Sunnyvale consultants propose clearer 72‑hour rule, oversized‑vehicle permits; residents press for enforcement and safe parking options

Christy Mancini, a principal with Walker Consultants, told a Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety community outreach meeting that the city asked consultants to study ways to respond to complaints about vehicles remaining on public streets under a 72‑hour rule. Mancini said the state rule (California Vehicle Code 22651(k)) limits on‑street parking duration to 72 hours and that Sunnyvale codified a version of that rule under municipal code language listed in the presentation as “10 16 1 20.” Mancini said the code is vague because it lacks a clear movement requirement, making enforcement subjective.

The consultants recommended three broad strategies for the city to consider: (1) update the 72‑hour ordinance to add a measurable movement requirement or a time‑to‑return restriction; (2) consider an oversized‑vehicle permit program that would prohibit oversized vehicles from parking on public streets except by permit; and (3) prohibit oversized vehicles near parks and schools. Tanya Schleck of Walker Consultants summarized peer‑city approaches, saying San Jose uses…