Bee Investigator: Looking for parking

I had a friend in college who’d leave change on the ground every time she’d find that prime parking spot right in front of her destination. “For the parking fairy,” she’d say.

Yes, it’s a little nuts, but it’s always exciting to see a car pulling out of your ideal spot as you approach it. However, sometimes that spot is not intended for you.

Specialized, front-row parking can be found in most major shopping centers.

Restaurants have spots for people picking up takeout; banks have parking only for people using the ATM.

The Monte Vista Crossings shopping center in Turlock has rows of parking for “clean-air vehicles” and, oddly enough, the Dick’s Sporting Goods store there even has a spot reserved for expectant mothers.

But are these spots akin to disabled persons parking, which comes with a fine in excess of $300 for violators? If a Hummer parks in a low-emission stall, is it subject to towing or a ticket?

Yes and no. It’s all about signage.

Generally on private property, law enforcement has the authority to ticket only violators parked in fire lanes and handicap spots, said Turlock Police Sgt. Neil Cervenka.

There is, however, a state vehicle code that allows owners, at their expense, to have cars towed from their property for any reason with the properer signage.

It’s that blanket “unauthorized vehicles” that would allow property owners to tow the gas guzzler in the spot intended for the Prius or the car of the person who takes advantage of an empty spot to patronize the business across the street.

Between the cost of towing and the potential impact on business, I suspect this doesn’t happen very often. Most property owners likely rely on self-policing. I asked the owners of Monte Vista Crossings but never heard back from anyone.

There was a law enacted in 2012 specific to parking stalls with plug-in stations that Cervenka said is written much like the language for disabled persons parking. But it’s still up to the property owner to provide appropriate signage and pay for the towing, and requires a city ordinance for law enforcement to ticket violators.

There are so few charging stations in this county that none of the cities have made this move, but Patterson is considering it, said Patterson Police Services Chief Tori Hughes.

The Best Western Plus Villa del Lago Inn near Interstate 5 has six stalls with electric vehicle plug-ins, and as the city continues to grow, the planning department expects the number of charging stations will, too.

Hughes said the city is only in discussions concerning an ordinance, so no word yet on when it might be considered by the City Council.

So pay attention to the signs when you enter a business’s parking lot. Whether you believe in the parking fairy or karma or whatever, just be courteous and leave the spot designated for the pregnant woman who has to waddle instead of walk to the store.

“Like the 10-minute ATM parking, it works because of the community’s willingness to support that,” Cervenka said. “People see this spot and they know they will not fall into that category, but they might one day in the future.”

This story was originally published November 2, 2014 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Bee Investigator: Looking for parking."