permit and, if granted, to impose any appropriate conditions upon the permit. The director shall notify, in writing, the applicant, all owners of property abutting the street for which the exception permit is sought, and the local homeowners association, of his decision. 9 An exception permit shall not become final until thirty (30) days after the date this notice was deposited in the mail.
4. Appeal. The applicant and/or any other affected party may, within thirty (30) days of the date notice was deposited in the mail by the director pursuant to subsection (E)(3) of this section, appeal the grant or denial of an exception permit to the city council by presenting to the public works department, a written notice of appeal clearly stating the grounds for the appeal. The council shall hear the appeal at a noticed public hearing and its decision shall be final. The exception permit shall be stayed until the appeal is heard and decided by the city council.
5. Revocation. An exception permit can be revoked by the director for the following, nonexclusive reasons:
a. Violation of any condition placed upon the exception permit; b. A change in any of the circumstances listed in subsection (E)(2) of this section; c. Any facts demonstrating that the vehicle parking permitted under the exception permit is detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.
A permittee may, within thirty (30) days of the date notice of the revocation was deposited in the mail by the director, appeal the revocation by presenting to the public works department, a written notice of appeal clearly stating the grounds for the appeal. The appeal will be heard and decided in the same manner as specified in subsection (E)(4) of this section.
F. E.For purposes of this Chapter, an "oversized vehicle" shall mean any vehicle, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 670, or combination of vehicles, which exceeds twentytwo (22) feet in length, or seven (7) feet in width or eight (8) feet in height, exclusive of projecting lights or devices allowed by Sections 35109 and 35110 of the California Vehicle Code, but including any load in or on a vehicle which effectively causes the vehicle's length, width or height to exceed the standards in this section so as to create potential hazards from sight-line obstructions and/or illegal deposits of waste which this chapter seeks to prevent.
5.40.145 - Stopping, standing, and parking of recreational vehicles—Prohibited.
A. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
1. "Recreational Vehicle" or "RV" shall mean any vehicle or trailer which is capable of human habitation or designed or used for recreational camping or travel use, whether self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, or any structure inspected, approved and designated as a recreational vehicle by and bearing the insignia of the State of California or any other state or federal agency having the authority to approve recreational vehicles. "Recreational vehicle" may include, without limitation, any of the following: a "camp trailer," as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 242; a "fifth wheel travel trailer," as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 324; a "house car," as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 362; a "trailer" as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 630; a "trailer coach," as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 635; a mobile home, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 396; a 10 boat, watercraft, and/or a trailer for a boat or watercraft; a "park trailer" as defined in California Health & Safety Code Section 18009.3; a "recreational vehicle" as defined in California Health & Safety Code Section 18010; and a "truck camper" as defined in California Health & Safety Code Section 18013.4.
2. "Resident" shall mean a person who customarily resides and maintains a place of abode or who owns land within the city. It shall not mean a person who maintains an address at a mailbox drop, or who rents a room which is not his or her their primary place of abode, nor shall it mean a person who maintains only a post office box, unless that person also provides evidence of residence at a street address within the city.
3. "Out-of-town visitor" shall mean any person who does not reside in the city who is temporarily visiting as a guest of a resident of the city, and who has applied for a temporary RV parking permit.
B. Prohibitions.
1. Notwithstanding anything in Section 5.40.140 of this code to the contrary, except as provided in subsections C and D of this section, no person shall park, stop, or leave standing any recreational vehicle upon any public highway or public right-of-way or public property within the city.
2. No person shall display a fraudulent, forged, altered, or counterfeit temporary RV parking permit or permit number with the intent to avoid compliance with this section.
C. Exemptions. The prohibitions in this section shall not apply to any of the following:
1. A recreational vehicle for which a temporary RV parking permit has been issued by the parking services manager as provided in subsection D;
2. A recreational vehicle parked, stopped, or left standing as a result of a mechanical breakdown so as to allow the performance of emergency repairs on the vehicle for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours;
3. Any public emergency vehicle.
D. Temporary RV Parking Permits.
1. Temporary RV Parking Permits—Purpose. The purpose of authorizing the issuance of temporary RV parking permits is to give owners of recreational vehicles the opportunity, for a limited time, to park the recreational vehicle on a public street or highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) their residence for purposes of loading and unloading, and to allow an out-of-town visitor who owns a recreational vehicle to park on a public street or highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) the residence which the out-of-town visitor is visiting for a limited time period, and to allow a recreational vehicle to be used on a temporary basis for a community-serving event, or, in order to provide flexibility in administration, as deemed appropriate by the parking services manager.
2. Temporary RV Parking Permits—Limitations.
11 a. A resident with a temporary RV parking permit who parks, stops, or leaves standing his/her recreational vehicle on a public street or highway other than directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) his/her residence will be subject to citation, towing, or both.
b. An out-of-town visitor with a temporary RV parking permit who parks, stops, or leaves standing his/her recreational vehicle on a public street or highway other than directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) the residence which the out-of-town visitor is visiting will be subject to citation, towing, or both. c. No person shall cause or permit any electrical, water, gas, telephone or other utility connection from any property to a recreational vehicle parked, stopped, or left standing on a public highway or street, including but not limited to electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, or cables, to encroach into any public right-of-way, including across or above any street or sidewalk.
3. Temporary RV Parking Permits—Application and Issuance. The parking services manager or designee, is authorized to issue temporary RV parking permits, pursuant to the following:
a. Residents. Each resident desiring a temporary RV parking permit shall file with the parking services department a completed city application form, signed under penalty of perjury, containing the following:
i. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of the designated recreational vehicle;
ii. The name, address, and phone number of the applicant(s) for the permit; iii. Proof of residency. Acceptable proof of residency must be current and must include a California Driver's License or California Identification Card, and either a property tax bill or a public utility bill;
iv. The registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles for the recreational vehicle or trailer that shows the recreational vehicle is registered in the City of San Rafael;
v. The license number, make, and model of the designated recreational vehicle; vi. The dates for which the permit is requested;
vii. Additional information the parking services department may require. b. Out-of-town visitors. Each out-of-town visitor desiring a temporary RV parking permit shall file with the parking services department a completed city application form, signed under penalty of perjury, containing the following:
i. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of the designated recreational vehicle;
ii. The name, address, and phone number of the applicant(s) for the permit; 12 iii. The registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or equivalent agency for another state, for the recreational vehicle; iv. The name, address, and phone number of the resident that is being visited; v. The license number, make, and model of the designated recreational vehicle; vi. The dates for which the permit is requested;
vii. Additional information the parking services department may require. c. Community-serving uses and others. Each person or organization desiring a temporary RV parking permit shall file with the parking services department a completed city application form, signed under penalty of perjury, containing the following:
i. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of the designated recreational vehicle;
ii. The name, address, and phone number of the applicant(s) for the permit; iii. The registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or equivalent agency for another state, for the recreational vehicle; iv. The event or purpose for which the RV will be parked; v. The license number, make, and model of the designated recreational vehicle; vi. The dates for which the permit is requested;
vii. Additional information the parking services department may require.
4. Temporary RV Parking Permits—Display. Temporary RV parking permits issued and approved by the parking services department shall include the license plate number of the designated recreational vehicle, the date of permit issuance, and the day of permit expiration.
a. Permits shall be displayed in the lower driver's side of the windshield or nearest window of the recreational vehicle for which it has been issued so that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Permits shall be displayed on the side of the recreational vehicle for which it has been issued so that it is visible from the street, which is usually the left side.
b. The parking services manager or designee is authorized to set up a temporary RV parking permit call-in phone number or internet processing system.
5. Temporary RV Parking Permits—Duration.
a. Residents. A temporary RV parking permit issued to a resident shall be valid for one (1) calendar day. An applicant may request no more than three (3) consecutive temporary RV parking permits (a total of three (3) calendar days of parking) at one (1) time. Upon expiration of the permit, the applicant may apply for and be granted additional temporary RV parking permits if the applicant still qualifies under the conditions set forth in this section. In no event shall any person residence and/or 13 designated recreational vehicle be issued more than thirty-six (36) temporary RV parking permits for residents in any calendar year.
b. Out-of-town visitors. A temporary RV parking permit issued to an out-of-town visitor shall be valid for a period not to exceed eight (8) calendar days. Upon expiration of the permit, the applicant may apply for and be granted additional temporary RV parking permits if the applicant still qualifies under the conditions set forth in this section. The temporary RV parking permit will be tied to the residence being visited. In no event shall any person, residence and/or designated recreational vehicle be issued more than twelve (12) temporary RV parking permits for out-of-town visitors in any calendar year.
c. Community-serving uses. A temporary RV parking permit may be issued for a temporary community-serving use, such as a blood drive or mobile library stop, and shall be valid for a period not to exceed twelve (12) hours. In no event shall any person or organization be issued more than twelve (12) temporary RV parking permits for community-serving uses in any calendar year.
6. Other. The parking services manager, in their discretion, may issue temporary RV parking permits for such other purposes, for such time periods, and with such conditions as they shall deem appropriate for the promotion of the public health, safety, or general welfare.
E. Violations. Vehicles violating any provision of this section may be cited and/or immediately removed.
F. Signs. The director of public works shall post streets signs giving notice of the parking prohibitions herein at appropriate locations on any streets within the city, including at the entrances and exits to the city. Such signs shall give notice that vehicles violating this section may be cited/and or towed at the owner's expense.
5.40.180 - Overnight parking on Fourth Street between "E" Street and Lincoln Avenue.
No person shall park a vehicle on Fourth Street between "E" Street and Lincoln Avenue between the hours of three a.m. (3:00 a.m.) and six a.m. (6:00 a.m.) during the hours and days indicated by posted signage of the same day.
5.40.210 - Overnight parking.
No person shall park or cause or permit to be parked any motor vehicle or other vehicle for a greater period than three hours in or upon any street within the city between the hours indicated by posted signage. of 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the same day.
5.40.230 - Parking vehicles exceeding six feet in height near intersections. a. The city traffic engineer is authorized to place signs adjacent to any intersection indicating that no person shall park or leave standing a vehicle which is six feet or more in height, within one hundred feet of said intersection, when in his their opinion parking of such vehicles would so restrict sight distance as to cause a traffic hazard. b. When official signs have been erected as authorized in this section, no person shall park or leave standing a vehicle which is six feet or more in height, including any loading thereon, within one hundred feet of that intersection.
14 CHAPTER 5.44 - STOPPING FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING ONLY
5.44.020- Curb markings to indicate no-stopping and no-parking regulations.
A. The city traffic engineer is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this title, to place and when required in this chapter shall place, the following curb markings to indicate parking or standing regulations, and said curb markings shall have the meanings as set forth in this section:
1. "Red" means no stopping, standing or parking at any time except as permitted by the Vehicle Code, and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.
2. "Yellow" means no stopping, standing or parking at any time between seven am. and six pm. of any day except Sundays and holidays during the hours and days indicated by posted signage for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials; provided that the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty minutes.
3. "White" means no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers, or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mail box, which shall not exceed three minutes at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays; provided during the hours and days indicated by posted signage, however:
a. When such a white zone is in front of a motel or in front of a mail box, the restrictions shall apply at all times; and
b. When such a white zone is in from front of a theater, restaurant, or other place of public assembly, the restrictions shall apply at all times except when such theater, restaurant or other place of public assembly is closed for business or assembly.
4. "Green" means no standing or parking for longer than twenty minutes at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day, except Sundays and holidays during the hours and days indicated by posted signage. Green zones shall be restricted to federal, state, county or municipal buildings serving the general public.
5. "Blue" means parking is limited at all times exclusively to the vehicles of physically handicapped persons. For the purposes of this section, "physically handicapped persons" will be those as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 22511.7.
5.44.030- Effect of permission to load or unload.
A. Permission herein granted to stop or stand a vehicle for purposes of loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial vehicles and shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefore, and in no event for more than twenty minutes.
B. The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, the delivery or pick up of express and parcel post packages and United States mail. 15 C. Permission herein granted to stop or park for purposes of loading or unloading passengers shall include the loading or unloading of personal baggage, but shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefore and in no event for more than three minutes.
D. Within the total time limits above specified, the provision of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading, but without permitting abuses of the privileges hereby granted.
Chapter 5.60 - PARKING REGULATIONS
5.60.010 - Downtown parking zone.
The city streets located within the following boundaries, including both sides of each street named herein, are established as the downtown parking zone:
A. Northern boundary shall be Mission Avenue;
B. Southern boundary shall be Second Street;
C. Western boundary shall be H Street;
D. Eastern boundary shall be Hetherton Street.
5.60.015 – Establishment of zones.
The City Council, on the recommendation of the parking services manager or their designee, shall by resolution from time to time as parking conditions require, designate paid parking zones, upon such streets or portions of streets of the City of San Rafael as are selected for the location of paid parking zones; and the parking service manager or their designee shall install or cause to be installed appropriate paid parking devices and signage and shall cause paid parking spaces to be designated within paid parking zones in such numbers and in such places as may be necessary for the regulation, control and inspection of the vehicles therein.
5.60.020 - Installation and maintenance of parking revenue equipment paid parking devices.
The parking services manager is authorized and directed to install, maintain and operate the necessary parking revenue equipment paid parking devices along streets located in the designated downtown parking zone, subject to such exceptions as may be approved by city council resolution, and in such off-street parking facilities operated by the city as shall be specified by council resolution, for the purpose of, and in such numbers, and at such places, and for such days and hours, as to provide for the efficient control and regulation of the parking of vehicles therein.
5.60.030 - Parking time limits.
The parking services manager is authorized and directed to establish maximum time limits for both fee and non-fee parking spaces located within the downtown parking zone in order to facilitate long and short-term visitor access to destinations within the downtown parking zone. The maximum time limit, days and hours of operation, parking rate, and payments accepted by parking revenue equipment paid parking devices shall be indicated on said parking revenue equipment paid parking device.
16 5.60.040 - Curb or street lines or markings.
The city traffic engineer shall have lines or markings painted or placed upon curbs and streets to designate parking spaces where fees will be collected by parking revenue equipment paid parking devices or where parking duration will be restricted by a maximum time limit.
The city parking services manager shall have lines or markings painted or placed in off-street parking locations. Each vehicle parked in areas lined and marked in said fashion shall park within the lines or markings so established. It is unlawful to park a vehicle of such size or in such a position that the same shall not be entirely within the space designated by such lines or markings.
5.60.050 - Unlawful parking in on-street parking spaces.
A. It is unlawful for any person between the hours of eight a.m. (8:00 a.m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.) during the hours and days indicated by posted signage of any day to cause or permit any vehicle registered in his their name or operated by him them to be parked continuously in any parking space equipped with parking revenue equipment paid parking devices within the downtown parking zone, for more than the maximum period of time indicated on said parking revenue equipment paid parking device, or any time during which the parking revenue equipment paid parking device indicates that the space is illegally in use, except during the time necessary to make payment at the parking revenue equipment paid parking device. and excepting also during the time from six p.m. (6:00 p.m.) to eight a.m. (8:00 a.m.), and on Sundays and parking holidays.
B. It is unlawful for any person to circumvent, displace, break, or overcome control mechanisms in any on-street parking area operated by the city in order to avoid payment of parking fees. The issuance and review of notices of parking violation and delinquent parking violation, and the liability for and payment and collection of parking violation penalties, shall be governed by Sections 40200 et seq. of the California Vehicle Code.
5.60.051 - Parking holidays.
Parking fees will not be due or collected on the following holidays as designated by the United States and State of California: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Day, Presidents' Day, Caesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day in Section 5.04.020 of this code. The city council may designate days of observance of some of these holidays when city offices are closed and some city services are not provided. In such instances the parking holiday shall be the actual federal or state holiday, not the day of city observance.
5.60.052 - Unlawful parking in off-street parking spaces.
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit any vehicle registered in his their name or operated by him them to be parked continuously in any fee parking space within any ungated off-street parking facility operated by the city during the posted days and hours of operation of that facility without having paid parking fees as posted within said facility during posted days and hours of facility operation except for time necessary to make payment at the parking revenue equipment paid parking device.
B. It is unlawful for any person to circumvent, displace, break, or overcome control mechanisms in any off-street parking facility operated by the city in order to avoid payment of parking fees. The issuance and review of notices of parking violation and delinquent 17 parking violation, and the liability for and payment and collection of parking violation penalties, shall be governed by Sections 40200 et seq. of the California Vehicle Code.
C. It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit any vehicle registered in his their name or operated by him them to be removed from any gated off-street parking facility operated by the city until all fees, rates and charges have been paid and discharged, except as provided in subsections 1 and 2 below:
1. In the event that the person operating a vehicle parked in any gated off-street parking facility operated by the city attempts to remove the vehicle from the facility but is unable to pay all fees, rates and charges due at such time, such person shall, prior to removing such vehicle from the facility, be required to sign an agreement to pay any unpaid fees, rates and charges. A copy of such agreement shall be given to the person signing the agreement. Such agreement shall set forth the location of the facility, the date and approximate time that the vehicle is removed, the name of such person, the vehicle license number, the registration expiration date, if visible, the last four digits of the vehicle identification number, if available, the color of the vehicle, and, if possible, the make of the vehicle. Such agreement shall require payment to the city of all unpaid fees, rates and charges, plus a processing fee in an amount established by city council resolution, no later than seven (7) days after the agreement is signed, and shall indicate the address to which payment may be delivered or sent. If full payment is not made within such seven (7) day period, the parking services manager shall mail a notice of late payment to the vehicle's registered owner. Such notice shall require payment to the city of the unpaid fees, rates and charges, and processing fee, plus a late payment fee in an amount established by city council resolution, no later than seven (7) days after the date of such notice. In the event that such amount is not fully paid within such seven (7) day period, a notice of parking violation, requiring payment of a penalty in an amount established by city council resolution, shall be mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. The above agreement shall include a reference to this section.
2. When any vehicle remains parked in a gated off-street parking facility operated by the city at the close of such lot's hours of operation, the facility attendant shall record the location of the facility, the date and approximate time, the vehicle license number, the registration expiration date and the last four (4) digits of the vehicle identification number, if visible, the color of the vehicle, and, if possible, the make of the vehicle. A numbered notice shall be attached to the vehicle requesting that all fees, rates and charges that have accrued and are due be paid at a parking revenue machine before the vehicle is removed from the facility. The notice shall also require that the operator of the vehicle record the notice number and vehicle license plate number on the parking facility ticket issued to the vehicle operator at the time the vehicle entered the parking facility. In the event that full payment is not deposited and collected on the next day of facility operation, the parking services manager shall mail a notice of late payment to the vehicle's registered owner. Such notice shall require payment to the city of the unpaid fees, rates and charges, and add a late payment fee in an amount established by city council resolution. In the event that such amount is not fully paid within such seven (7) day period, a notice of parking violation, requiring payment of a penalty in an amount established by city council resolution, shall be mailed to the 18 vehicle's registered owner. The notice attached to the vehicle shall include a reference to this section.
D. By entering an off-street parking facility operated by the city and parking a vehicle in such facility, the owner, operator or person in charge of such vehicle shall be deemed to have consented to the provisions of subsections (C)(1) and (C)(2) above. Any notices required to be mailed under this section, shall be deemed served on the day that they are deposited in the U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid. The issuance and review of notices of parking violation and delinquent parking violation, and the liability for and payment and collection of parking violation penalties, shall be governed by Sections 40200 et seq. of the California Vehicle Code.
5.60.053 - Overnight parking prohibited; no parking times.
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit any vehicle registered in his their name or operated by him them to be parked in any parking space in an off-street parking facility operated by the city in excess of twenty-four (24) consecutive hours without that person having obtained from the parking services manager an overnight parking permit. In the event a vehicle is left parked or standing in a city parking facility for twenty-four (24) or more consecutive hours, any member of the police department of the city of San Rafael, or any city employee assigned to the enforcement of parking laws and regulations, may remove the vehicle from the parking facility in the manner and subject to the requirements of the California Vehicle Code.
B. The parking services manager is authorized and directed to designate times when no parking shall be allowed in off-street parking facilities operated by the city. It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit any vehicle registered in his their name or operated by him them to be parked in a parking space in an off-street parking facility operated by the city at times when no parking has been so designated for such facility.
5.60.060 - Rates charged for use of parking spaces.
The rates for use of parking spaces located within the downtown parking zone and in off-street parking facilities operated by the city shall be set forth by city council resolution.
5.60.080 - Deposit of payment required.
When a vehicle is parked in any space regulated by a paid parking device within a paid parking zone, established in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, the operator of said vehicle shall, upon entering said parking space or zone, immediately initiate a parking session using a method of payment approved by the parking services manager, according to the time interval desired within the maximum limit and the posted parking rates, unless the paid parking device indicates at the time such vehicle is parked that an unexpired portion remains of the period of time for which a payment has previously been deposited. When any vehicle is parked in any parking space for use of which a fee is required as provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the operator of the vehicle upon parking shall, and it is unlawful to fail to, deposit immediately United States coins, currency, or other such payment that is available and/or operational for parking spaces located within the downtown parking zones and in off-street parking facilities operated by the city.
5.60.090 - Improper use of parking revenue equipment paid parking device. 19 It is unlawful to deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking revenue equipment paid parking device, any slug, device or nonaccepted payment material, or to deface, injure, tamper with, open, willfully break, remove, destroy, circumvent, or impair the usefulness of any parking revenue equipment paid parking device installed pursuant to this chapter.
5.60.100 - Notice of parking violation.
It shall be the duty of each police officer or employee of the police department as designated by the police chief, and any city employee assigned to enforce parking laws and regulations, or an agent of the city to observe any vehicles that are parked in violation of this chapter or the California Vehicle Code, and to issue and attach to such vehicles a notice of parking violation as provided by law.
5.60.120 - Disposition and use of revenue.
The depositing of payment in parking revenue equipment paid parking devices as provided in this chapter is levied and assessed as fees for the purposes provided in this section. All receipts accruing to the city from the operation of parking revenue equipment paid parking devices shall be expended for the following purposes: the acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of parking revenue machines, parking revenue equipment collection and enforcement and expenses incidental thereto; the acquisition by purchase, condemnation or lease, installation, improvement, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of off-street parking facilities and expenses incidental thereto, including costs and expenses incurred in condemnation proceedings whether successfully concluded or abandoned; and expenses incurred in connection with proposals or proceedings for acquisition of off-street parking facilities, whether such proposals or proceedings are carried out or abandoned. Excess revenue not expended for the foregoing purposes shall be kept as reserves in the city's parking services fund or expended for any lawful purpose.
A. For the purchasing, leasing, installing, inspecting, repairing, maintaining, operating, removing, regulating, enforcing, and managing paid parking devices in the city and for the payment of any and all expenses related or incidental thereto; B. For the proper regulation, control, and inspection of parking and traffic upon the public streets;
C. For painting and marking of streets and curbs required for the direction of traffic and parking of motor vehicles;
D. For the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices and signals; E. For increasing the parking supply through purchasing, leasing, and acquiring off-street parking facilities in the city, including inspecting, repairing, maintaining, operating, regulating, enforcing, and managing said facilities;
F. For managing the existing parking inventory, including such measures as, but not limited to, parking evaluations, reconfiguration of existing on-street parking inventory, employee parking programs, and reducing excessive red curb;
G. For providing mobility (parking and access) information through wayfinding signage or media (maps, videos, apps, or other tools), which communicates the location, availability, 20 cost, and other pertinent information of parking options and provides navigation in and between the parking meter zone;
H. For providing funding for community shuttles or circulator systems with the goals to connect passengers to and from the parking meter zone, to reduce parking demand in the meter zone, and to assist in the mobility of those parked around the parking meter zone; I. For enhancing mobility within parking meter zones and facilitating the use of alternative forms of transportation to reduce parking demand (e.g., community shuttles, public transit, bicycling, and walking) through activities and improvements including, but not limited to, designing and installing: bike and pedestrian amenities (bike parking, corrals, and bike lanes; pedestrian ramps, crossings, pop-outs, sidewalks, countdown indicators, rectangular rapid flashing beacons); signage; and shuttle stops.
DIVISION 2. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance.
The City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby declares that it would have adopted the Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases shall be declared invalid.
DIVISION 3. CEQA Determination.
The City Council finds that adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to 14 CCR Section 15378(b)(5), in that the action does not meet CEQA's definition of a “project,” because the action does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
DIVISION 4. Publication; Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall be published once, in full or in summary form, before its final passage, in a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of San Rafael, and shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its final passage. If published in summary form, the summary shall also be published within fifteen (15) days after the adoption, together with the names of those Council members voting for or against same, in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City of San Rafael, County of Marin, State of California. Within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall also post in the office of the City Clerk a certified copy of the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those Councilmembers voting for and against the Ordinance.
THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was first read and introduced at a regular meeting of the San Rafael City Council on the 15th day of June 2026, and was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the San Rafael City Council on the 20th day of July 2026 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
21 ______________________________
Kate Colin, Mayor
Attest: _____________________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2067
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AMENDING TITLE 5 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE PARKING REGULATIONS,
TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION, AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
This Summary concerns a proposed Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Rafael, designated as Ordinance No. 2067, which will amend various provisions of Title 5 (Traffic Regulations) of the San Rafael Municipal Code relating to parking regulations, traffic administration, and enforcement. The Ordinance updates and modernizes parking regulations to reflect current practices and technologies, including the use of paid parking devices such as meters, pay stations, and mobile payment systems. The Ordinance also clarifies and standardizes parking rules across both on-street and off-street parking facilities operated by the City. The proposed Ordinance amendment also clarifies City staff titles and authorities, removes gendered pronouns, and updates the list of parking holidays. Additional amendments include updates to definitions, establishment of paid parking zones by resolution, clarification of the authority of the City Traffic Engineer and Parking Services Manager, and refinement of rules related to commercial vehicles. Ordinance No. 2067 is scheduled for adoption by the San Rafael City Council at its regular meeting of July 20, 2026. The City Clerk has been directed to publish this Summary pursuant to City Charter and California Government Code section 36933(c)(1).
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE
This Ordinance amends multiple chapters of Title 5 (Traffic) of the San Rafael Municipal Code to modernize and clarify parking and traffic regulations. Key amendments include:
• Updating and adding definitions, including “paid parking device” and “paid parking zone”; • Clarifying the authority of the City Traffic Engineer and Parking Services Manager; • Establishing a framework for paid parking zones to be designated by City Council resolution;
• Standardizing regulations governing paid parking devices across on-street and off-street facilities;
• Updating parking enforcement provisions to align with the California Vehicle Code; • Revising regulations related to commercial vehicles, oversized vehicles, and recreational vehicles; and
• Making technical and formatting corrections throughout Title 5 for clarity and consistency.
• CEQA Determination: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15378(b)(5) These amendments ensure that the Municipal Code reflects current parking practices, improves enforceability, and enhances the City’s ability to manage parking resources effectively. For a complete copy of the text of the Ordinance amending the Municipal Code, please contact the City Clerk at [email protected] or (415) 485-3066. Copies of the Ordinance containing this Municipal Code amendment are also available for public review at the San Rafael City Clerk’s office, 1400 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor, Room 209, during regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
/s/______________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
San Rafael City Clerk - Dated: Friday June 19, 2026