Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board advances Tahoe Basin no‑parking rule to align with Placer County, citing clearer enforcement
Summary
Supervisors approved first reading of an ordinance to make county no‑parking rules in the Lake Tahoe Basin (through May 1) clearer and consistent with neighboring jurisdictions. Supporters said the change removes ambiguity about when snow-removal restrictions apply; CHP enforcement discretion remains.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18 gave first reading to an ordinance that would revise county code to establish a winter no-parking restriction in the Lake Tahoe Basin from Nov. 1 through May 1.
Jim Honeycutt, traffic superintendent, told the board the amendment (ordinance 5249) "removes the phrase 'when snow removal conditions exist'" and aligns the county with the Tahoma/West Shore/Placer County approach, removing day‑to‑day uncertainty and making enforcement and signage more straightforward.
"This change eliminates ambiguity and creates consistency with neighboring Placer County," Honeycutt said, adding that the South Lake Tahoe Traffic Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the update and that law enforcement partners support clearer rules for enforcement.
Supporters from the Basin told the board the change has worked in other jurisdictions. "It's worked seamlessly up here," said Ed Miller of Tahoma, who said consistent posted dates helped snowplow operations and emergency response. Some commenters asked about exceptions and enforcement on days without snow; Honeycutt said CHP typically exercises enforcement discretion and the ordinance retains language to allow specific signed areas where parking is permitted.
Supervisor Brooke Lane said she favors the change because it reduces confusion about when declarations would need to be issued under the current language, and asked staff to retain language allowing the county to identify specific areas where parking is permitted for trail access or other needs. The board waived full reading and continued the ordinance to Dec. 2 for final passage and second reading.
