Vista’s illegal parking problem on Poinsettia Avenue

On Poinsettia Avenue in Vista, which runs parallel along the westbound side of Highway 78, catering trucks, vehicles for sale, and vehicles parked there to advertise services are a everyday sight from the freeway.

According to sheriff’s deputy Ken Wells, from the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station, these vehicles are in violation of California VC code: 22520.5, which states “No person shall solicit, display, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise vend or attempt to vend any merchandise or service while being wholly or partly within…within 500 feet of a freeway off ramp or on ramp [unless issued a permit].”

He also stated many of these vehicles are in violation of sections of vehicle code 22500, by parking to close to intersections, blocking sidewalks, and parking for over 72 hours.

Wells mentioned that since this section of Vista is in the jurisdiction of San Diego County, there is no City of Vista or City of San Marcos Community Service Officers to patrol and issue citations for these violations. In addition, these infractions are a problem to enforce unless they are related to complaints or incidents involving the vehicle; in many cases, owners of ticketed vehicles move the vehicles or never appear for court dates.