(Amended by Ord. No. 171,029, Eff. 6/1/96.)
(a) Definitions: For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as hereinafter set out, unless it shall be apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:
1. A commuter vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle parked in a residential area which is not owned, leased or otherwise controlled by:
a. A resident who lives in the area designated as a preferential parking district;
b. A guest visiting residents living in the area designated as a preferential parking district.
2. Resident shall mean person who lives in a dwelling unit located in a preferential parking district.
3. Absentee landlord shall mean an owner of residential property who does not live on the property. Such property shall be located in a preferential parking district.
4. Guest shall mean a person who is visiting in a dwelling located in a preferential parking district.
5. Preferential parking district shall mean a residential area with streets and boundaries designated by a City Council resolution wherein vehicles displaying a valid permit shall be exempt from parking restrictions established pursuant to this section.
(b) Designation of Preferential Parking District: Preferential parking districts may be designated or dissolved, including those created by ordinance, by a City Council resolution.
The City Council shall, upon recommendation of the Department, consider for designation as preferential parking districts those areas satisfying the criteria established in this section for said districts.
If the Council determines that the criteria, rules and procedures required in this section have been met, it may establish, by resolution, preferential parking districts with appropriate boundaries and parking restrictions. Motor vehicles displaying a valid parking permit may be parked exempt from the parking restrictions established pursuant to the authority of this section in the preferential parking district for which the permit is issued.
(c) Designation Process and Criteria: The Department shall prepare Rules and Procedures for the designation of Preferential Parking Districts setting forth the petition process, the hearing and notification processes, reporting requirements, criteria for designation of a preferential parking district and for the implementation and administration of this section. Those rules and procedures, and any substantial changes thereto, shall be effective upon approval by the City Council.
(d) Temporary Preferential Parking Districts:
1. Temporary preferential parking districts may be established by Council resolution to provide relief for residents who suffer an excessive parking impact as a result of a natural disaster such as fire, flood, earthquake, or landslide; as the result of an occurrence that creates unusual media attention; or as the result of any conditions which impact fewer than six blocks and which, in the judgment of the Council member of the District and after consultation with the Parking Administrator, deserve immediate relief until a permanent solution can be found.
2. The Council shall accept testimony and make a finding that an adverse parking impact exists prior to approving the resolution.
3. Any District established pursuant to this section, shall be limited in duration to a maximum of 12 months from the date of approval of the resolution. Such district may be renewed on an annual basis administratively by the General Manager of the Department until either a permanent solution is found or the problem ceases to exist. If a Council member requests in writing to review a temporary preferential parking district prior to the expiration of the district, the Department shall not renew the district and shall submit a written report to the City Council. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,703, Eff. 10/15/13.)
4. The Department shall post the streets included in the temporary district upon receipt of the necessary petitions.
5. Residents shall be required to purchase permits in accordance with established requirements in order to retain the district.
(e) Issuance of Permits: Parking permits for preferential parking districts shall be issued by the Department.
1. Each annual parking permit shall be designated to state or reflect thereon the particular preferential parking district, the license number of the vehicle for which the permit is issued and the date on which the permit shall expire.
2. No more than three Annual parking permits shall be issued to any one dwelling unit as defined in Section 12.03 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code except at the discretion of the Department, which discretion is consistent with the Department rules adopted pursuant to Subsection (k) hereof.
3. Parking permits may be issued only to residents of the preferential parking district.
4. Four-month Visitor permits shall be issued as provided in Subsection (m).
5. One-day Guest permits shall be issued as provided in Subsection (m).
6. Applicants for any parking permits are required to clear all unpaid parking citations prior to the issuance of new permits or renewals for Annual or Visitor Permits.
f. Posting of Permit Parking Area: Upon designation of a preferential parking district, the Department shall cause appropriate signs to be erected in the district, indicating prominently thereon the parking limitation, period of the day for its application, and the fact that motor vehicles with valid permits shall be exempt therefrom. Parking restrictions signs may be posted on school and church frontages located within the district.
g. Permit Parking Exemption:
1. A motor vehicle on which is displayed a valid Annual one-day Guest parking permit, as provided for herein, shall be permitted to be parked on any block within the preferential parking district for which it is issued without being limited by parking restrictions established pursuant to this section. A motor vehicle on which is displayed a valid four-month Visitor permit, as provided for herein, shall be permitted to be parked in a preferential parking district only on the block or blocks for which the permit is issued without being limited by parking restrictions on that block or blocks established pursuant to this section. Except as provided below, all other motor vehicles parked within a preferential parking district shall be subject to the parking restrictions adopted as provided in this section as well as the penalties provided for herein.
2. A preferential parking permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder thereof an on-street parking space within the designated preferential parking district.
3. The following vehicles shall be exempt from parking restrictions established pursuant to this section:
a. A motor vehicle, identified as owned by or operated under contract to a utility, whether privately, municipally or publicly owned, when used in the construction, operation, removal, or repair of utility property or facilities or engaged in authorized work in the designated preferential parking district.
b. A motor vehicle when identified as owned by or operated under contract to a governmental agency, when used in the course of official government business.
c. A vehicle which displays either a distinguishing license plate or placard issued pursuant to Sections 22511.5 or 22511.9 of the Vehicle Code.
(h) Exemption of Commercial Vehicles: No person shall without a permit therefor park or leave standing any commercial vehicle or trailer in a preferential parking district in excess of the parking restrictions authorized pursuant to this section, except
(a) while loading or unloading property; or
(b) when such vehicle is parked in connection with, or in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked.
(i) Application for and Duration of Permit: Except as otherwise provided, each Annual parking permit issued by the Department shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year. Permits may be renewed annually upon reapplication in the manner required by the Department. Each application for a parking permit shall contain information sufficient to identify the applicant, his residence address or address of real property owned or leased within a preferential parking district, the license number(s) of the motor vehicle(s) for which application is made, and such other information as may be deemed relevant by the Department. Annual permits may be issued only for vehicles registered in the State of California.
(j) Annual Permit Fees: The fee for an Annual preferential parking permit shall be $34.00. The fee for an Annual preferential parking permit shall be prorated by the month for the unexpired period of the district, but in no case less than $11.50. Upon the permittee's change of place of residence, change of vehicle or damaged permit, the permittee shall surrender the permit to the Department before a replacement permit can be issued. If the permit is lost or stolen, the Department shall be notified immediately. The Department shall collect a fee of $11.50 for replacement of lost, stolen or transferred permits and the replacement permit shall expire on the same day as the original permit. In the event a permittee moves from one preferential parking district to another preferential parking district, the Department shall collect a fee of $11.50 for the transfer of the permit. The permits so transferred shall expire on the same day as do all permits in the new district. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of the permit's duration. (Amended by Ord. No. 180,059, Eff. 8/30/08.)
(k) Rules and Regulations: The Department shall have authority to promulgate and administer rules to implement and enforce the program and to implement the issuance of preferential parking permits and the collection of fees for these permits. These rules shall be submitted to and approved by the City Council.
(l) Penalty Provisions:
1. Unless exempted pursuant to this section, no person shall stand or park a motor vehicle in violation of any parking restrictions established pursuant to this section.
2. No person shall falsely represent himself or herself as eligible for a parking permit or furnish false information in an application for a parking permit to the Department.
3. No permit issued pursuant to this section shall thereafter be assigned, transferred or used for any consideration, monetary or otherwise.
4. No person shall copy, produce or create a facsimile or counterfeit parking permit; nor shall any person use or display a facsimile or counterfeit preferential parking district permit.
5. The permit or permits of any person who after a hearing has been found by the Department to have violated any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be revoked by the Department and no new permit shall be issued to that person or household for a period of one year. Such person upon written notification of such revocation, shall surrender the permit or permits to the Department within 15 days. Use of a revoked parking permit shall be subject to the penalty provisions of Subsection l(1).
6. Use of a four-month Visitor parking permit on any block other than that for which the permit was issued shall be subject to the penalty provisions of Subsection l(1).
(m) Visitor and Guest Permits: Any resident eligible for an Annual preferential parking permit and whose residence has frontage or side frontage on a block posted with preferential parking restrictions may apply to the Department for a four-month Visitor preferential parking permit for the use of visitors to the person's residence. The owners of a residence under construction and absentee landlords may purchase a maximum of two Visitor preferential parking permits for their personal use or for the use of construction service personnel. Schools and churches that have frontage onto streets posted with preferential parking restrictions shall be permitted to purchase Visitor preferential parking permits equivalent to the number of parking spaces allowable on its posted (otherwise unrestricted) frontage. Where the frontage is limited, the number of permits to be sold shall be determined by the Department of Transportation. The Department shall collect a fee of $22.50 for each permit issued. No more than two Visitor preferential parking permits shall be issued for any one dwelling at any one time. These permits shall be valid only on the block or blocks for which they are issued and for a period not to exceed four months. One Visitor preferential parking permit per year per household can be replaced at a prorated cost when lost or stolen if the applicant submits written documentation of actual loss to the Department. In addition, any resident in the district may also apply for one-day Guest preferential parking permits for the use of guests to the person's residence for which the Department shall collect a fee of $2.50 for each permit issued. Guest preferential parking permits shall be valid on any block within a district. (Amended by Ord. No. 180,059, Eff. 8/30/08.)