Burbank's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Burbank, California, there are 7 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.

EV Charging

Burbank supports EV adoption through Burbank Water and Power programs. CA Gov Code 65850.7 requires streamlined EV charger permitting. New construction must include EV-ready parking per CA Building Code.

Key details: Permitting: Streamlined per CA Gov Code 65850.7. Utility: BWP provides EV programs. New Construction: EV-ready parking required. AB 2097: No parking minimums near transit.

Unpermitted electrical work: fines and required removal. HOA violations of EV access laws: legal remedies available to homeowners.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Burbank gives residents more flexibility on ev charging.

RV & Boat Parking

Burbank Municipal Code Section 6-1-1010.1 bars parking any Large Non-Commercial Vehicle (RV, motorhome, boat trailer, horse trailer, camper) on a public right-of-way unless a valid LNCV permit is displayed, and never within 80 feet of an intersection. Permits are 24 hours each, capped so no LNCV may stay on the street more than 72 hours.

Key details: Code Section: BMC Sec. 6-1-1010.1. LNCV size trigger: 22 ft long OR 8 ft high OR 8 ft wide. Permit duration: 24 hours each; 72-hour max block. Intersection setback: 80 feet. Annual cap: 96 permits per vehicle per year.

A violation of BMC 6-1-1010.1 is an infraction enforced through the parking penalty process in California Vehicle Code Section 40200 et seq. (added by Ord. 3778, eff. 6/22/2010). Parking an RV or trailer on the street without a displayed permit, within 80 feet of an intersection, or beyond the 72-hour block limit results in a parking citation and possible tow.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Burbank actively enforces its rv & boat parking requirements.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Burbank Municipal Code Section 6-1-1008.1 makes it unlawful for any commercial vehicle exceeding 6,500 pounds unladen weight to park in any residential zone for any period of time. In commercial zones, trucks over 6,500 lbs may not park more than two hours, and no commercial vehicle may park there between 3:00 and 5:00 AM.

Key details: Code Section: BMC Sec. 6-1-1008 and 6-1-1008.1. Residential-zone limit: Over 6,500 lbs unladen banned at all times. Commercial-zone time limit: 2 hours for vehicles over 6,500 lbs. Commercial-zone night ban: 3:00-5:00 AM (any commercial vehicle). Citation cap: No more than 3 per vehicle per 24 hours.

A violation of BMC 6-1-1008 or 6-1-1008.1 is an infraction. Trucks over 6,500 lbs unladen parked in a residential zone, parked over two hours in a commercial zone, or parked in a commercial zone between 3-5 AM are cited (no more than three citations per vehicle in any 24-hour period for the weight-based subsections). Penalties follow the Burbank parking-bail schedule, enforced under California Vehicle Code Section 40200.

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

Abandoned Vehicles

Inoperable and abandoned vehicles are code violations in Burbank. CA Vehicle Code §22651 provides authority for removal. Report to Burbank Police or Code Compliance at (818) 238-5290.

Key details: State Law: CA Vehicle Code §22651. Report: Burbank Police or Code Compliance (818) 238-5290. Topic: Abandoned Vehicles. Category: Parking.

Notice period typically 72 hours to 10 days. Towing and storage at owner expense ($150 to $500+). Additional fines for repeat violations.

Driveway Rules

Vehicles must not block sidewalks when parked in driveways. Driveway dimensions and materials are regulated through BMC zoning standards. Front yard parking on unpaved surfaces is prohibited.

Key details: Sidewalk: Must not be blocked. Paving: Driveway must be paved. Front Yard: No parking on unpaved areas. Code: BMC Title 10 zoning.

Front yard parking violations are enforced by Code Enforcement at (818) 238-5225. Violations result in notices and fines.

Overnight Parking

Burbank has no citywide ban on overnight passenger-vehicle parking, but the 72-hour storage rule (BMC 6-1-1010) and permit-parking zones (BMC 6-1-1003) effectively limit overnight stays. Large Non-Commercial Vehicles (RVs, trailers) may not park overnight on the street without a displayed LNCV permit, and commercial vehicles are barred from commercial-zone streets between 3:00 and 5:00 AM.

Key details: Citywide overnight car ban: None (no blanket prohibition). Storage limit: 72 hours, BMC Sec. 6-1-1010. RV/LNCV overnight: Permit required, BMC Sec. 6-1-1010.1. Commercial overnight window: Banned 3:00-5:00 AM in commercial zones (6-1-1008.B). Permit zones: BMC Sec. 6-1-1003.

Overnight violations are infractions. RVs/trailers parked overnight without a permit, vehicles exceeding 72 hours, and commercial vehicles parked in commercial zones between 3 and 5 AM may be cited and towed. Fines follow the Burbank parking-bail schedule and are processed under California Vehicle Code Section 40200 et seq.

Street Parking Limits

Burbank Municipal Code Section 6-1-1010 prohibits using city streets for vehicle storage: no vehicle may be parked on any street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours, and merely moving it within the same block does not reset the clock. Police may remove any vehicle left standing 72 or more consecutive hours.

Key details: Code Section: BMC Sec. 6-1-1010. Max continuous parking: 72 hours on any street or alley. Permit parking authority: BMC Sec. 6-1-1003. Enforcement process: CA Vehicle Code Sec. 40200 et seq.. Tow authority: Police, after 72+ consecutive hours.

A vehicle parked over 72 hours may be cited and towed under BMC 6-1-1010(B). Parking violations are infractions enforced administratively through the California Vehicle Code Section 40200 parking-penalty process; fines are set by the Burbank fee/bail schedule, and towed vehicles incur tow and storage charges plus a city administrative release fee.

The Bottom Line

Burbank is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Burbank, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Burbank's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.