Does a "private street" actually mean anything?

[Danz la Nuit]

(Only pic I could find to show what I am talking about)

My friend lives on a street in San Diego County that has this PVT notation on the sign as well (it's a more normal green rectangular design tho)

So... what does this actually mean legally?

Who actually owns the road?

Does this change anything in terms of a LEO contact on this road?

(ie: Riding a non street legal dirt bike) (ie: Asking an LEO to leave if not responding to a call)

[Ron-Solo]

There are many variables. It means the city or county does not maintain the road. Most of these streets are "dedicated" to the local government for enforcement purposes and the vehicle code applies. They are open to public access, to LE has as much right as anyone to be there.

This is just a brief synopsis.

[TrailerparkTrash]

It means that its not "public" property. Generally vehicle code can not be enforced on private streets unless......

..... The pvt person or entity allows free public access on the road and consents to having the police enforce vehicle codes on that property. For instance, many private roads in condo complexes have signs posted saying that "vehicle code strictly enforced...". Etc.....

IIRC, cause ive been out of the traffic ticket business detail for a while, the vehicle code used to say that signs had to be posted on pvt property that VC's would be enforced by LE, usually at the entrance of private lands etc.... If in fact that was the intend to do so.

[BigDogatPlay]

There are many variables. It means the city or county does not maintain the road. Most of these streets are "dedicated" to the local government for enforcement purposes and the vehicle code applies. They are open to public access, to LE has as much right as anyone to be there.

This is just a brief synopsis.

^^^This^^^ is largely spot on. There are always local nuances, but remember that DUI, reckless driving, disabled parking and a few other VC misdemeanors are enforceable anywhere, anytime.

One thing to add.... to be maintained in the status of "private road" in many cases the road has to be controlled periodically. My parents lived in a non-gated, but private roadway, community for many years. The homeowners association hired a security company every other year to control access to the property for one 24 hour period, which satisfied the requirement. Gated communities, where access is controlled all the time don't need to do that step.

[dls]

My Dad lives on a Private St. also. The HOA owns it. and there is no overnight parking on the street,I kinda like that part.

[Saym14]

It means that its not "public" property. Generally vehicle code can not be enforced on private streets unless......

..... The pvt person or entity allows free public access on the road and consents to having the police enforce vehicle codes on that property. For instance, many private roads in condo complexes have signs posted saying that "vehicle code strictly enforced...". Etc.....

IIRC, cause ive been out of the traffic ticket business detail for a while, the vehicle code used to say that signs had to be posted on pvt property that VC's would be enforced by LE, usually at the entrance of private lands etc.... If in fact that was the intend to do so.

this - except the local CIty or county must pass an ordinance or resolution specifically authorizing enforcement upon request of the owners(HOA etc). AND it must be posted that the vehicle code is enforced and list the city ordinance. this is just vehicle code enforcment.

if the raod is generally open to the public and not gated then they can likely drive up and down it like anyone else. but not cite you for speeding.

however there are three cites that can be made on private property without the ord and posting, reckless drving, handicapp parking nd fire lane parking violations.

[hitman13]

In Az we only the following traffic on private streets or private property:
DUI
Hit and run
Handicap parking spot violations

[Danz la Nuit]

The road is always open to the public (no gate), there are only 8 properties (homes) on the street, there is no homeowners association.

There is an additional sign posted at the beginning of the street emphasizing that it's "private property" that was posted by one of the homeowners many years back when kids from the nearby school would come in and throw rocks/steal citrus etc.

[BigDogatPlay]

If the city has put up the street sign indicating that it's a private street, I'd have to believe there has been some measure of what has been described above (city council action, controlling access for 24hrs, etc.) to support that happening.

May have happened years ago.

[Saym14]

The road is always open to the public (no gate), there are only 8 properties (homes) on the street, there is no homeowners association.

There is an additional sign posted at the beginning of the street emphasizing that it's "private property" that was posted by one of the homeowners many years back when kids from the nearby school would come in and throw rocks/steal citrus etc.

so any LEO can drive down it. but they can not enforce the vehicle code. they can only Cite for reckless driving, fire lane and wheel chair parking. fromthe CVC....

Private Roads Not Open for Public Use
21107.7. (a)Any city or county may, by ordinance or resolution, find and declare that there are privately owned and maintained roads as described in the ordinance or resolution within the city or county that are not generally held open for use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel but, by reason of their proximity to or connection with highways, the interests of any residents residing along the roads and the motoring public will best be served by application of the provisions of this code to those roads. No ordinance or resolution shall be enacted unless there is first filed with the city or county a petition requesting it by a majority of the owners of any privately owned and maintained road, or by at least a majority of the board of directors of a common interest development, as defined by Section 1351 of the Civil Code, that is responsible for maintaining the road, and without a public hearing thereon and 10 days' prior written notice to all owners of the road or all of the owners in the development. Upon enactment of the ordinance or resolution, the provisions of this code shall apply to the privately owned and maintained road if appropriate signs are erected at the entrance to the road of the size, shape, and color as to be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 100 feet, to the effect that the road is subject to the provisions of this code. The city or county may impose reasonable conditions and may authorize the owners, or board of directors of the common interest development, to erect traffic signs, signals, markings, and devices which conform to the uniform standards and specifications adopted by the Department of Transportation.

(b) The department shall not be required to provide patrol or enforce any provisions of this code on any privately owned and maintained road subjected to the provisions of this code under this section, except those provisions applicable to private property other than by action under this section.

(c) As used in this section, "privately owned and maintained roads" includes roads owned and maintained by a city, county or district that are not dedicated to use by the public or are not generally held open for use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

Amended Ch. 605, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.

[Danz la Nuit]

Interesting!

[Bobby Ricigliano]

It is my understanding that certain vehicle codes and parking enforcement are not applicable. The private streets in our RD's are also privately maintained and appear very rural.

[Pedantic]

Try checking the county assessor's land records. Where I grew up, several horse properties were subdivided and private streets were paved to allow access for the homes further back. The homeowners were responsible for maintaining that section of the private road directly in front of their individual lots up to the middle of the street. For smaller lots, one homeowner held title to the road, but everyone had an easement to use it.