Authority to Remove Vehicles for Sale
San Diego Municipal Code § 86.0138
in effect§86.0138 Authority to Remove Vehicles for Sale
(a) Purpose. The Council of the City of San Diego finds that the display of vehicles for sale on its streets creates a distraction for drivers and pedestrians, thereby creating a hazard; creates a nuisance for the community; and decreases the parking available for businesses and residents. Council further finds that numerous methods are available and necessary to alleviate this problem in the method most appropriate for the affected community. The purpose of this Section is to authorize and empower the City Manager to take various actions when the use of public streets for the private sale of vehicles adversely affects communities in the City of San Diego.
(b) It is unlawful to park a vehicle on a street designated pursuant to Section 86.0138(e) when, because of a sign or placard on the vehicle, it appears that the primary purpose of parking the vehicle at that location is to display to the public that the vehicle is for sale.
(c) A notice of violation for Section 86.0138(b) must be accompanied by:
(1) A warning that an additional violation of Section 86.0138(b) may result in the impoundment of the vehicle, even if the vehicle is moved to another street designated under this section, so long as the sign or placard offering the vehicle for sale remains on the vehicle.
(2) A list of the streets subject to this section.
(d) The City Manager has the authority to order the removal of any vehicle from any designated street when, because of a sign or placard on the vehicle, it appears that the primary purpose of parking the vehicle at that location is to display to the public that the vehicle is for sale, and when the vehicle has previously been issued a notice of violation for Section 86.0138(b) within the last 30 days, but not less than 24 hours. The City Manager may order removal of a vehicle even if the vehicle has been moved to a different street, so long as that street is also a designated street pursuant to Section 86.0138(e) and all the requirements of this section are satisfied.
(e) The streets subject to this section shall be determined by Resolution of the Council.
(Renumbered from former Section 86.23.1 and amended 8-5-2013 by O-20281 N.S.; effective 9-4-2013.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter08/Ch08Art06Division01.pdf#page=20Fetched: 10/28/2026