To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Steve Potter, City Manager
Prepared By: Molly Rattigan, Deputy City Manager; Chris Pacheco, Lieutenant; and Tony Valadez, Code Compliance Manager
TITLE:
Title
Amendment of Napa Municipal Code Section 10.36.090-Parking Exceeding 72 Hours
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending Napa Municipal Code Section 10.36.090 related to parking exceeding 72 hours and determining the action to be exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Background
Napa Municipal Code Section 10.36.090 pertains to restrictions on parking vehicles on City streets in excess of 72 hours. This section of the code has not been updated since 1954, and is challenging to enforce because there is no standard definition of “parking space” and how far a vehicle needs to move to be considered not in violation of the City’s municipal code.
City staff have received an increasing number of complaints related to parking on City streets, particularly in residential areas. Parking standards have changed since 1954, particularly as it relates to meeting housing production goals through State incentives designed to increase housing density which can sometimes allow concessions related to on-site parking standards. Complaints received generally pertain to not using garages and driveways for their intended purpose of parking, or overflow vehicles being parked in the same general spot for days, weeks, and sometimes months without significant movement.
Proposed Amendments
This proposed ordinance deletes the current language in Napa Municipal Code Section 10.36.090 and replaces it in its entirety with updated language.
Specifically, this ordinance defines how far a vehicle needs to move every 72 hours to comply with this section of the Municipal Code. Vehicles will need to move at least 1,320 feet to a new parking spot every 72 hours, or only 100 feet if the vehicle is parked on the street in which it is legally and actively registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
California Vehicle Code
California Vehicle Section 22651(k) authorizes cities to remove a vehicle located within its jurisdiction if a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance authorizing removal. This Ordinance provides any member of the police department to remove a vehicle that has not been moved for 72 hours.
Implementation
If this first reading is approved by the City Council, the item will return on the December 17, 2024, consent calendar for final adoption. City staff will use the 30 days following December 17, 2024, to provide bilingual information and outreach to vehicles that would potentially be in violation of the City’s ordinance on the effective date of January 17, 2025.
Available City resources will be prioritized to respond to complaints received through the City’s Online Service Center.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There is no financial impact related to the adoption of the proposed Ordinance.
CEQA:
City staff recommends that the City Council determine that the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (minor alteration of existing streets and sidewalks).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Ordinance
ATCH 2 - Public Comments Rec’vd by 11/22/2024
NOTIFICATION:
Legal notice of public hearing published in the Napa Valley Register on November 23, 2024.
Information on the proposed changes was posted on the City website, in City newsletters, and on social media in November 2024.
Additionally, staff provided notification directly to community members that have made contact about this issue.