Shopping Cart Ordinance

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In March 2020, a new chapter, 9.66, to the Glendora Municipal Code was added to regulate and establish an abatement and enforcement program pertaining to abandoned shopping carts.

This ordinance is applicable to every business that utilizes shopping or other types of carts on their premises. Specifically, with the adoption of the proposed ordinance in accordance with State law (California Business and Professions Code, Section 22435):

Owners of shopping carts (retail stores) are required to prevent the removal of shopping carts from the premises through a documented plan;
Businesses are required to include signage on their property about the removal of shopping carts;
Shopping carts are required to include signage which includes information about the ownership of the cart, the process for retrieving carts, and the violation of law regarding the removal of carts from the premises;
Removal of shopping carts from the store’s premises without the owner’s written approval is a violation of this code and violators will be cited,
A formal procedure for the retrieval of abandoned or stolen shopping carts must be established.

Business License Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What shopping cart program does the City currently have?
- The Public Works Street Division picks up abandoned shopping carts and delivers them to the City’s Public Works Yard. Cartac picks up carts and returns them to their owners on a periodic basis.
Why are we implementing a formal shopping cart program now?
- The City was responding to 5-10 abandoned shopping carts per month. Over the past 6 months, the Public Works Department is picking up 20-25 abandoned shopping carts per week.
- Abandoned shopping carts pose a threat by obstructing pedestrian access, interfering with pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and emergency services.
- Adopting this program will allow staff to cite offenders and work with businesses to reduce the amount of shopping carts unlawfully taken from their properties. Citations will be issued to those found in possession of stolen carts. The fines for the citations are as follows:
  - 1st offense: $100.00
  - 2nd offense: $200.00
  - 3rd and subsequent offenses: $500.00
What other local cities have similar programs?
- While many cities in California has shopping cart ordinances, the local cities of Azusa, Duarte, Covina, San Dimas, and Pomona all have programs.
Does the City have the ability to impound off-property shopping carts?
- Identified abandoned carts may be removed from private and public property 3 days after notification is provided to the cart owner. Unidentified carts are subject to immediate impoundment.
Are cart owners notified by the City that their carts were found off their property?
- Owners of identified carts found on public or private property shall be notified via telephone or written notice in United States mail. Owners of carts that are subject to immediate impoundment are notified within 24 hours of impoundment.
Do businesses have to pay a fee for recovering impounded shopping cart?
- Any cart reclaimed by the cart owner within 3 business days following notification shall be released with no charge whatsoever. Any cart not reclaimed by the cart owner within 3 business days following notice shall be subject to any applicable fee imposed pursuant to Section 9.66.080(D)
What is an on-site cart containment program?
- It is a system selected by the retail establishment that results in no more than 5 shopping carts being removed from the business premises or parking area without the owner’s consent within a 12-month period. Effective containment programs may include, disabling devises to prevent the movement of carts, on-site security to prevent removal of carts from business premises, or any other measure approved by the program director.
Do I need to post signs or label my cart?
- Yes. The cart owner shall provide signage on their premises in a conspicuous location notifying cart users that removal of carts from the premises or parking area is prohibited without the written consent of the retail establishment. All carts at a retail establishment must have a permanently affixed sign that states the following:
  - Identifies the owner of the cart and/or retailer
  - Notifies the public of the procedure to authorize the removal of the cart from the owner’s premises
  - Notifies the public that the unauthorized removal of the cart from the owner’s premises or unauthorized possession of the cart is a violation of State law
  - Lists a valid telephone number or address for returning the cart to its owner
Can I be exempt from having an on-site containment program?
- Any person owning a retail establishment where carts are available for customer use must implement and maintain an effective cart nuisance abatement program.
When is the proposed program implemented?
- Enforcement of the Shopping Cart program will begin in September 2020. Businesses subject to this ordinance will be required to provide information regarding their cart supply and plans to comply with the ordinance on their next business license renewal application and every two years thereafter.
What happens to items left in abandoned carts?
- Any items left in abandon shopping carts are sorted into three categories: bulk personal property, intrinsic items and trash. Bulk personal property are held at the Public Works Yard for 90-days, while all intrinsic items are inventoried and kept for 90-days at the Police Department; all trash is disposed of.

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