Sunday, August 12, 2007

Defining Commerical Vehicles

As we talk about parking restrictions and loading zones, a question that seems to continue to be raised is: what defines a commercial vehicle? Remember, there are special parking zones for loading and unloading of commercial vehicles, and commercial vehicles are restricted from parking on a residential street for more than 3 hours (unless actively conducting businesses). So, is that realtor who has their magnetic advertising decal on the side of their sedan a commercial vehicle? How about a limo or a taxi? Is a personally rented Uhaul considered a commercial vehicle?

As defined by the California Vehicle Code, which is applicable here in the City of Los Angeles:
A "commercial vehicle" is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

Under this definition, that realtor's sedan would not able a commercial vehicle, but a truck transporting goods - public or private would be. So, those Uhauls parked overnight on a residential street could be ticketed. A limo, taxi, or plumber's truck cannot park in your residential neighborhood, either. But, that realtor seems to be able to park in their own neighborhoods, as they are personal vehicles advertising (through the 1st Amendment) a service or message. (Those magnetic banners are like large bumper stickers, in a way.) They are not commercial vehicles.

So, if you have a problem of commercial vehicles parking on the street in a residential area overnight or for extended periods of time, just call 311 and let them know; an officer may be out to cite them. If it's truly a problem situation, LAPD may get involved and use the large, commercial tow trucks to remove the commercial vehicle. (We once saw a school bus towed from a small, apartment filled cul-de-sac where it took up four very precious parking spaces on a nightly basis.) You have the power to prevent taxis from taking over your street at night.

4 comments:

Militant Angeleno said...

What about those vehicles that roam the streets whose sole purpose is to advertise a strip club?

Willard Hughes said...

Taxi drivers live in the city, too. Where are they supposed to park their cabs while they're sleeping?

PJ Smorg said...

Anyone have any idea about laws regarding RVs being parked on residential streets? My neighbor hood currently hss 3 (three!) beat-up, ENORMOUS, Rvs parked on it's streets. I talked with some parking enforcement officers the other day and they (surprise, surprise) had no idea if it's illegal or not.

parking is scarce as it is! This is ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Is there a maximum limit to how many vehicles belonging to the occupants of one property can be parked on a residential street? i.e. the house next door has 10 to 15 people and 9 or 10 vehicles taking up very precious spaces. As of today, they now have a Laidlaw school bus parked on our street.