Parking laws don’t care who owns the adjacent house

Q. Hello Honk: I have a question about the 72-hour parking law on public streets: Does that INCLUDE a homeowner who leaves a car parked all of the time in front of his or her property so no one else can park there?

– Jim Petropulos, Wilmington

A. Yes.

The law doesn’t care who owns the property adjacent to the parking space on a public road.

“The street belongs to the public,” Sgt. Clarence Perkins, of the Los Angeles Police Department’s South Traffic Division, told Honk. “You cannot be upset. … We all pay taxes.

“Unless it is metered, first come, first served,” the good sergeant said.

By the way, the reason for the law – common in many cities – is to ensure the car wasn’t abandoned or just left there to become an eyesore.

In many communities, vehicle owners are further prompted by a law to move their metal steeds on street-sweeping days.

In Los Angeles, the 72-hour clock starts ticking when an officer or Department of Transportation employee takes note of the vehicle’s position. But if the vehicle can’t drive safety – say an engine or a wheel is missing – then it can be immediately towed.

However …

Because of the pandemic, Los Angeles has disabled its online form where residents can complain about vehicles parked in the same spot for too long; the city has relaxed many laws, including the one for so-called abandoned vehicles, until Oct. 1 at least.

Q. I often see golf carts in some neighborhoods. Are there any restrictions in regard to licensing, etc?

– Ross Pollard, San Clemente

A. First, let’s unravel what a golf cart is – seriously.

Under California law, a golf cart carries no more than two people and, of course, the clubs and all. It has at least three wheels, weighs 1,300 pounds or less when empty and can go, at best, 15 mph.

Registration isn’t needed. It can trundle along on a public road for up to one mile from a golf course – if the local government has passed a law to allow this on that particular roadway.

Honk couldn’t lasso an answer on whether a golf cart driver needs a license in this scenario and, if not, if there is a minimum age to tool about in one.

Now, Ross, you might have seen what California law calls a neighborhood electric vehicle, or low-speed vehicle. These four-wheeled babies look to the common eye like ritzy golf carts.

They can go up to 25 mph on a smooth, flat surface, carry vehicle-identification numbers and max out at 3,000 pounds. To drive one on a public street takes a driver license, registration and insurance.

If allowed by the local city or county, it can go on roads with speed limits of up to 35 mph.

Or it can act like a golf cart and be considered one under the law.

In short, to the layman’s eyes it can be difficult to discern if the golf cart is in fact a golf cart and operating legally.

Honkin’ fact: Los Angeles International Airport had 1,523,462 passengers in July, compared to 8,469,815 in the same month the year before. That is an 82.01% drop. Meanwhile, air cargo – which consists of freight and mail – increased by 13.09%, to 218,258 tons. (Source: LAX).

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk

Source: Orange County Register