Fish Camp council asks county to amend code to restrict roadway parking during snow season

The Fish Camp Community Council voted to ask Mariposa County to amend its code to expand winter no-parking restrictions on roads used for snowplay and to standardize the seasonal end date to May 1.

Council members and residents described repeated incidents of visitors parking on shoulders and private property, creating traffic and safety hazards during winter storms and when snow draws large crowds. The motion requests that Mariposa County amend Mariposa County Code 10.08.0202 to (1) extend the existing restricted section on either side of State Highway 41 to Pine Street, with the seasonal period ending May 1, and (2) add the full length of White Chief Mountain Road, Vine Street, Fairview Street and turnout areas at Cedar and Fir as restricted segments.

The request also asks the county to coordinate with Caltrans on signs that direct the public to the designated Snowplay area and to consider how enforcement (including whether sheriff's deputies could issue parking citations) might be implemented. Council members said they would follow up with county staff and Caltrans on signage options and with the sheriff on enforcement possibilities.

Why it matters: Residents said visitors unfamiliar with Fish Camp are parking along narrow shoulders and in front of private driveways, increasing the risk of collisions and blocking emergency access. Council members argued that clearer no-parking designations and directional signage could reduce roadside congestion and improve safety while steering people toward the official snowplay site.

What the council asked the county to do - Amend Mariposa County Code 10.08.0202 to extend the State Highway 41 restrictions to Pine Street and to change the seasonal end date from (previously listed dates) to May 1 so the code is consistent across years. - Add separate numbered entries for White Chief Mountain Road, Vine Street, Fairview Street, Cedar and Fir so each road segment is plainly defined. - Coordinate with Caltrans on allowable sign locations and the number of signs that can be placed along the state right-of-way, and evaluate posting temporary or permanent directional signage to the legal Snowplay area. - Discuss enforcement options with the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, including the feasibility of issuing tickets for illegal parking.

Residents and officials who spoke at the meeting emphasized that some of the roadside areas are paved shoulders rather than formal turn lanes and that Caltrans rules limit sign placement and quantity. A Caltrans representative told the council that paved shoulders east of the bridge are not designated right-turn lanes on state maps and that sign placement in the state right-of-way would need coordination with the agency.

The council approved the motion by voice vote; members present said “aye,” and the motion carried. The motion asked county staff to draft the specific code amendments and to return recommendations to the council; the text of the motion and the votes were recorded as a voice vote and counts were not specified in the meeting record.

The council also asked staff to check whether the county could request additional temporary facilities at the Snowplay site (residents and the Sierra National Forest district recreation ranger had discussed porta‑potty deployment) and to work with the park, Caltrans and local businesses on informational signage.