Exemption of news vehicles from certain provisions of this chapter.
San José Municipal Code § 11.36.230
in effect11.36.230 - Exemption of news vehicles from certain provisions of this chapter.
A. Except as provided in this section, the provisions pertaining to time-metered zones and posted zones regulating the stopping, standing and parking of vehicles, shall not apply to news vehicles so long as the operators of such vehicles register their names and the organization which they represent with and are in possession of a valid permit issued by a law enforcement agency or are in possession of press photographers' "pp" license plates as defined and issued pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 5008.
In addition to the aforementioned registration, exemptions from the above-stated provisions are conditional upon the fulfillment of the following requirements:
1. The registrant is regularly employed or engaged as a bona fide newspaper, radio or television reporter, researcher, photographer or camera operator;
2. The vehicle enjoying such exemption is at the scene of a news event;
3. The vehicle enjoying such exemption displays a valid press permit;
4. The operator of such vehicle is actually engaged in the duties of gathering the news;
5. The vehicle does not block, hinder or otherwise interfere with emergency equipment or activities, or in any way impede or inhibit the free flow of traffic on city highways;
6. The driver of the news vehicle exercises due prudence and caution in the parking of his vehicle;
7. The exemptions shall apply only for the duration of the news event.
B. The exemptions from the above-stated provisions regulating the stopping, standing and parking of vehicles will not operate to exempt news vehicles from the following areas at all times:
1. The south curb of East Santa Clara Street between South Fourth Street and South Sixth Street;
2. The east curb of South Fourth Street between Santa Clara Street and East San Fernando Street; and
3. The east and west curb of South Fifth Street between San Fernando Street and the end of the court adjacent to the Civic Center.
C. The exemptions from the above-stated provisions regulating the stopping, standing and parking of vehicles will not operate to exempt news vehicles from the operation of parking laws pertaining to road maintenance or repair needs.
D. Upon request, the chief of police, or his or her designee, shall issue identifications to persons meeting the criteria set forth in this section.
(Ords. 19405, 27364.)
Source: City of San José, Municipal Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11VETR_CH11.36STSTPA_PT1REGE_11.36.230EXNEVECEPRCHFetched: 11/1/2026