Unjust "No Parking Any Time" Zone Ticket

[Scott Story]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: CA

An friend/acquaintance of mine owns a pizza shop on Pacific Coast Hwy CA (State Hwy 101) About nine years ago he decided it would be a good idea to paint the curbs in front of it red to discourage people parking their leaving the spaces open for his delivery drivers. Not really an issue all the local know it not a real "no parking zone" it is correctly signed (street sweeping the only restriction).

Over the years most of the paint has faded away and is more freckled than red at this point, no worries until the newly assigned OC Sheriff patrol officer decided that this fugazzi no parking zone was a perfect candidate for enforcement but was now an "enhanced enforcement zone" where he has written dozens of tickets, were I caught at 1am sneaking down the ally after writing me a $47 dollar ticket. I explained to him all of the obvious indications that it was not a no parking zone, he explain he didn't care, and a splash of red house paint was all he need to write as many tickets as he could.

So to skip to my real question how do you obtain the official state of ca parking rules for an address on a state hwy? I've called the OC Sheriff they said CHP. CHP say email us and we'll get back to you in?? never.. CHP desk cop responds you need waaa??? Anyone have any ideas??

[Mr. Knowitall]

Do you mean the California Vehicle Code? It's here. Provisions on parking are here.

[cdwjava]

It would be unlawful to arbitrarily paint a curb red. What code section is being cited for parking in the area?

Anyone who has been cited can challenge the citation using the process provided by the issuing agency.

[That Guy]

I think OP is asking how to obtain some sort of documentation indicating that the zone in question is NOT a red/no parking anytime zone.

how do you obtain the official state of ca parking rules for an address on a state hwy?

You can start by calling CalTrans to request that information. If they are not the the agency that has jurisdiction then they can direct to to who does.

[cdwjava]

I think OP is asking how to obtain some sort of documentation indicating that the zone in question is NOT a red/no parking anytime zone.

That information should be found at the planning office or streets department - whoever deals with this in the OP's jurisdiction. Unless the cause for the red curb is obvious (a posted sign, a hydrant, marked as a fire lane, etc.) then some act of the city council or local governing body would have to have been enacted declaring the area a prohibited zone.

But, we do not know that the person has been cited for parking at a red curb - it could be for something else entirely. That is why we need to know what code section has been cited.

[Scott Story]

Sorry I assumed I'd be notified of replies, I hadn't looked closely at the ticket but for random violation of the day he chose 22500.1 "Parked in Fire Lane"???

"The designation shall be indicated (1) 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, (2) by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking the place with the words "FIRE LANE", which are clearly visible from a vehicle, or (3) by a red curb or red paint on the edge of the roadway upon which is clearly marked the words "FIRE LANE". "

Not even close, no signage, not a fire lane, cop is a jackhole making it up as he goes.

[cdwjava]

Then you should be able to prevail when you challenge the parking cite.

[Scott Story]

I'm trying to fight it online/phone now and the automated system can't find the ticket, what a pain.