California traffic-safety compliance

Close a lane (work zone)

Construction-zone speed limit signs placed within 400 feet of each end. Appropriate signs indicating the limits of the restricted zone and the applicable speed limit shall be placed by the agency within 400 feet of each end of the zone; signs shall display the figures indicating the applicable limit and indicate the purpose of the speed restriction.

Minimum posted speed limit in construction/maintenance zones. The posted speed limit in a construction/maintenance zone shall not be less than 25 miles per hour.

Double fines in Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zones require posted controls. For specified offenses committed within a designated Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zone, the fine in a misdemeanor case shall be double the amount otherwise prescribed and in an infraction case shall be one category higher; this applies only when traffic controls or warning signs have been placed pursuant to Section 97 or 97.1 of the Streets and Highways Code.

Traffic control must conform to California MUTCD. Where a hazard exists to employees because of traffic or haulage conditions at work sites that encroach upon public streets or highways, a system of traffic controls in conformance with the "California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, January 13, 2012" shall be required so as to abate the hazard.

Size and design of traffic control devices per the Manual. Specifications for the size and design of signs, lights, and devices used for traffic control shall be as described in the Manual, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21400.

High-visibility warning garments for employees exposed to traffic. Employees (on foot) exposed to the hazard of vehicular traffic shall wear warning garments such as vests, jackets, or shirts manufactured in accordance with ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.

Retroreflective warning garments during darkness (visible at 1,000 feet). During hours of darkness, warning garments shall be retroreflective and manufactured in accordance with ANSI/ISEA 107-2004; the retroreflective material shall be visible at a minimum of 1,000 feet.

Flaggers required where barricades and warning signs cannot control traffic. A flagger or flaggers shall be utilized at locations on a construction site where barricades and warning signs cannot control the moving traffic; the number of flaggers and their deployment shall be according to the California MUTCD, January 13, 2012.

Placement of warning signs per the Manual. Placement of warning signs shall be according to the Manual.

Flagger station illumination and reflectorized garments during darkness. During hours of darkness, flaggers' stations shall be illuminated such that the flagger will be clearly visible to approaching traffic, and flaggers shall be outfitted with reflectorized garments manufactured per ANSI/ISEA 107-2004; the retroreflective material shall be visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet.

Flagger training required before assignment. Flaggers shall be trained in the proper fundamentals of flagging moving traffic before being assigned; signaling directions shall conform to the Manual, and training shall cover flagger equipment, work-zone layout, stop/proceed/slow signals, one-way traffic control, emergency vehicles, hostile drivers, and single-flagger procedures, with documentation maintained per Section 3203.

Post no-parking & tow-away zones

Private property tow-away sign size and lettering. Sign must be not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size, with lettering not less than one inch in height

Private property tow-away sign required content. Sign must prohibit public parking, indicate vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, and contain the telephone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency and the name and telephone number of each towing company party to a written general towing authorization agreement

Private property tow-away sign placement. Signs must be displayed in plain view at all entrances to the property

Signs required before local parking prohibition is enforceable. Except for alleys, a local parking-restriction ordinance or resolution shall not apply until signs or markings giving adequate notice have been placed

No parking near crosswalk. A person shall not park within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present

Local authority may set different crosswalk parking distance if marked. A local authority may establish a different distance only if it adopts an ordinance finding the distance justified by established traffic safety standards and marks the different distance at the intersection using paint or a sign

Warning-only enforcement of crosswalk parking prior to Jan 1, 2025 unless marked. Prior to January 1, 2025, jurisdictions may only issue a warning and shall not issue a citation for a crosswalk parking violation unless the violation occurs in an area marked using paint or a sign

No parking within 15 feet of fire station driveway. A person shall not park within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station (does not apply to marked fire department vehicles)

Signs required before removal of vehicles from prohibited-parking zones. Where local authorities have prohibited parking and authorized removal, a vehicle shall not be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal (except as provided in subdivisions (v) and (w))

24-hour advance sign posting for highway maintenance removal. For removal of an illegally parked vehicle where the highway is needed for cleaning, repair, or construction or utility installation, signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed must be erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal

24-hour advance sign posting for special highway use removal. Where highway use is authorized for a purpose other than normal traffic flow or movement of oversized equipment, signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed must be erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal

Sign posting for 24-hour parking removal in common interest developments. A vehicle parked more than 24 hours on highway within a common interest development may be removed only if signs required by Section 22658(a)(1) have been posted providing notice that vehicles parked more than 24 hours will be removed at owner's expense

Fire lane designation by sign. A fire lane may be designated by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place, clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane

Fire lane designation by painting/marking. A fire lane may alternatively be designated by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking it with the words "FIRE LANE" clearly visible from a vehicle, or by a red curb or red paint on the roadway edge marked with the words "FIRE LANE"

No stopping or parking in designated fire lane. No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle along the edge of any highway, at any curb, or in any off-street parking facility designated as a fire lane by the fire department or fire district with jurisdiction

Run a valet operation

Valet Parking Operator Permit Required. No person shall engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of Valet Parking where movement of vehicles is on or over any public right-of-way or public property without a written Valet Parking Operator permit from the Board and payment of all required permit fees.

Valet Parking Residential Sensitive Zone One-Day Permit. A Valet Parking Residential Sensitive Zone One-Day Permit shall also be required for a Valet Parking Operator conducting Valet Parking within a Valet Parking Residential Sensitive Zone, directing a person to park in the zone, or transporting a person parked in a zone to a location outside the zone.

Master Valet Parking Operator Permit for Multiple Locations. Permittees that conduct, manage or operate multiple Valet Parking locations shall obtain a Master Valet Parking Operator permit, which applies only to those locations specifically identified in the permit at the time it is issued.

Identify Valet Parking Equipment in Application. Each applicant for a Valet Parking Operator permit shall identify all Valet Parking equipment intended to be used during Valet Parking operations.

Location of Valet Parking Signs and Attendant Stands in Application. The application shall furnish the location of any proposed Valet Parking signs and any proposed attendant stands.

Attendant Stands and Equipment Placement on Sidewalk. Attendant stands and other equipment may be placed on the sidewalk in the public right-of-way during Valet Parking operations, as approved by the Board.

Valet Sign Minimum Size and Lettering. Valet parking signs must not be less than 24 by 36 inches in size, with letters/numerals in contrasting colors; the "Valet Parking" and maximum charge portions must have a minimum lettering/numeral size of three inches per character. Signs must show the Permittee's name, business address and telephone number, hours of operation, police permit number, and valet parking fees.

Sequentially Numbered Claim Checks. The Permittee shall issue a sequentially numbered claim check to each patron upon receipt of the patron's vehicle for valet parking, explicitly stating the terms and conditions under which the vehicle is accepted.

Pedestrian Walkways Must Not Be Blocked. The Permittee shall ensure that pedestrian walkways are not blocked at any time during valet parking operations.

Prohibition on Taking Possession/Parking in Public Right-of-Way. Unless expressly authorized on the permit, the Permittee shall at no time receive or take possession of a patron's vehicle upon any public right-of-way or other public property, park and leave standing any patron's vehicle upon any public right-of-way, or use the public right-of-way for vehicle pickup and drop off locations.

Authorization Required for Parking on Private Property. The Permittee shall at no time allow any patron's vehicle to be parked upon private property without a signed statement of authorization by the owner or other person having legal control of such private property.

Sufficient Attendants and Valid Attendant Permits. The Permittee shall employ Valet Parking Attendants sufficient in number to park vehicles so that traffic on streets or sidewalks will not be impeded, and shall ensure each person employed or acting as a Valet Parking Attendant has a valid permit issued by the Board.

Locking of Parked Vehicles and Key Handling. The Permittee shall ensure Valet Parking Attendants who park a vehicle lock the ignition and the vehicle, remove the key, and place the key in a safe place, and do not place the key in or upon the parked vehicle.

Rate Restriction to Posted Rates. The Permittee shall not charge any higher rates for parking than those rates posted.

Closing Time Vehicle Security. At closing time, the Permittee shall lock all vehicles remaining in its possession (except those locked by the patron) and deposit the keys with a responsible person at a safe and convenient place for delivery to the person surrendering the claim check.

Notice to Police for Vehicles Parked Over 48 Hours. The Permittee shall notify the police whenever a vehicle has been left in its possession or custody for a period in excess of forty-eight (48) hours without a prior contractual arrangement, to determine whether the vehicle is stolen or abandoned.

Employee License, Uniform and High-Visibility Vest Requirements. The Permittee shall ensure all employees who drive or handle a patron's vehicle keys have a current valid California driver's license and wear a standard uniform conspicuously identifying the employee by full name and the valet business name; employees who receive, take possession of, or move a patron's vehicle upon any public right-of-way must wear high-visibility safety vests.

Employee Background Restriction. The Permittee shall not allow any employee convicted within the previous seven (7) years of a felony or any offense involving violence, dishonesty, automobile theft, automobile vandalism, reckless driving, or driving under the influence to drive a patron's vehicle or handle a patron's vehicle keys.

Records Maintenance Requirements. Every Permittee shall maintain a continuously updated list of names and residence addresses of employees who perform Valet Parking (produced on demand of any peace officer), and shall maintain all financial records related to the operation for a minimum of three years, available to the Office of Finance for inspection.

Traffic Safety - No Queuing and Stopping Time Limits. The Permittee shall ensure the valet operation at no time interferes with normal traffic flow; no vehicle queuing is allowed on the public right-of-way at any time; and no vehicle may stop or stand at a drop-off or loading area longer than five minutes, except a maximum of ten minutes where signs indicating a ten minute limit are posted.

Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Minimums. The Permittee shall maintain comprehensive general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, combined single limit, and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.

Garage Keeper's Legal Liability Coverage Minimums. The Permittee shall maintain garage keeper's legal liability coverage with minimum limits of $250,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

Comprehensive Vehicle Liability Insurance Minimums. The Permittee shall maintain comprehensive vehicle liability insurance covering personal injury and property damage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, combined single limit, covering any vehicle in the possession of the Permittee, its agents and employees in conjunction with the operation of vehicles pursuant to the permit.

Insurer Rating and Admission Requirement. Insurance must be placed with insurers admitted in the State of California or having a current A.M. Best rating of no less than A:6; deductibles may not exceed $5,000 per occurrence.

Workers' Compensation Insurance Required. The Permittee shall obtain, carry, maintain and keep in full force and effect workers' compensation insurance as required by law.

City Named as Additional Insured. The Permittee shall maintain on file with the Board certificates of insurance on the City's form; the policies shall contain an endorsement naming the City as an additional insured and shall be primary to any coverage available to the City, and include provisions for waiver of subrogation.

Operating Without Permit is a Misdemeanor. Any person operating as a Valet Parking Operator without a permit as required in Subdivision (b) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

No Stopping/Parking Within Intersection or on Crosswalk. A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within an intersection (except adjacent to curbs as permitted by local ordinance) or on a crosswalk, constraining valet staging locations.

No Stopping Within 15 Feet of Fire Station Driveway. A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station (except clearly marked fire department vehicles).

No Stopping in Front of Public or Private Driveway. A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle in front of a public or private driveway (except buses, schoolbuses, or taxicabs loading/unloading when authorized by local ordinance).

No Stopping on Sidewalk. A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle on a portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over a portion of a sidewalk (except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance).

No Stopping on Cut-Down Curb (Wheelchair Access). A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle in front of or upon that portion of a curb that has been cut down, lowered, or constructed to provide wheelchair accessibility to the sidewalk.

No Stopping Within 20 Feet of Crosswalk Approach. A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present, unless a local authority establishes a different marked distance.

Set up a parking lot

Van accessible parking space minimum width. Van parking spaces shall be 144 inches (3658 mm) wide minimum; car parking spaces 108 inches wide minimum; all spaces 216 inches long minimum. Exception: van space may be 108 inches wide where access aisle is 96 inches wide minimum.

Access aisle minimum width. Access aisles serving car and van parking spaces shall be 60 inches (1524 mm) wide minimum.

Access aisle NO PARKING marking. Access aisles shall be marked with a blue painted borderline around their perimeter, hatched lines a maximum of 36 inches on center in a contrasting color (preferably blue or white), and the words "NO PARKING" painted on the surface in white letters a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) in height, located to be visible from the adjacent vehicular way.

Van access aisle location on passenger side. Access aisles for van parking spaces shall be located on the passenger side of the parking spaces.

Vertical clearance for van spaces and routes. Parking spaces, access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches (2489 mm) minimum.

Parking space identification sign - ISA and mounting height. Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility in white on a blue background. Signs identifying van spaces shall contain additional language or an additional sign with the designation "van accessible". Signs shall be 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum above the finish floor/ground to the bottom of the sign (80 inches minimum if located within a circulation path).

Identification sign finish and minimum size. Parking identification signs shall be reflectorized with a minimum area of 70 square inches (45,161 mm2).

Minimum Fine $250 sign language (CBC). Additional language or an additional sign below the International Symbol of Accessibility shall state "Minimum Fine $250".

Identification sign visibility and posting location. A parking space identification sign shall be visible from each parking space and shall be permanently posted either immediately adjacent to the parking space, within the projected parking space width at the head end, or on a wall at the interior end of the parking space.

Surface ISA marking dimensions. The parking space shall be marked with an International Symbol of Accessibility in white on a blue background a minimum 36 inches wide by 36 inches high (914 mm by 914 mm), with its centerline a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) from the centerline of the parking space.

Additional (tow-away) sign posting. An additional sign shall be posted either in a conspicuous place at each entrance to an off-street parking facility, or immediately adjacent to on-site accessible parking and visible from each parking space.

Additional (tow-away) sign minimum size (CBC). The additional sign shall not be less than 17 inches (432 mm) wide by 22 inches (559 mm) high.

Additional (tow-away) sign lettering and wording (CBC). The additional sign shall state, in letters with a minimum height of 1 inch (25 mm): "Unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces not displaying distinguishing placards or special license plates issued for persons with disabilities will be towed away at the owner's expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at: ___ or by telephoning ___."

Offstreet disabled space designation sign (ISA). Designation of an offstreet disabled parking space requires posting immediately adjacent to, and visible from, each stall or space, a sign consisting of a profile view of a wheelchair with occupant in white on a blue background.

Minimum Fine $250 statement on offstreet sign (CVC). The sign shall also clearly and conspicuously state "Minimum Fine $250." This applies to signs for parking spaces constructed on or after July 1, 2008, and signs replaced on or after July 1, 2008.

Offstreet loading area NO PARKING marking (CVC). The loading and unloading area adjacent to a disabled parking space shall be marked by a blue border and hatched lines in a contrasting color (blue or white preferred), and within the border the words "No Parking" shall be painted in white letters no less than 12 inches high. Applies to spaces constructed or painted on or after July 1, 2008.

Offstreet tow-away sign size and wording (CVC). Posting shall consist of a sign not less than 17 by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height stating: "Unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces not displaying distinguishing placards or special license plates issued for persons with disabilities will be towed away at the owner's expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at: ___ or by telephoning ___." Posted immediately adjacent to and visible from the stall/space, or in a conspicuous place at each entrance to the facility.

Onstreet disabled space designation sign (ISA and blue curb). Onstreet disabled parking spaces shall be indicated by blue paint on the curb or edge of the paved portion, and the local authority shall post immediately adjacent to and visible from the space a sign consisting of a profile view of a wheelchair with occupant in white on a blue background.

Minimum Fine $250 statement on onstreet sign (CVC). The onstreet designation sign shall clearly and conspicuously state "Minimum Fine $250." Applies only to signs for parking spaces constructed on or after July 1, 2008, and signs replaced on or after July 1, 2008.

Onstreet loading area NO PARKING marking (CVC). If the loading and unloading area adjacent to a disabled space is marked, the border shall be painted blue and hatched lines a contrasting color (blue or white preferred), and within the border the words "No Parking" shall be painted in white letters no less than 12 inches high. Applies to spaces constructed or painted on or after July 1, 2008.

Prohibition on parking in disabled spaces without placard/plate. It is unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle in a stall or space designated for disabled persons and disabled veterans unless the vehicle displays a special identification license plate (Section 5007) or a distinguishing placard (Section 22511.55 or 22511.59). Applies to all state, local, and privately owned offstreet parking facilities.

Prohibition on obstructing access aisles / boundary lines. It is unlawful to obstruct, block, or bar access to disabled parking stalls/spaces, or to park on the boundary lines of such a space, or in any crosshatched loading/unloading area adjacent to it - even for vehicles displaying a plate or placard.

Scenarios in California