by Timothy Rutt

Starting Dec. 7, large trucks and RVs need to mind their manners on Altadena streets.

That's the date a new county ordinance takes effect, where large vehicles parked on the street need to sport a temporary permit or risk being ticketed and towed.

According to Altadena Sheriff spokesman Duane L. Allen, the county Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance Nov. 7 that seeks to reduce the number of "nonconforming vehicles" that are parked on city streets for extended periods.

Noncomforming vehicles are defined as those those more than eight feet wide, seven and a half feet high, or 20 feet in length, with or without a trailer.

Residents of several streets have complained about large vehicles — some not even owned by a resident — parked in their neighborhood for days or weeks at a time.  As long as it was moved every three days to avoid a ticket, there was little local law enforcement could do.

Under the new ordinance, any vehicle parked on the street between the hours of 1 AM – 8 AM without a valid permit is subject to ticketing, and, says Allen, is "instantly towable."

Allen said permits are free, and are issued at the Altadena Sheriff's Station.  The permits allow a nonconforming vehicle to be parked on the street for no more than two consecutive 24 hour periods, and no more than three permits within any three month period will be issued for any one nonconforming vehicle.

Permits will be issued at the station, 780 E. Altadena Dr., between 10 AM-6 PM.  Emergency permits may be obtained by calling the station at 798-1131 for assistance.