Santa Maria, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 7-14 covers any unattended property, other than a vehicle, that is found standing, parked, erected or lying in a public street, avenue, alley, sidewalk, thoroughfare, parkway, park or other public place so that it obstructs the street, sidewalk or public right-of-way. 01 declares that obstruction a nuisance outright and authorizes removal to a designated impound location by the Director of Recreation and Parks, the Chief of Police, a Police Department member, a City Ranger, or another duly constituted agent. 02 requires notice: if ownership is known, the department mails a letter identifying the property, its impound date and location, and the fees needed for redemption; if the owner cannot be determined, the City posts a description at City Hall for at least 10 calendar days, with notice deemed given at the end of that period.

03 bars release until all costs of impounding, notice and redemption, set by Council resolution, are paid in full. 04 directs the sale of the property at public auction, after published notice, with proceeds applied first to sale costs, then to impound and storage costs, and any balance returned to a proven owner; the City may destroy the property instead of auctioning it if its fair market value would not cover the costs of the sale. This entire chapter was added by Ordinance 2020-07, effective July 2, 2020, replacing the City's prior general approach to abandoned obstructions.