Chapter 8.70
Abandoned Shopping Carts Presentation
August 3, 2026
PLANNING & COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
DEPARTMENT NAME
SUMMARY
1 Staff is seeking to direction from Council to update Chapter 8.70 Abandoned Shopping Carts by:
Update the amount for recovery cost per approved Senate Bill (SB) 753.
Add language to include cart containment systems to all new construction or remodels. 2 3
4 6
visalia.gov
DEPARTMENT NAME
visalia.gov
Update to Section 8.70.060 Enforcement & Remedies per SB 753 The city may exercise the following remedies:
Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 22435.7, any owner that fails to retrieve its abandoned cart(s) within 3 business days after receiving notice, shall pay the city's administrative costs for retrieving the cart(s). Any owner who fails to retrieve abandoned carts in accordance with this chapter in excess of 3 times during a specified 6-month period shall be subject to a $100 fine for each occurrence. An occurrence includes all carts owned by the owner that impounded by the city a one (1)-day period.
DEPARTMENT NAME
visalia.gov
Fines are only being increased for abandoned cart retrieval, fines are not being increased for non-installation of locking mechanism on a property.
As noted in report, 1,630 shopping carts collected in 2025.
Clarification of fines being increased for abandoned carts only.
DEPARTMENT NAME
visalia.gov
Update to Section 8.70.030 Cart
Containment System Required
New Addition to Chapter 8.70
Staff recommends the following be included in the ordinance update:
A cart owner shall be required to install a physical containment system when the cart owner establishes a new facility utilizing carts for customers or when any improvements or expansions occur with a value in excess of $50,000.00.
Thank you