New Malibu Ordinance Requires Reflective Apparel For Valets

MALIBU, CA — A new ordinance, approved in June by the Malibu City Council requiring valet attendants to wear high-visibility safety vests, is now in effect, the city announced.

The ordinance, approved on June 27, 2016, was designed to improve the safety of the parking attendants as well as their customers, especially on Pacific Coast Highway, the city said.

"Valet attendants are out working on PCH while hundreds of vehicles are whizzing past with little room to spare, at high speed, often at night when visibility is already low," Mayor Lou La Monte said. "Highly reflective apparel will help keep the valets safer while they work, and help motorists avoid them. Our priority is to do everything we can to improve safety on PCH."

The ordinance applies to all valet services anywhere in the city, including restaurants and private events. The Malibu Volunteers on Patrol will begin outreach efforts to local valet services and restaurants to explain the ordinance and encourage valet attendants to wear high-visibility safety apparel at all times.

The city is also mailing information to valet services and restaurants directly, and distributing information about the ordinance on social media and on the city's Code Enforcement webpage. In addition, information about the new requirements will be provided to those applying for permits for private events utilizing valet services.

In 2012, the Malibu Public Safety Commission raised concerns about the safety of valet attendants while they are parking and retrieving vehicles along PCH. The Commission recommended an ordinance requiring valet attendants to wear high-visibility safety apparel at all times.

The new ordinance was modeled after the California Department of Transportation's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which specifies that people working in the public right-of-way who are exposed to traffic must wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the requirements of the American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association.

The cities of Los Angeles and Austin, Texas have enacted similar ordinances aimed at enhancing safety for valet parking attendants working in the public rights-of-way.

Image courtesy of the city of Malibu.