City Ordinances Made Easy

         All matters which the City regulates are found in the Municipal Codes. They are posted on the city web site www.la-quinta.org. They have the force of law, and as is true of all such ordinances and regulations are filled with legalese and shades of meaning. In an attempt to make them more understandable, the Cove Neighborhood Association (C.N.A.) with the assistance of the City, has tried to cull the major elements of each code and make them more understandable. Everything in this memo, however, is the responsibility of the C.N.A., and in all cases the codes themselves are binding. It is hoped, however, that this memo will be useful to Cove residents. The codes themselves are useful only when they are followed. The City has an active and able Code Compliance Office (777-7050). They however, have only limited personnel and cannot inspect every portion of the city at all times. It is therefore incumbent on the citizens to report all code violation to them promptly to assist them in their work. Each time a citizen reports a potential violation they not only assist the city, but also make life more pleasant for themselves as well as all their neighbors. We all should be committed to keep the city the way we want it and the way it is supposed to be.  
 
          I. TRASH CONTAINER STORAGE —Code §6.904.065
                         a. All trash containers for single-family or two-family dwellings shall be stored out of public view in a side or rear yard or an enclosed garage, except on pickup day. In no event shall such container be placed adjacent to the roadway for collection more than 12 hours prior to normal collection time. The container shall be removed to the storage area within twelve hours following collection.

b. If the physical design of the dwelling does not allow for obscuring containers from public view, containers shall be stored in the area adjacent to the dwelling at the point farthest from the closest street or roadway or in an enclosure adjacent to the dwelling designed to conform to the exterior design of the dwelling.

c. Small special purpose enclosures of fencing or landscaping to hide the containers are acceptable. The aim is to hide them from the street.

d. Violations subject to fines: 1st Offense - $50, 2nd Offense - $100, 3rdOffense -. $250  

 
                II. VEHICLE STORAGE /PARKING Code §12.28.040A, and §11.80.020
                         1. Vehicles may not remain on any street in excess of 72 hours. Any vehicle remaining on the street in excess of 72 hours is subject to citation or being towed. You can call the police in such matters, and also the Code Compliance Office will help.

2. Vehicles on the street that are wrecked, inoperable or pose a safety hazard may be towed immediately.

3. Vehicles parked in driveways must be operational and “street legal”, meaning currently registered. Inoperable vehicle certificates are not proof of current registration. Any vehicle that is not used for more than 10 days is considered stored and must be removed from public view.

4. Parking in the front yard or lawn is prohibited.

 
                 III. COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Code §12.32.110 and exemptions §12.32.120
                         1. Vehicles may not remain on any street in excess of 72 hours. Any vehicle remaining on the street in excess of 72 hours is subject to citation or being towed. You can call the police in such matters, and also the Code Compliance Office will help.

2. Vehicles on the street that are wrecked, inoperable or pose a safety hazard may be towed immediately.

3. Vehicles parked in driveways must be operational and “street legal”, meaning currently registered. Inoperable vehicle certificates are not proof of current registration. Any vehicle that is not used for more than 10 days is considered stored and must be removed from public view.

4. Parking in the front yard or lawn is prohibited.

 
                IV. RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND TRAILERS Code §9.60.130
                         1. These vehicles cannot be parked on the street for more than 72 hours in any seven-day period.2. For properties zoned RVL, RL, RM (this is the majority of the City) these vehicles must be parked behind a solid wall six feet in height.3. For properties zoned RC (this is the Cove area) the vehicle must be stored on a driveway or other approved pad.
 
           V. AUTOS, TRUCKS “FOR SALE” SIGNS
                        1. Roadway – Code §9.16.100 a. Prohibited signs “For Sale” signs affixed to vehicles parked on public right-of-way or on any vacant property.” 2. Shopping Centers – Code §12.28.130.05 b. Parking in a shopping center or business parking area or facility for a purpose other than doing business with one or more of the stores or offices at the site, or for a purpose not related to such business operation, or remaining parked for longer than reasonably appropriate to do such business or acts related to such business operations is prohibited.   
 
   VI.  ANIMALS
                         1. Dogs over 4 months in age are required to have a City of La Quinta license. To obtain a license you must have proof of rabies vaccination and pay the appropriate fee (at City Hall). 2. The City offers discounted rates for animals that have been altered, owners who are seniors, and with the purchase of multi-year licenses.

3. Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times when off the owner’s property.

4. Dog poop should be cleaned up.

5. Warning: When it is humid and warm it is best to leave your pet at home, and especially not in a parked car even for a quick errand. The temperature in your car can reach 160 degrees in a matter of minutes.f. Barking dogs that are causing a disturbance (especially at night) have been a problem. The law makes it very difficult to put a stop to unless the complainant is willing to sign a complaint. It is suggested that people citizens talk to Code Compliance/Animal Control. 
 
             VII. NOISE Code §11.08.040 and §9.100.210
                        1. “Unreasonably loud noise to the extent that it disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or imposes upon the privacy and rights of others” is included in Code §11.08.040. The standards that may be considered in determining whether a violation of this section exists, may include, but is not limited to the following:a) The level of the noise; b) The nature of the area within the noise emanates; c) The density of the inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates; d) The time of day or night; e) The duration of the noise; f) Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent or constant; g) Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or noncommercial activity.

2. These standards are vague and difficult to pin down. The City tends to fall back to some extent on §9.100.210 (code for Non-residential areas). You will find there that Exterior Noise Standards are defined in dB(A), a measure of loudness which can be checked by an instrument. These standards for 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. are 60 dB(A), and for 10;00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. are 50 dB(A).

3. Examples of these levels are: 45–quiet private office; 50–hotel restaurant; quiet speech at close proximity; 60–hospital recovery ward, heavy traffic; 65 – general office, normal speech at close proximity.

4. As you can see these are very low noises compared to what we in the Cove must experience which are closer to 75 – factory noise, fast-food restaurants or subway trains at 85 dB(A), lawnmowers at 90 and chain saws at 110.

5. Because they are so low and must be validated by instruments the City is uncomfortable in trying to control noise especially during the day. The level of over 50 dB(A) for after 10:00 p.m. is something they would agree is too loud.

6. Much noise comes at night, when the Code Compliance office is closed. It is best to depend on the police who intuitively seem to know what is too loud and what should be closed down.

 
                VIII. PUBLIC NUISANCES CODE §1172.030 AND OTHER ORDINANCES:
                        1. There are several other things, which the City regulates such as weeds, certain dwelling aspects that may cause a problem for neighbors, Business Licenses in the Cove, Garage Sale permits, etc. When in doubt all should feel free to call the City Code Compliance office at 777-7050 or view the full Codes at www.la-quinta.org
 
              IX. LIGHTING “DARK SKY” ORDINANCE CODE §9.60.160 & §90.100.150
            1. For many years the City has been passing an ordinance to control light emission at night in the city. Its purpose was two fold: i. To keep light on one property from spilling over on neighbors. ii. To keep the general level of light in the City at a minimum and where it was necessary to have light that it be directed downward away from the sky. Our nighttime sky is one of our rare beauties. The citizens felt it should be protected.iii. What types of light and intensity are permissible and what are not.-Quote- “Requirements for Shielding and Filtering. The requirements for shielding and filtering light emissions from outdoor light fixtures shall be as set forth in the following table:

Requirements for Shielding and Filtering of Outdoor Lighting

(see also footnotes following table)

Fixture Lamp Type

Shielding Requirement

Filtering Requirement

Low pressure sodium2

Partially

None

High pressure sodium

Fully

None

Metal halide3

Fully

Yes

Fluorescent

Fully4

Yes5

Quartz6

Fully

None

Incandescent, greater than 160 watts

Fully

None

Incandescent, 160 watts or less

None

None

Mercury vapor

Fully7

Yes7

Fossil Fuel

None

None

Glass tubes filled with neon, argon or krypton

None

None

Other sources

As required by the building official

Footnotes:

1 Most glass, acrylic or translucent enclosures satisfy these filter requirements. Quartz glass does not meet this requirement.

2 This is the preferred light source to minimize undesirable light into the night sky affecting

Astronomical observations.

3 Metal halide display lighting shall not be used for security lighting after eleven p.m. (or after closing hours if before eleven p.m.) unless fully shielded. Metal halide lamps shall be in enclosed luminaries.

4 Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding.

5 Warm white and natural lamps are preferred to minimize detrimental effects.

6 For the purposes of this section, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source.

7 Recommended for existing mercury vapor fixtures. The installation of new mercury fixtures is prohibited.

-End of quote-
 
     X. BUILDING PERMITS.
                        1. Permits are required for all new plumbing, roofing, electrical work, and structural renovation involving bearing walls. For installation of air conditioning check with the City.
 
       XI. GAS-FIRED MOTOR SCOOTERS.
                         1. Recently technology has brought gasoline motor propelled children’s scooter to the Cove. They are noisy, dangerous (the children do not know or obey motor vehicle regulations), and tend to proliferate, as every child wants to keep up with the neighbors. There seems to be no specific code regulating them, but they seem to come within the motor vehicle code and noise regulations.

2. The police department informs us that no one under sixteen may use these “toys”. And if the driver disobeys the moving vehicle code they will be cited.

3. It appears that the noise is such that along with motorcycles with no mufflers, loud lawn mowers, etc. they can be cited under the noise code.  

4. There seems to be an indication that vehicle code prohibits wheeled vehicles on the streets if they do not have seats, e.g. bicycles have a seat.

5. Our advice is to make sure these children and their parents are aware of these matters.

THE END