ORD 660 ORDINANCE NO. 660
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 9.36
(UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS PROHIBITED) TO TITLE 9 (PUBLIC
PEACE, MORALS, AND WELFARE) OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the citizens of Rancho Palos Verdes have experienced catalytic converter
thefts from automobiles over the past several years; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no City, State, or Federal legislation applicable within the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes ("City") to define and punish catalytic converter thefts absent an
identifiable victim; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no City, State, or Federal legislation applicable within the
City requiring individuals to provide proof to law enforcement as to how they obtained catalytic
converters, thus limiting law enforcement's ability to: (1) protect the public by preventing catalytic
converter thefts; and (2) seize suspected stolen catalytic converters when no victim is present;
and
WHEREAS, catalytic converter thefts are on the rise because individuals are incentivized
to commit catalytic,converter thefts for multiple reasons including, but not limited to: (1) the ease
and undetectable nature of committing such thefts, potentially in a matter of seconds and through
the use of common tools such as a reciprocating saw; (2)the ability to recycle catalytic converters
at scrap metal yards for high dollar returns ranging from $200 to $1,200 per catalytic converter;
and (3) loopholes in legislation protecting criminals from prosecution unless a victim can be
identified; and
WHEREAS, preventing these crimes at present is nearly impossible due to the ease and
speed with which catalytic converter thefts can be committed and the difficulty of tracing a
particular catalytic converter back to its prior owner (the victim), because catalytic converters
typically have no identifying markers; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department are in need of legislation criminalizing mere possession of catalytic converters absent
proof of ownership or lawful possession, for multiple reasons including, but not limited to: (1)
achieving deterrence by establishing zero-tolerance for catalytic converter thefts; (2) establishing
sanctions for possessing stolen catalytic converters; (3) preventing criminals from profiting from
the sale and recycling of stolen catalytic converters; and (4) minimizing the fiscal and personnel
impact on the City and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department by reducing the time invested
in deterring and investigating catalytic converter thefts; and
WHEREAS, individuals who are in possession of stolen catalytic converters recycle them
for substantial profit while victims of these thefts suffer tremendous consequences in the form of
costly repairs, inconvenience, and feelings of a lack of safety in the community; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is necessary to provide the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and
the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department clear legal authority to better protect the public and
deter this criminal activity.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals are true and correct, and the City Council finds the
same to be material to the adoption of this ordinance and incorporates them herein by reference.
Section 2: Chapter 9.36 (Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic Converter Prohibited) of
Title 9(Public Peace, Morals, and Welfare) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code is hereby
added to read in its entirety as follows:
"Chapter 9.36 UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER
PROHIBITED
9.36.010 Intent.
9.36.020 Definitions.
9.36.030 Unlawful possession of a catalytic converter prohibited.
9.36.040 Violations.
9.36.010 Intent.
I
The purpose of this chapter is to establish clear legal authority for law enforcement
to protect the public and deter the unlawful possession of catalytic converters.
9.36.020 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the
following meanings:
"Lawful possession" means (1) being the lawful owner of the catalytic converter or
(2) in possession of the catalytic converter with the lawful owner's written consent.
"Documentation or other proof" means written document(s)that clearly identify the
vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated based on the totality of the
circumstances, and includes, but is not limited to,the following types of documents:
A. Bill of sale from the original owner with the signature of the vehicle owner
authorizing the removal of the catalytic converter, as well as the name, address,
and telephone number of the vehicle owner.
B. Documentation from an auto-body shop or similar business proving that the
owner relinquished the catalytic converter to the auto-body shop or similar
business.
Ordinance No. 660
Page 2 of 4
C. Verifiable electronic communication from the previous owner to the
possessor relinquishing ownership of the catalytic converter.
D. Photographs of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated
clearly showing the license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN)
of the car from which the catalytic converter was removed.
9.36.030 Unlawful possession of a catalytic converter prohibited.
A. It shall be unlawful to possess any catalytic converter that is not attached
to a vehicle, unless the possessor has valid documentation or other proof to verify
that they are in lawful possession of the catalytic converter.
B. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly falsify or cause to be falsified any
information in any documentation or other proof intended to show valid proof of
ownership or possession of a catalytic converter.
9.36.040 Violations.
A. Each and every violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation
and shall be subject to all remedies and enforcement measures authorized by
Section 1.08.010 (Misdemeanors — Infractions — Nuisances) of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code. Each and every catalytic converter unlawfully possessed
is a separate violation of this section.
B. The remedies provided herein are not to be construed as exclusive
remedies. The City is authorized to pursue any proceedings or remedies provided
by law."
Section 3: The City Council finds that this Ordinance is exempt from the requirements of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not constitute a "project" under
CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) in that it constitutes general policy and procedure making,
regulating the unlawful possession of a catalytic converter.
Section 4: Severability. The City Council hereby declares, if any provision, section,
subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word of this ordinance is rendered or declared invalid,
unconstitutional or unenforceable by any final action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by
reason of any preemptive legislation, the City Council would have independently adopted the
remaining provisions, sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, phrases or words of this
ordinance and as such they shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5: Effectiveness of Ordinance. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days after
its adoption.
Ordinance No. 660
Page 3 of 4
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16TH day of August 2022.
•-•- ;5s1;;1===.
avid L. Bradley, Mayor
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Attest: - :
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61-k:<( 14'44-e`evi---
Teresa
a, City Clerk
A
STATE (C)F,CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OFLOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the whole
number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing Ordinance No. 660,
passed first reading on August 2, 2022, was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of
said City at a regular meeting thereof held on August 16, 2022, and that the same was passed
and adopted by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
ABSENT: None vv'', ,,°
ABSTAIN: None
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Tere a akaoka, CitYGlerk
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Ordinance No. 660
Page 4 of 4
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES)
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the City Clerk of
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on August 17, 2022, she caused to be posted the following document
entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 660, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, ADDING
CHAPTER 9.36 (UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS PROHIBITED) TO TITLE 9 (PUBLIC PEACE,
MORALS, AND WELFARE) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE, a copy of which is attached hereto, in the
following locations:
City Hall Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South
Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct affidavit of
posting.
�mta�ea�_
City Clerk