Sierra College Vehicle Code

Section 9.0 - Administration

9.000 Purpose

     The purpose of the Sierra College Vehicle Code is to provide a codified reference of all regulations established by the District relating to the operation and parking of motor vehicles and other motorized or non motorized transportation vehicles and devices operated within the jurisdiction of the District. The regulations contained within the code are intended to provide for the safe and orderly movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic on and about District properties.

9.010 Definitions

     Every word or phrase relating to traffic and parking used in this code shall have the same meaning as defined in Division 1 of the California Vehicle Code unless otherwise defined in this section.
     "District" means the Sierra Community College District.
     An "authorized service vehicle" is any of the following.
          (1) A District owned, leased, or operated, vehicle when operated in an authorized manner.
          (2) An authorized emergency vehicle as defined by the California Vehicle Code.
          (3) A vehicle that displays a current, valid, SERVICE permit issued by Police Services. 

9.020 California Vehicle Code Applicable

     Notwithstanding other provisions of the Sierra College Vehicle Code, all of the provisions of the California Vehicle Code relating to traffic upon the highways shall be applicable to the traffic upon the highways, roadways, driveways, paths, parking facilities, and grounds of the District.

9.030 Authorization to Enforce

     Duly authorized members of Sierra College Police Services shall be authorized to enforce the sections of the Sierra College Vehicle Code for which an enforcement action exists.

Section 9.4 - Parking Regulations

9.401 Staff Permit Required

     Except as otherwise provided in this code, every vehicle parked upon a District owned or operated property posted at the entrance with a sign indicating "STAFF PARKING," shall properly display a current valid STAFF parking permit.

9.402 Colored Curb Parking Restrictions

     Colored paint upon curbs shall be authorized for marking curbs with the colors and meanings listed in subsections (a) through (c) below. No vehicle shall stop, stand, or park in violation of these subsections.
     (a) Red indicates no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or posted as a bus loading zone.
     (b) Yellow indicates stopping for no more than thirty minutes only for the purpose of actively loading or unloading passengers or freight.
     (c) White indicates stopping for no more than ten minutes for the purpose of actively loading or unloading passengers, or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.

9.406 Posted No Parking

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing, whether attended or unattended, in any area posted or marked "NO PARKING."

9.408 Posted No Parking - Service Vehicles Only

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing, whether attended or unattended, in any area posted or marked "NO PARKING - SERVICE VEHICLES ONLY" or similarly marked, except for an "authorized service vehicle" operated by a person actively engaged in a service that reasonably requires the vehicle to be parked in a service vehicle stall to accomplish the specific service task.  Under no circumstance shall any vehicle remain in a service vehicle stall for more than 12 hours without a SPECIAL permit authorized by the Chief of Police Services allowing such an exception when due cause exists.

9.409 Parking Where Restricted

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing, whether attended or unattended, upon any sidewalk, roadway, roadway edge, pathway, trail, landscaped area, grassy area, field, or any other area not designated for the parking of vehicles except when authorized by the proper display of a duly issued SPECIAL permit specifically authorizing such parking.  Areas that are designated for the parking of vehicles are marked by stall boundary lines or marked by the placement of a cement tire bumper at the front of the stall.

9.410 Parked Blocking Traffic

     No vehicle shall remain stopped, parked, or standing, whether attended or unattended, upon a campus roadway in a position so as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in a condition so as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the roadway. 

9.411 Motorcycle Parking Restricted Areas

     No motorcycle, motorized scooter, or motor driven cycle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing in any parking space except for a parking space or area reserved for motorcycle parking as indicated by a posted sign or pavement marking.  Every such motorcycle, motorized scooter, or motor driven cycle parked in a motorcycle parking space or area shall display a current valid parking permit as otherwise required.

9.412 Parked Over Stall Boundary

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing, whether attended or unattended, in any parking stall where any portion of the vehicle extends beyond any stall boundary line.

9.413 Backed In Against Traffic

     In parking areas with angled parking where stalls are entered from a one-way roadway, no vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing while backed into a parking stall.  Any vehicle stopped, parked, or standing in such a parking area with the rear of the vehicle at the front of the parking stall is parked in violation of this section.

9.414 Time Limit Parking

     Every vehicle parked, stopped, or standing  in a time limit parking area indicated by a green curb or green cement tire bumper, and/or posted with a sign stating a time limit, shall not remain parked for more than the length of time stated on the curb, bumper, or sign. If the time limit is not marked, then no vehicle shall remain parked for more than thirty minutes at a green curb, bumper, or time limit sign.
     A vehicle parked in a time limit parking area is not required to display a parking permit. For the purpose of determining if a vehicle has remained parked in excess of the time limit, a vehicle shall be deemed to have remained parked if it was removed for less than thirty minutes prior to returning to the same time limit parking area.

9.415 Vehicle Repair Prohibited

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District controlled property for the purpose of service, repair, or maintenance except as provided in subsections (a) through (c) of this section.
     (a)  A vehicle that is otherwise legally parked, may remain parked for no more than 30 minutes for the purpose of minor emergency service when such service is required to operate the vehicle and when such service can be performed without harm to any person or property.
   (b)  This section shall not apply to vehicles being operated, maintained, or serviced by District employees within the scope of their employment.
   (c)   This section shall not apply to vehicles being operated, maintained, or serviced as part of an authorized instructional program.
   
9.416 Parked for Camping/Sleeping

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District controlled property for the purpose of camping or sleeping without a Use of Facilities permit or written consent from Sierra College Police Services.  Camping includes, but is not limited to, the use of a vehicle and/or parking area for sleeping, preparation of food, bathing, or other conduct normally performed within a residence.  This section is intended to prevent the occupancy of parking stalls by those who are not attending classes or not otherwise engaging in lawful business with the District.  Nothing in this section is intended to prevent enrolled students from resting in their vehicles between classes for periods not to exceed three hours.

9.417 After Hours Parking

     No vehicle, other than District owned or operated vehicles, shall remain parked upon District controlled property between the hours of 11:00 p.m and 6:00 a.m. except by SPECIAL permit or written agreement issued by Sierra College Police Services.   This section shall not apply to any vehicle owned by a resident who is licensed to reside in a District residence hall, or their authorized guest, provided the vehicle displays a current valid RESIDENT parking permit and is otherwise lawfully parked in the RESIDENT parking lot.

9.418  Oversized Vehicles Prohibited

No vehicle with an overall length greater than 26 feet shall remain parked, stopped, or standing on District properties except as provided in parts (a) through (c) below: 
     (a)  This section shall not apply to District owned or operated vehicles.
     (b)  This section shall not apply to delivery or service vehicles actively engaged in the lawful delivery of goods or services upon District properties in areas intended for loading or unloading such vehicles.
     (c)  Sierra College Police Services may issue a SPECIAL permit exempting an oversize vehicle and may impose special endorsements or restrictions.

9.419 Parked For Purpose of Vending

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District properties for the purpose of vending without a Use of Facilities permit authorizing such vending.  For the purpose of this section, vending includes, but is not limited to, any product or service sales, offers to sell products or services, product giveaways, offers to employ, or solicitation of any kind.

9.417 Parked With Meter Violation

     No vehicle, other than District owned or operated vehicles, shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District properties in a parking stall controlled by a parking meter whenever the meter shows VIOLATION.

Section 9.6 - Parking Permits

9.600 Authority to Issue Parking Permits

     Sierra College Police Services shall administer the issuance and sale of all parking permits intended for use upon District controlled properties. No person, department, division, or agency shall issue, sell, give, possess, or transfer any District parking permit except as specifically authorized by Sierra College Police Services. Sierra College Police Services may impose special endorsements or restrictions on permits as needed to manage the allocation of available parking and to maintain safety and security. The Chief of  Police Services may revoke the parking privileges of any person who chronically violates the provisions of the Sierra College Vehicle Code.

9.601 Parking Permits

     Sierra College Police Services shall specify, issue and collect fees for parking permits. Every permit issued shall be subject to the provisions of the Sierra College Vehicle Code, and to the written restrictions and conditions provided to the recipient of the permit upon issuance. Sierra College Police Services may refuse to issue a permit, or revoke and invalidate a parking permit issued by the District, if the Chief of Police Services determines its use to be contrary to the Sierra College Vehicle Code, public law, or the public interest. Sierra College Police Services may issue to qualified persons and collect fees for the permits described in (a) through (h) below:
     (a) A GENERAL or STUDENT parking permit may be issued to any student except a resident student, or may be issued to any member of the community with a lawful purpose for being on District grounds. Subject to any restrictions and conditions, a GENERAL or STUDENT parking permit is valid in any of the general unrestricted parking areas upon District properties that are not otherwise posted for special use. A fee shall be charged for each permit per the Board approved parking fee schedule.
     (b) A RESIDENT parking permit may be issued to any person who is licensed to reside in the Residence Hall, or who otherwise has a valid written agreement to occupy or use the Residence Hall facilities. Subject to any restrictions and conditions, a RESIDENT parking permit is valid in the Resident Parking lot "R" at all times including overnight parking. Except for parking lot "S," a RESIDENT parking permit is also valid in any of the general unrestricted parking areas upon District properties from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The RESIDENT parking permit is not valid in parking lot "S" at any time. A fee shall be charged for each permit per the Board approved parking fee schedule.
     (c) A STAFF parking permit may be issued to any of the following persons:
          1.  A person who is employed by the District.
          2.  A person who is contracted to perform work for the District.
          3.  A person who is honorably retired from employment for the District.
          4.  Other persons who are deemed eligible by the Chief of Police Services or the President/Superintendent. 
     Subject to any restrictions and conditions, a STAFF parking permit is valid in any staff parking area or any general unrestricted parking areas upon District properties. A fee shall be charged for each permit per the Board approved parking fee schedule. Each eligible employee shall be entitled to only one parking permit.  The Chief of Police Services may authorize the issuance of multiple permits if the recipient agrees to the conditions of a multiple permit use agreement restricting the use of such permits to prevent use of more than one permit at one time and to restrict use to only the authorized person.
     (d) An INJURED STUDENT parking permit may be issued by the District Health Center to any person who provides proof of a temporary medical condition that inhibits their ability to walk distances from 100 to 500 yards. Subject to any restrictions and conditions, an INJURED STUDENT parking permit is valid in any staff parking area or any general unrestricted parking areas upon District properties. An INJURED STUDENT permit is not valid in any stall marked for use by disabled persons.
     (e) A SERVICE parking permit may be issued to any person who performs a service which requires the use of a motor vehicle upon District grounds. Subject to any restrictions and conditions, a SERVICE parking permit is valid in any staff parking area, any service vehicle area, or any general unrestricted parking areas upon District properties. A SERVICE permit is not valid in any stall marked for use by disabled persons.
     (f) SPECIAL parking permits may be authorized by the Chief of Police Services and may be issued by Sierra College Police Services to accommodate special parking conditions as may be required.
     Parking fees have been set by the District governing Board of Trustees in accordance with the Education Code as follows:

9.602 Parking Permit Required

     Except as otherwise provided in this code, every vehicle parked upon a District owned, controlled or operated property posted at the entrance with a sign indicating that parking is by permit only, shall properly display a current valid parking permit.
     (a)  Every vehicle lawfully displaying a valid disabled person license plate or placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles shall be exempt from the requirement to display a parking permit.

9.609  Proper Display Required

     A parking permit must be properly displayed to be valid. 
     Parking permit stickers with adhesive backings must be affixed to the vehicle by peeling off the paper backing and applying the parking permit sticker to the outside of the front windshield in the lower driver side corner within a five inch square.
     Hanging parking permits or dashboard permits must be placed in one of the following locations:
     1)  Hanging from the rearview mirror with the face of the permit facing forward, clearly visible through the front windshield.
     2)  Laying face up on the driver side dashboard, clearly visible through the front windshield.

9.611 Illegal Use of Permit

     a)  No vehicle shall display a parking permit that has been loaned, sold, given, or otherwise transferred to any person other than the original registered owner of the parking permit.
     b)  No vehicle shall display a parking permit that has been altered in any manner.
     c)  No vehicle shall display a counterfeit parking permit, copy of a parking permit, or other item intended to appear as a valid parking permit.
     d)  No vehicle shall display a parking permit unless the registered owner of the parking permit is the driver or a passenger in the vehicle when it is being parked and when it departs.
     A parking permit displayed in violation of any part (a) through (d) of this section shall be deemed invalid.

9.612 Stolen/Lost Permit Displayed

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District property which displays a permit that has been stolen from the rightful owner or lost by the rightful owner.  A parking permit displayed in violation of this section shall be deemed invalid.

9.713 Parked With Amplified Sound Over 50 Feet

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District property while operating any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet away from the vehicle, unless that system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation.
     This section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or vehicles operated by gas, electric, communications, or water utilities.

9.714 Parked With Alarm Sounding Over 5 Minutes

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District property with an alarm sounding for more than five minutes whether continuously activated or intermittently and repeatedly activated, if the alarm can be heard from 50 or more feet away from the vehicle. 

9.715 Parked With Animal In or Upon Vehicle

     No vehicle shall remain parked, stopped, or standing upon District property with any animal inside or upon the vehicle except when such animal is otherwise authorized to remain on District property for the purpose of aiding the visually impaired or physically disabled, or when written authorization issued by Sierra College Police Services exists for such animal to remain on campus as part of an authorized activity.   

Section 9.9 - Penalties

9.900 Parking Penalty Schedule

     The following penalty schedule establishes the penalty amount and late fee due for each parking or registration violation.