Absolutely, they can be too broad and vague as to targeted intent. My own education with this began when I started my first business in Ca. Using purposeful wording, once you get a commercial business license in Ca. they own you in one way or another through laws and regulations. You had better do very extensive homework and understand the laws and regulations that might affect your particular situation front to back with out a doubt.
Example, I was in the auto/truck service business and once got a ticket on a vehicle that was sitting inside my shop being worked on. The ticket was for “operating an expired vehicle on or near a highway” because the tags had expired. In this wording the one word “near” makes the law completely open ended and totally up to the officer’s discretion as to what “near” means. It means ANYWHERE they want, even if it is not being “operated” and on private property inside an open repair shop unless “non-operation” fees and permit have been purchased for the vehicle.
I have been fortunate enough to have gone to court with different Ca agencies many times over the years because of the broad wording of laws and regulations that do not pinpoint detailed definition and are open ended. And there is no way to win, If you are not in violation of one they have one that they can claim you are indeed violating because of broad language. It’s a scam...
I totally agree. My old job was to make sure building plans complied with codes and I also did inspections. “Go by the written” was a concept I had to explain to my co-workers. The building official supported me so that helped. He also allowed common sense to play a part- I know, who would believe it? Going beyond the obvious would get you reined in very quickly.
In a incident similar to yours I had a lady come into the department telling me she needed a permit to screen over her garbage cans which were behind a fence. I turned her away because I could not believe code-enforcement required this and she may have misunderstood. Nope. The code read that garbage cans had to be in an enclosed area unless out for pick up. Behind a fence out of view was not enough. But if she added a screen they would be o.k. Well what to do? I asked my boss if we could just issue her a permit for $1.00. We did and code enforcement was happy. But really- that poor lady being put through such nonsense.
I see in your case the officer ignored the whole “operating” part of that ordinance.