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Oversized Vehicle Restrictions on Narrow Streets
About Voter-Approved Measure C
After Mountain View voters approved the Measure C ballot measure in the November 2020 election, the City of Mountain View began implementing what is referred to as the Narrow Streets Ordinance. Measure C passed with 56.6% of the vote in the November 2020 election.
The city ordinance restricts the parking of oversized vehicles which exceed 22 feet in length, or 7 feet in width, or 7 feet in height, including boats, large trucks, and recreational vehicles (RVs), on narrow streets to address traffic safety concerns. Although going into effect on Dec. 18, 2020, the ordinance cannot be enforced until signage is installed on narrow streets. The signage process includes manufacturing of the signs, engineering to determine sign placement, and actual installation. The sign installation began in August 2021 and was completed in February 2022.
November 8, 2022
The notice of class action proposed settlement for Navarro v. City of Mountain View is now available. View the notice in English and Spanish.
September 23, 2022
The fully executed settlement agreement in the Navarro v. City of Mountain View lawsuit is now available. View the settlement agreement.
September 1, 2022
The City of Mountain View and the plaintiffs in the Navarro v. City of Mountain View lawsuit have reached a tentative settlement over the Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances. As part of the agreed-upon terms, the City will begin enforcing the voter-approved Narrow Streets Ordinance and the Bike Lane Ordinance on Saturday, Oct. 1. The tentative settlement agreement will be posted on the City’s website, MountainView.gov, when it becomes available.
Starting in September, the City will distribute a map to assist individuals living in vehicles find legal parking within the city. The map, which is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian, can also available online at our Parking Restrictions Map page.
For more details, view the news release and Frequently Asked Questions.
June 30, 2022
The litigation over the Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances is on hold. The City of Mountain View will not ticket or tow oversized vehicles for failing to comply with the Narrow Streets or Bike Lane ordinances for an additional 57-day period ending August 30, 2022. The stipulation is per this week's agreement with the plaintiffs who are suing the City in U.S. District Court over the voter-approved Narrow Streets Ordinance and the Bike Lane Ordinance. View the agreement.
July 14, 2021
View City of Mountain View's statement on the Narrow Streets Ordinance.
In Mountain View, a narrow street is defined as narrow when the street is 40 feet or less in width.
Of the City's 525 total public streets, 470 streets, or 1,081 blocks, qualify as narrow.
View the Narrow Streets List for specific streets and the Narrow Streets Map for general reference (as of May 24, 2022).
The City of Mountain View ordinance restricts the parking of oversized vehicles which exceed 22 feet in length, or 7 feet in width, or 7 feet in height, including boats, large trucks, and recreational vehicles (RVs).
The ordinance has limited exemptions and includes the following:
- Any oversized vehicle actively engaged in the loading or unloading of materials, supplies or goods in the delivery of goods, wares, merchandise or other materials at an adjacent business or residence for no longer than sixty (60) minutes;
- Construction vehicles with a valid City of Mountain View-issued excavation or encroachment permit;
- Commercial loading zones;
- Any vehicle belonging to or under contract with federal, state or local government authorities, or a public utility, and any emergency vehicles as defined by California Vehicle Code Sec. 165;
- Any commercial, business or public transit bus or commuter shuttle for no longer than two (2) hours, and any bus in an area specifically posted to allow bus parking for a prescribed time; and
- Wheelchair-accessible vans with a valid disabled placard or license plate issued and properly displayed pursuant to the California Vehicle Code.
Municipal Code Section
Municipal Code: SEC. 19.79.4. - Parking of oversized vehicles on certain narrow streets prohibited.
Schedule
See Latest Updates and Notifications for current construction schedule updates by neighborhood area.
Sequence
The sign installation sequence will be by neighborhood area, as follows:
- Monta Loma/Farley/Rock Street
- Moffett/Whisman Road
- Grant Road/Sylvan Park
- Springer/Cuesta/Phyllis
- Central Neighborhoods
- San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio
September 23, 2022
The fully executed settlement agreement in the Navarro v. City of Mountain View lawsuit is now available. View the settlement agreement.
September 1, 2022
The City of Mountain View and the plaintiffs in the Navarro v. City of Mountain View lawsuit have reached a tentative settlement over the Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances. As part of the agreed-upon terms, the City will begin enforcing the voter-approved Narrow Streets Ordinance and the Bike Lane Ordinance on Saturday, Oct. 1. The tentative settlement agreement will be posted on the City’s website, MountainView.gov, when it becomes available.
Starting in September, the City will distribute a map to assist individuals living in vehicles find legal parking within the city. The map, which is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian, can also available online at our Parking Restrictions Map page.
For more details, view the news release and Frequently Asked Questions.
June 30, 2022
The litigation over the Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances is on hold. The City of Mountain View will not ticket or tow oversized vehicles for failing to comply with the Narrow Streets or Bike Lane ordinances for an additional 57-day period ending August 30, 2022. The stipulation is per this week's agreement with the plaintiffs who are suing the City in U.S. District Court over the voter-approved Narrow Streets Ordinance and the Bike Lane Ordinance. View the agreement available at Narrow Streets Stipulation.
May 20, 2022
At the May 24, 2022 City Council meeting, the Council will discuss adding additional streets to the original Narrow Streets List. View the recommended Narrow Streets Map that includes the original Narrow Streets and additional streets.
April 4, 2022
The litigation over the Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances is on hold. The City of Mountain View will not ticket or tow oversized vehicles for failing to comply with the Narrow Streets or Bike Lane ordinances for an additional 90-day period ending July 4, 2022. The stipulation is per last week’s agreement with the plaintiffs who are suing the City in U.S. District Court over the voter-approved Narrow Streets Ordinance and the Bike Lane Ordinance. View the agreement available at Narrow Streets Stipulation.
April 4, 2022
In mid-February 2022, sign installations were completed in the final area of the San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio neighborhoods. (Neighborhood Area Map).
January 31, 2022
Sign installation began on January 31, 2022 in the San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio neighborhoods. This area is the final area for sign installations and the City anticipates installation completion by mid-February 2022. (Neighborhood Area Map)
January 10, 2022
The litigation over the Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances is on hold. The City of Mountain View will not ticket or tow oversized vehicles for failing to comply with the Narrow Streets or Bike Lane ordinances for a 90-day period ending April 5, 2022. The stipulation is per last week’s agreement with the plaintiffs who are suing the City in U.S. District Court over the voter-approved Narrow Streets Ordinance and the Bike Lane Ordinance.
December 2, 2021
Sign installation began on December 2, 2022 in the Central neighborhoods. The City anticipates the installation of signs to begin in the sixth neighborhood area of San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio in January 2022. (Neighborhood Area Map)
November 10, 2021
Sign installation began on November 8, 2021 in the Springer/Cuesta/Phyllis neighborhood. The City anticipates the installation of signs to begin in the fifth neighborhood area of Central at the beginning of December. (Neighborhood Area Map)
October 13, 2021
Sign installation began on October 11, 2021 in the Grant Road/Sylvan Park Neighborhood. The City anticipates the installation of signs to begin in the fourth neighborhood area of Springer/Cuesta/Phyllis at the beginning of November. (Neighborhood Area Map)
September 27, 2021
Sign installation began on September 24, 2021 in the Moffett/Whisman Road neighborhood. The City anticipates the installation of signs to begin in the third neighborhood area of Grant Road/Sylvan Park in mid-October (Neighborhood Area Map).
August 24, 2021
Sign installation began on August 16, 2021 in the Monta Loma/Farley/Rock Street neighborhood. The City anticipates the installation of signs to begin in the second neighborhood area of Moffett/Whisman Road in early-to-mid September. (Neighborhood Area Map)
July 30, 2021
Sign installation is expected to begin in the coming weeks, subject to materials availability.
July 14, 2021
View City of Mountain View's statement on the Narrow Streets Ordinance.
June 28, 2021
The City of Mountain View's contractor will start installing the first batch of "No Parking" signs for oversized vehicles on narrow streets in early-to-mid July.
June 2021
The City of Mountain View is preparing for the installation of “No Parking” signs to begin in the first neighborhood area of Monta Loma/Farley/Rock Street neighborhood at the end of June or beginning of July.
In mid-June, the City began mailing notices to residents and property owners on the narrow streets identified for sign installation in this neighborhood area. The City is also providing advance notifications to unstably housed individuals living in oversized vehicles in both English and Spanish prior to any enforcement to ensure people are aware of the ordinance. They are also receiving information on how to access the City’s Safe Parking, LifeMoves Mountain View and other housing programs, as well as human services.
With a primary focus on safety, the Mountain View Police Department will continue with its complaint-driven enforcement for parking-related concerns. The Police Department's approach begins with education and seeking voluntary compliance. The City can only begin enforcement when signage is installed on the narrow street.
The City will be installing the signs in phases by major neighborhood area through the end of 2021. Following signage installation in the neighborhood area of Monta Loma/Farley/Rock Street, crews will proceed clockwise to the Moffett/Whisman Road, Grant Road/Sylvan Park, Springer/Cuesta/Phyllis, Central Neighborhoods and end with the San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio neighborhood area.
Updates about the sign installation schedule will be posted on this webpage as they become available.
May 2021
The installation of “No Parking” signs for oversized vehicles on narrow streets is now anticipated to get underway towards the end of June 2021. The delay in starting field installation is due to a steel shortage identified by the materials supplier, affecting the ability of the City’s contractor to obtain the sign poles.
Approximately 1-2 weeks in advance of sign installation, the City will post notifications in the neighborhoods to inform the public and provide outreach to oversized vehicle owners. Updates will also be made to this webpage.
The signs will be installed in each neighborhood area in the following order: 1. Monta Loma/Farley/Rock Street, 2. Moffett/Whisman Road, 3. Grant Road/Sylvan Park, 4. Springer/Cuesta/Phyllis, 5. Central Neighborhoods and 6. San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio. View map.
April 2021
The earliest that sign installation will begin is May 2021. The City of Mountain View plans to install signs on the 444 streets, which qualify as narrow by being 40 feet wide or less. The sign installation will start in the Monta Loma/Farley/ Rock neighborhood area and move clockwise, ending with the San Antonio/Rengstorff/Del Medio neighborhood area. The City estimates that all of the “No Parking” signs will be installed by December 2021.
December 2020
After Mountain View voters approved the Measure C ballot measure in the November 2020 election, the City of Mountain View began implementing what is referred to as the Narrow Streets Ordinance. Measure C passed with 56.6% of the vote in the November 2020 election.
The city ordinance restricts the parking of oversized vehicles which exceed 22 feet in length, or 7 feet in width, or 7 feet in height, including boats, large trucks, and recreational vehicles (RVs), on narrow streets to address traffic safety concerns.
Although going into effect on Dec. 18, 2020, the ordinance cannot be enforced until signage is installed on narrow streets. The signage process includes manufacturing of the signs, engineering to determine sign placement, and actual installation.
The earliest that sign installation will begin is April 2021, and citywide sign installation is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
Sign Fabrication
Total signs: 2,600 signs ordered
Vendor: Custom Graphics, Inc.
Tentative delivery schedule: Sample was approved on April 8, 2021 and production is underway. The City is expected to receive the signs in four batches, minimum 650 signs per batch, minimum one batch per month following approval of the sample.
Sign Installation
Contractor: PCI
Work in progress: See construction schedule.
View Frequently Asked Questions about the City of Mountain View reaching tentative settlement on litigation over Narrow Streets and Bike Lane ordinances.
Narrow Streets Ordinance
SEC. 19.79.4. - Parking of oversized vehicles on certain narrow streets prohibited.
- No person shall park any oversized vehicle on narrow streets less than or equal to forty (40) feet in width, or portions thereof, as set forth by resolution of the city council.
- Exemptions. Subsection a. above shall not apply to any of the following:
- Any oversized vehicle actively engaged in the loading or unloading of materials, supplies or goods in the delivery of goods, wares, merchandise or other materials at an adjacent business or residence for no longer than sixty (60) minutes;
- Construction vehicles with a valid City of Mountain View-issued excavation or encroachment permit;
- Commercial loading zones;
- Any vehicle belonging to or under contract with federal, state or local government authorities, or a public utility, and any emergency vehicles as defined by California Vehicle Code Sec. 165;
- Any commercial, business or public transit bus or commuter shuttle for no longer than two (2) hours, and any bus in an area specifically posted to allow bus parking for a prescribed time; and
- Wheelchair-accessible vans with a valid disabled placard or license plate issued and properly displayed pursuant to the California Vehicle Code.
- This section shall not be enforced until a resolution is adopted prohibiting parking of oversized vehicles on specified streets, or portion thereof, less than forty (40) feet wide.
- Signage. The public works director shall place signs or markings giving adequate notice of the restriction. This section shall not be enforced until such signage has been installed.
- Penalties. In addition to the penalties for parking violations set forth in this chapter, vehicles parked in violation of this section shall be subject to removal from the public right-of-way at the registered owner's expense. The registered owner of the vehicle shall be liable for the cost of all towing and storage fees. Signs shall be posted giving notice of the removal of vehicles parked in violation of this section.
(Ord. No. 15.19 , § 2, 10/22/19.)
Bike Lane Ordinance
The City of Mountain View also has a Bike Lane Ordinance. For example, Middlefield and Rengstorff have bike lanes and are subject to the Bike Lane Ordinance that prohibits oversized vehicle parking on streets with bike lanes.
December 3, 2019
Oversized Vehicle Parking on Certain Streets Adjacent to Class II Bikeways Council Report (this was to adopt the resolution designating the streets subject to the ordinance.)
September 24, 2019
Council Introduced the Bike Lane Ordinance; Second reading occurred on October 22, 2019.
- June 30, 2022:Litigation over Narrow Streets and Bike Lane Ordinances Remains On Hold
- May 20, 2022:Proposed Street Parking Changes in Mountain View
- January 10, 2022:Litigation over Narrow Streets and Bike Lane Ordinances On Hold
- June 28, 2021:Installation of “No Parking” Signs on Mountain View’s Narrow Streets Beginning Soon
- December 9, 2020:City of Mountain View Certifies Voter-approved Restrictions for Oversized Vehicles on Narrow Streets
- November 17, 2020: City of Mountain View to Consider Next Steps for Measure C - includes FAQs
City Council Reports, Agendas and Meetings
- May 24, 2022: Council Report for Oversized Vehicle Parking on Narrow Streets and Streets adjacent to Class II Bikeways, and Introduction of an Ordinance and Adoption of Resolutions to Prohibit Parking of All Vehicles from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. at Designated Locations.
- May 24, 2022: 05-24-2022 Resolutions
- May 24, 2022: View 05-24-2022 City Council meeting and 05-24-2022 meeting agenda
- December 8, 2020: Oversized Vehicle Parking on Narrow Streets Council Report
- December 8, 2020: Resolution (includes listing of narrow streets)
- December 8, 2020: View 12-08-2020 City Council meeting and 12-08-2020 meeting agenda.
Department of Public Works
City Hall
500 Castro Street, 1st Floor
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 903-6311
public.works@mountainview.gov
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