Chapter 9.27
SHOPPING CARTS

Section:

9.27.010   Purpose.

9.27.020   Applicability.

9.27.030   Declaration of a public nuisance.

9.27.040   Definitions.

9.27.050   Required signs on cart.

9.27.060   Daily cart retrieval.

9.27.070   Abandoned cart prevention plan required.

9.27.080   Plan approval or denial and penalties.

9.27.090   Plan modification.

9.27.100   Business owner changes.

9.27.110   Authority to impound.

9.27.120   Impoundment.

9.27.130   Option for immediate impoundment.

9.27.140   Unlawful acts.

9.27.150   Notice of violation on identified and unidentified carts.

9.27.160   Final disposition of unclaimed carts.

9.27.170   Enforcement.

9.27.010 Purpose.

   The accumulation of wrecked, dismantled and abandoned shopping carts on public or private property also tends to create conditions that reduce property values, promoting blight and deterioration in the city. The intent of this chapter is to ensure that measures are taken by store owners to prevent the unauthorized removal of shopping carts from store premises and parking lots, to make the removal of carts a violation of this code and to facilitate the retrieval and disposition of abandoned carts found off the premises of retail establishments as permitted by state law. Further, this chapter is intended to supplement existing state law regarding shopping carts as set forth in California Business and Professions Code Section 22435, et seq.

(Ord. 2593 §1 (part))

9.27.020 Applicability.

   This chapter applies to all businesses located in the City of Chico that provide carts for customer use and to all carts on and off premises of business within the City of Chico.

(Ord. 2593 §1 (part))

9.27.030 Declaration of a public nuisance.

   The City Council finds and determines that any cart outside of the immediate business property or premises and control of the business owner is a public nuisance. Carts may contain trash/waste and other debris that can be potential hazards to the health and safety of the public. When wrecked, dismantled or abandoned, carts accumulate on public or private property, creates conditions that are dangerous, environmentally harmful, and contribute to the deterioration of property values. Carts are generally known to promote blight and deterioration, can obstruct free access to public and private sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and interfere with pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as emergency services. These conditions, in addition to the removal from an owners' premises, constitute a public nuisance.

(Ord. 2593 §1 (part))