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Council approves ordinances on abandoned vehicle abatement and official police towing service
Summary
Yucaipa council introduced and passed first readings for an abandoned vehicle abatement ordinance (4‑55) and a new towing ordinance (4‑56) on May 12, creating a formal abatement process and requiring city‑designated tow providers; council members said the changes target longtime nuisance vehicles and improve convenience for residents.
The Yucaipa City Council approved initial actions May 12 to add an abandoned vehicle abatement chapter (ordinance 4‑55) and to adopt a towing ordinance (4‑56) that would establish standards for official police tow service providers.
Staff told the council the abandoned vehicle ordinance would add Chapter 10.16 to the municipal code to allow the city to identify, notify and remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles on public and private property. The ordinance follows state vehicle code authority and, staff said, provides notice and an opportunity to cure before removal. Staff reported neighboring jurisdictions have similar programs; San Bernardino County does not currently operate an equivalent countywide program.
Council discussion cited years‑long nuisance vehicles in some neighborhoods; members said they wanted strong notification and opportunities to work with owners before removal. Staff said the program’s procedures include inspections for hazardous materials and demolition as needed, and that the program includes a 30‑day removal window after final adoption.
On towing, staff proposed a new municipal chapter to define requirements for the city’s official police towing providers (location, response times, lot size, evidence storage, security and accessibility). Staff said the change allows the city to specify tow yards inside Yucaipa for ease of residents recovering vehicles and to impose regulatory standards on tow yards used for enforcement to reduce inconvenience to residents.
Council introduced both ordinances and recorded first‑reading approvals. Roll call on ordinance 4‑55 (abandoned vehicles) showed all council members voting yes on introduction and first reading. For the towing ordinance 4‑56, the roll call similarly supported introduction and first reading. Staff said both items will return for second reading and final adoption at a later meeting.
Council members emphasized they did not intend to take vehicles without notice; they described the ordinances as tools to work with property owners and to address chronic problem vehicles that block sidewalks or create safety hazards.
