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ORDINANCE AMENDING STOCKTON MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 10, CHAPTER 10.04, SECTION 10.04.600, “USE OF STREET FOR STORAGE OF VEHICLES PROHIBITED” TO CLARIFY WHEN A VEHICLE IS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PARKED OR LEFT STANDING FOR 72 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE HOURS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt an ordinance amending Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) Title 10, Chapter 10.04, Section 10.04.600 to clarify that a vehicle may not be parked or left standing upon a street or alley for 72 or more consecutive hours and establishing an objective standard for determining whether a vehicle has been moved during the applicable 72-hour period; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the ordinance.
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Summary
The proposed amendment would clarify SMC Section 10.04.600, which currently prohibits a person who owns or has possession, custody, or control of a vehicle from parking the vehicle upon a street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. The current provision does not establish a specific standard for determining whether a vehicle has been moved sufficiently to restart the 72-hour period.
The proposed amendment would establish a clear and objective standard by providing that a vehicle will be considered to have remained parked or left standing for 72 or more consecutive hours if it has remained inoperable or has not been moved at least 300 feet from its previous stopping point during the applicable 72-hour period. The amendment is intended to provide greater clarity and consistency in enforcement and to address circumstances in which a vehicle is moved only a minimal distance and then left in substantially the same location.
DISCUSSION
Background
SMC Section 10.04.600 currently lacks a clear standard for what constitutes sufficient vehicle movement to restart the 72-hour parking limit. Consequently, owners can technically comply by moving a vehicle only a few inches, leaving underlying neighborhood conditions unchanged. This nominal adjustment fails to address community concerns associated with long-term vehicle storage, including neighborhood blight, illegal dumping, and the abandonment of property or boats that contribute to a perception of deterioration. Additionally, extended vehicle storage consumes limited street parking needed by residents, local businesses, and customers, while occasionally creating visual barriers for unlawful activity.
Furthermore, the lack of clarity creates significant enforcement and legal uncertainty. Minimal movement makes it difficult for personnel to document or disprove compliance after the fact, increasing the risk of disputes, towing challenges, and potential litigation. The proposed amendment aims to resolve these issues by clarifying the movement requirement and establishing a meaningful standard for resetting the 72-hour period. By ensuring that vehicle relocation represents an actual change in location, the update provides consistent enforcement, reduces compliance disputes, and better addresses recurring resident complaints regarding long-term vehicle storage and blight.
At the March 16, 2026, Legislation/Environmental Committee Meeting, Staff outlined the procedural limits of the existing 72-hour parking restriction, noting that enforcement mechanisms are often slow to resolve persistent neighborhood complaints about inoperable or abandoned vehicles in the public right-of-way. The presentation also focused on clarifying the legal definition of "public streets" and establishing precise guidelines to prevent the obstruction of city rights-of-way by both commercial entities and private residents. The Committee approved the changes and directed staff to present the updated SMC amendment to the City Council at a future meeting.
Present Situation
SMC Section 10.04.600, titled “Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles Prohibited,” prohibits using any portion of a public street or public place to store a vehicle. The purpose of the ordinance is to address vehicles that are not being used for ordinary transportation and prevent streets from serving as long-term storage areas rather than as spaces for travel, temporary parking, and public access.
The ordinance is part of Stockton’s traffic regulations and supports the City’s ability to address vehicles left on public streets in a manner that obstructs access, contributes to neighborhood deterioration, or creates public-safety and sanitation concerns. The provision is distinct from general parking regulations because it focuses on storage, including vehicles that remain stationary for extended periods or are otherwise being kept on the street rather than actively used for transportation. The current ordinance does not specify what constitutes a mechanism in determining whether a vehicle is being parked or left standing for the purpose of long-term storage rather than ordinary transportation.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Adoption of the amendment of the existing code is not expected to have a negative fiscal impact.
Attachment A - Proposed Redlined Version