Can SMFTA Officers ticket vehicles in private lots?

[ctwo]

Yeah, I think you can't crack a beer on your front porch anymore.

[scootergmc]

Originally Posted by ctwo

Yeah, I think you can't crack a beer on your front porch anymore.

I'm going to prison if that's the case.

[N4teTheGreat]

Originally Posted by bojangle

Sorry, I'm not quite following what you're saying. Who is trading what spot with who? I'm not understanding how that would be interpreted to make people believe those without a placard could park in a disabled spot. Though I certainly would believe a developer would misrepresent things to make sales and close contracts.

I'm gonna say that the developer was required by law to include X number of disabled spots.

It's a mess for sure. As I understand it, the developer included the # of required spots when the building was built.

They then "sold" rights to park in the garage as part of specific units (SF requires occupancy of 2 of more in order to qualify for parking so not all units got a space).

Once all units in the building sold ownership was transferred to the Homeowners Association who is responsible for accommodating residents with garage access as needed. Since it is a private gated garage the Association manages swapping spots as need to accommodate anyone who is or becomes disabled. Or at least that is what the governing documents the developer provided laid out. Sounds like this has a high change of turning into a circular firing squad of residents sueing the association, each other and the developer.

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by ctwo

In this case, I'm thinking of an underground parking garage for a residential apartment or condos, and maybe someone is parking in someone else's spot. Why wouldn't the car just be towed? Seems that's what would happen at any apartment.

TBH I'd probably rather have the parking ticket than get towed. Less hassle, cheaper, easier to pay, and you still have your vehicle. Parking ticket is what, like $150? If that? Tow is $450+.

[ctwo]

I thought illegally parking in a disabled spot would mean immediate tow and extra fine, like $1000?

[bojangle]

Originally Posted by N4teTheGreat

It's a mess for sure. As I understand it, the developer included the # of required spots when the building was built.

They then "sold" rights to park in the garage as part of specific units (SF requires occupancy of 2 of more in order to qualify for parking so not all units got a space).

Once all units in the building sold ownership was transferred to the Homeowners Association who is responsible for accommodating residents with garage access as needed. Since it is a private gated garage the Association manages swapping spots as need to accommodate anyone who is or becomes disabled. Or at least that is what the governing documents the developer provided laid out. Sounds like this has a high change of turning into a circular firing squad of residents sueing the association, each other and the developer.

I guess it shouldn't really be a problem as long as the disabled spots are assigned to, or being used by, residents with disabled license plates or placards.

Originally Posted by ctwo

I thought illegally parking in a disabled spot would mean immediate tow and extra fine, like $1000?

It could be towed, but probably not normally. The minimum fine for disabled parking violations in California is $250. It can be more in some jurisdictions, but I don't think anywhere near $1,000.

[N4teTheGreat]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

TBH I'd probably rather have the parking ticket than get towed. Less hassle, cheaper, easier to pay, and you still have your vehicle. Parking ticket is what, like $150? If that? Tow is $450+.

$815 a pop and this person has called the SFMTA twice this month alone. The folks who park there are not amused... I also think they can tow after a certain number of successive violations.

[N4teTheGreat]

Originally Posted by bojangle

I guess it shouldn't really be a problem as long as the disabled spots are assigned to, or being used by, residents with disabled license plates or placards.

There's the rub, save for one resident who was accommodated when it was requested. The other owners / user of those spots are not disabled but are sitting on a spot that increased the cost of their unit by around 20k. of course, end of the day, these folks all own property in SF so this is basically rich people problems.

[ctwo]

SF yo! But I will concede to the law man...

[bojangle]

Originally Posted by N4teTheGreat

There's the rub, save for one resident who was accommodated when it was requested. The other owners / user of those spots are not disabled but are sitting on a spot that increased the cost of their unit by around 20k. of course, end of the day, these folks all own property in SF so this is basically rich people problems.

I was gonna say that I'd bet the parking spots are probably listed on the deeds of the units that come with a spot, or something like that. It would be pretty messed up if some units were assigned a disabled only spot, and then couldn't use said spot. That doesn't seem right.

[afm199]

Originally Posted by ctwo

Bo, that's what I was told directly by an officer, when working on my car in the driveway, with a 6-pack on the hood, radio blaring, etc... Of course it didn't happen but there was also an issue of public intoxication, so they said they would come back and better not see me drinking there, or else...

Now the PA might have an issue about the engine, but it would be up to me to prove innocence.

In this case, I'm thinking of an underground parking garage for a residential apartment or condos, and maybe someone is parking in someone else's spot. Why wouldn't the car just be towed? Seems that's what would happen at any apartment.

Ahh, the good old days. Back when I was still drinking and driving, long long ago, late seventies, I got popped by SFPD about three blocks from my house. The officer said: "I don't want to see you driving drunk again. Now walk home and don't pick up your car for at least six hours."