Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 10.62 Idling of Vehicles

It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to discourage the idling of vehicle engines in the City of Palo Alto in order to protect public health, improve environmental conditions, conserve energy and resources, promote economic efficiency, and improve quality of life. This intent and purpose shall be effectuated through primarily educational means.

(Ord. 5448 § 2 (part), 2018)

For the purposes of this chapter, these words shall have the following definitions:

(a) “Idle” or “idling” means to operate a vehicle's internal combustion engine while the vehicle is stationary.

(b) “Vehicle” is defined as in California Vehicle Code section 670.

(Ord. 5448 § 2 (part), 2018)

(a) A vehicle owner or a vehicle operator shall not cause or permit the vehicle to idle on public property, in public rights of way, or on private property that is open to the general public within city limits for more than 3 consecutive minutes.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply in any of the following circumstances:

(1) A vehicle is forced to remain stationary because of an official traffic control device, direction of a law enforcement official, or any traffic conditions beyond the operator's control, including traffic congestion, railroad crossings, construction zones, security checkpoints, and vehicle queues for drive-through goods and services;

(2) Idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment to prevent a safety or health emergency for human or animal occupants, or to prevent the aggravation of a passenger's disability or health condition, but not

merely to maintain the comfort of vehicle occupants;

(3) Idling is necessary to provide heat to an occupied vehicle if the outside ambient temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or idling is necessary to provide cooling to an occupied vehicle if the outside temperature is more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit;

(4) Idling is necessary to power heaters or air conditioners to maintain the comfort of vehicle occupants while waiting for assistance when a vehicle is immobilized due to mechanical problems;

(5) An emergency or law enforcement vehicle, including police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, or any vehicle being used in an emergency capacity, idles in the course of or in preparation for emergency or law enforcement duties;

(6) An armored vehicle idles while in the course of business;

(7) Idling is necessary to power auxiliary work equipment that is actively in use, including, but not limited to, cargo refrigeration units, waste collectors/compactors, lifts, winches, pumps, compressors, drills, mixers, and other safety and construction equipment. Auxiliary work equipment does not include equipment primarily intended for vehicle cabin comfort or occupancy, such as air conditioning, heating, radio, television, digital displays, or kitchen appliances;

(8) Idling is necessary for any vehicle maintenance, service, repair, inspection, research and development, or diagnostics;

(9) An engine is operated in accordance with instructions from the vehicle manufacturer for proper operation;

(10) Idling is necessary for a licensed private security provider to perform security duties;

(11) A vehicle designed to carry 15 or more passengers idles to maintain comfortable cabin temperatures while paying passengers are on board for up to 10 minutes prior to a scheduled embarkation; or

(12) Applicable federal, state, or local law requires idling.

(Ord. 5448 § 2 (part), 2018)

Until such time as the City Council designates, by resolution, an intent to administratively enforce this chapter and includes this chapter in a revision to the city's administrative penalty schedule, the city shall not be authorized to enforce this chapter under Chapter 1.08 (Violations), 1.12 (Administrative Penalties - Citations), 1.16 (Administrative Compliance Orders), or by any criminal or civil means. Upon passage of such a resolution or resolutions, enforcement of this chapter shall be available solely through the administrative mechanisms in Chapters 1.12 and 1.16 of this code, and/or written warnings.

(Ord. 5448 § 2 (part), 2018)

The maximum penalty for a first violation of this chapter occurring within a calendar year shall be a written warning with no fine. The maximum fine shall be $100.00 for a second violation and $150.00 for a third and any subsequent violation of this chapter occurring within a calendar year.

(Ord. 5448 § 2 (part), 2018)