City to require parking permit

Council wants to restrict oversized vehicles from parking on streets

Pomona residents who wish to park their RVS, campers or other oversized vehicles overnight in front of their homes will need a city permit to do so.

The Pomona City Council last week voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that would prohibit large vehicles from parking more than four hours during the day and between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. on city streets and parking lots.

The move is the result of complaints regarding the stopping and parking of large vehicles, which take up residential parking spaces, blocking lines of sight and creating a safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

The parking of oversized vehicles also “degrades the aesthetic appearances of the city’s streetscape,” according to a city report.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about human waste from homeless people who live in the vehicles, Pomona police Lt. Ryan Rodriguez told the City Council.

“A lot of these (vehicles) don’t have running water or plumbing that work,” Rodriguez said, “So naturally what are they gonna do? They go on the sidewalk, on the grass in front of people’s homes. I see it all the time.”

Certain large vehicles parked for long periods often attract illegal activity, such as prostitution and narcotics, Rodriguez said.

The ordinance approved by the council targets oversized and non-motorized vehicles that exceed 19 feet in length or 6 feet in height. Any mirror extension or accessory attached to such a vehicle is included in the measured size of the vehicle, the ordinance said.

Exceptions include any commercial vehicles loading, unloading or delivering goods and any vehicles with a valid permit.

Residents who own an oversized vehicle can apply for a permit to park on a public street for up to 48 hours, up to four times a month. The city cannot issue more than 12 permits in any calendar year to a resident, specific property or a specific large vehicle under the ordinance.

Out-of-town guests can apply for a permit through residents who can prove their residency within the city. The ordinance specifies any permit must be obtained at least seven calendar days prior to the effective date of the permit.

The price for permits will be determined at a later time and may be established through a separate resolution by the council, according to the city.

Violators of the ordinance will receive a parking citation and be subject to towing if authorized by the chief of police. Any citation issued will have the chance to be appealed if any individual is wrongly issued one, Rodriguez said.

Council Member John Nolte raised concerns the ordinance might target families and individuals who might be living out of their vehicles. But Rodriguez assured the council that the goal is to go after those intentionally violating the ordinance.

Mayor Tim Sandoval said if the city comes across families living out of any such large vehicle, they would be connected to support services to try to get them housing.

“When I think about families living in RVS out of necessity, I know our team is gonna do everything it can to assist that family,” Sandoval said at the meeting. “We want to get them into housing immediately.”

The ordinance is expected to go into effect 30 days after the council’s second reading of the proposed ordinance.