Shopping Carts
It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
- Remove a shopping cart from the premises or parking area of a business establishment.
- Leave or abandon a shopping cart at a location other than the premises or parking area of the retail establishment.
- Alter, convert, or tamper with a shopping cart, or to remove any part or portion thereof or to remove, obliterate or alter serial numbers on a cart.
- Be in possession of any shopping cart while that cart is not located on the premises or parking lot of a business establishment.
How do shopping carts get abandoned, anyway?
People "borrow" them. But people should know that removing carts from a store's parking lot - or even possessing a cart without the store's permission - is illegal and subject to a substantial fine.What can residents do?
First, don't be part of the problem. There are many "personal carts" available, and most are inexpensive - much less than the potential fine for taking a store cart!Why should I report an abandoned shopping cart?
Abandoned shopping carts are an eyesore in the community and actually attract additional litter. More importantly though, they present a danger to children who do not understand the consequences of "playing" with shopping carts.Citations
Citations can be issued for violation of the law. We look forward to a cart-free city and ask for your help to make the program a success!Municipal Code
Turlock Municipal Code 5-23Online Citizen Report Form