Brentwood's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Brentwood, California, there are 10 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Driveway Rules

Vehicles parked in a Brentwood front yard or unfenced side yard must sit entirely on a paved driveway area or matching driveway extension, and only passenger vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and light trucks qualify; trailers, boats and RVs are excluded from that space entirely.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 17.620.016(C)(4)(a). Front yard surface required: Impervious paved driveway area or matching extension. Qualifying vehicles: Passenger vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, light trucks only. Excluded from front yard: Trailers, boats, motorhomes, RVs. Size limit: 20 ft length, 12 ft height max.

Code enforcement can cite a front-yard vehicle parked on unpaved ground, on a mismatched surface, or one that is oversized or blocks the visibility triangle, as a violation of Section 17.620.016. Repeat or unresolved violations are processed as municipal code violations, and vehicles parked in the right-of-way beyond 72 hours are separately subject to towing under the California Vehicle Code and Chapter 10.13.

EV Charging

Brentwood runs an expedited, streamlined building-permit process for electric vehicle charging stations under Municipal Code Chapter 15.14, adopted to implement Government Code Section 65850.7. Applicants submit a standard application plus the city's EV charging station checklist, both available online.

Key details: Governing chapter: Brentwood Municipal Code Ch. 15.14. State authority: Government Code § 65850.7. Application: City form plus EV checklist, filed online. Incomplete application: Written correction notice issued. Denial standard: Written findings of specific health/safety impact.

There is no separate fine schedule in Chapter 15.14; enforcement runs through the standard building permit process administered by the chief building official. An installation built without the required permit is subject to the city's general building code enforcement remedies, including stop-work orders and correction notices, the same as any unpermitted electrical or building work. A denial must be issued in writing with findings tied to a specific, evidence-based health or safety impact; an applicant who disagrees with a denial can pursue the appeal path available for building permit decisions generally under the Municipal Code.

RV & Boat Parking

Brentwood lets homeowners store an RV, boat, trailer or motorhome in a side or rear yard, but never in a front yard or unfenced side yard. Side and rear yard storage caps height at twelve feet and requires a solid six-foot fence or screened wrought iron or chain link fence.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 17.620.016(C)(4)(b). Front/unfenced side yard: RVs, boats, trailers prohibited. Side/rear yard height limit: 12 feet maximum. Screening required: Solid 6-ft fence or screened wrought iron/chain link. Access driveway curb cut: Requires encroachment permit.

Code enforcement issues correction notices for RVs, boats or trailers stored in violation of Section 17.620.016, typically an over-height unit, one without required screening fencing, or one occupying the access driveway itself. Continued noncompliance can be cited as a municipal code violation and, if the vehicle is inoperative or abandoned, may trigger abatement under Chapter 10.20's separate abandoned vehicle process.

Curb Color Rules

Painting a street or curb surface anywhere in Brentwood without city authorization is illegal under Municipal Code Section 10.06.120. The one exception is curb house numbers, which are allowed only after the city engineer gives written authorization to the person doing the painting.

Key details: General rule: No unauthorized curb or street painting. Exception: House numbers with written city engineer OK. Color code authority: City engineer, § 10.13.260. Removal: Unauthorized paint removable without notice.

Unauthorized curb or street painting is enforced as a Title 10 violation under Section 10.21.010, chargeable as an infraction, misdemeanor, or civil penalty under California Vehicle Code Division 17. The city engineer or police may also treat an unauthorized paint job as an unauthorized traffic device under Section 10.06.080 and remove it without advance notice.

Preferential Parking Districts

Brentwood lets the city engineer create permit parking areas in neighborhoods overwhelmed by outside parking demand under Municipal Code Section 10.13.280. Once posted with permit signs, it is unlawful to park in the area during restricted hours without a permit issued by the chief of police.

Key details: Establishing authority: City engineer, per CA Vehicle Code. Permit issuer: Chief of police or designee. Eligible users: Residents, owners, employees, authorized guests. Display required: Yes, even for eligible permit holders.

Parking in a permit area without displaying the required permit, or displaying an unauthorized permit, violates Section 10.13.280 regardless of residency, and is enforced as a Title 10 offense under Section 10.21.010: an infraction, misdemeanor, or civil penalty under California Vehicle Code Division 17.

This is one of the stricter rules in Brentwood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Overnight Parking

Where Brentwood has posted nighttime parking signs or curb markings, Municipal Code Section 10.13.230 bars parking, standing or stopping a vehicle during the hours posted. 'Nighttime' defaults to 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., though the city engineer can post a shorter window on specific curb markings or signs.

Key details: Default nighttime hours: 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.. Applies: Only where city has posted signs/markings. Set by: City engineer. 72-hour tow rule: Separate authority under § 10.04.100.

Parking during posted nighttime hours violates Section 10.13.230 and is enforced as a Title 10 offense under Section 10.21.010, chargeable as an infraction, misdemeanor, or civil penalty per California Vehicle Code Division 17. A vehicle left in place beyond posted hours can also be towed after seventy-two consecutive hours under Section 10.04.100.

Abandoned Vehicles

Brentwood treats any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle left on private or public property (other than a highway) for more than ten days as a public nuisance. Leaving one beyond that window is a misdemeanor under Chapter 10.20 of the Municipal Code, and the city can abate and remove it after notice and a hearing.

Key details: Grace period: 10 days before nuisance declared. Penalty: Misdemeanor, Section 10.20.160. Notice required: 10-day mailed notice. Hearing option: Available on request, Section 10.20.100. Unpaid costs: Assessed as property tax lien.

Keeping an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle on private or public property (excluding highways) for more than ten days is a misdemeanor under Section 10.20.160, as is refusing to remove one after an abatement order under Section 10.20.170. Beyond criminal charges, the city can bill administrative and towing costs to the property owner and place unpaid amounts as a lien on the parcel through the county tax collector.

This is one of the stricter rules in Brentwood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Loading Zones

Brentwood caps loading zones at half of any block's total curb length, with the city engineer marking commercial loading curbs in yellow paint and passenger loading in white or yellow. Commercial vehicles can stop only to load or unload freight, mail, or express packages, and never for more than twenty minutes under Brentwood Municipal Code Chapter 10.14.

Key details: Loading time limit: 20 minutes maximum. Max curb reserved for loading: One-half of block length. Zone color code: Yellow curb = loading only. Angle-parking permit: Issued by city engineer, Section 10.14.030. Enforcing agency: Brentwood Police / City Engineer.

Parking in a marked loading zone beyond the permitted time, or for a purpose other than loading, violates Brentwood Municipal Code Title 10, punishable under Chapter 10.21 as an infraction, misdemeanor, or civil penalty consistent with California Vehicle Code Division 17 (commencing at Section 40000) and the penalty provisions of Vehicle Code Section 42001, with fines set by city council resolution and citations issued by Brentwood police officers or code enforcement.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Brentwood restricts overnight parking of commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating in residential zones. Box trucks, semi-trailers, dump trucks, and similar heavy vehicles cannot be stored on residential streets or driveways except for active loading, unloading, or service calls.

Key details: Zoning: Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR restricted overnight in residential zones. Exemption: Active service and loading exceptions apply. Curfew Hours: Moving trucks allowed up to ~72 hours. Zoning: Commercial/industrial zones have fewer restrictions. Citations And: Citations and towing for violations.

Street Parking Limits

Brentwood enforces a 72-hour maximum continuous street parking limit consistent with California Vehicle Code §22651(k), along with posted street sweeping restrictions and permit-only zones in certain neighborhoods. Vehicles must be moved at least one-tenth of a mile after 72 hours or they may be cited and towed.

Key details: 72-hour Continuous: 72-hour continuous parking limit (CVC §22651(k)). Vehicle Must: Vehicle must move at least 1/10 mile to reset the clock. Street Sweeping: Street sweeping restrictions posted per neighborhood. Dimensions: 15 ft from fire hydrants, 20 ft from crosswalks. Downtown Blocks: Downtown blocks may have 2-hour limits.

The Bottom Line

Brentwood is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 10 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Brentwood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Brentwood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.