Camarillo's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Camarillo, California, there are 8 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.

Abandoned Vehicles

Camarillo declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles on private or public property a public nuisance and lets the director of planning and community development order removal after a ten-day notice and hearing.

Key details: Governing chapter: CMC Ch. 11.08. State authority: Veh. Code § 22660. Enforcing officer: Director of Planning & Community Development. Notice period: 10-day notice of intent to abate. Hearing request window: 10 days from notice.

Section 11.08.150 makes it unlawful to fail or refuse to remove an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle after being ordered to abate it under the chapter. Unpaid administrative costs and removal costs become a lien-style assessment against the parcel of land under Government Code Section 38773.5 if not paid within thirty days of the final order or appeal decision, collected by the tax collector with the same priority as city taxes.

Overnight Parking

Camarillo bars parking any vehicle on a highway, street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours, measured by whether it has moved more than two-tenths of a mile, and lets the CHP or sheriff's office tow violators.

Key details: Governing section: CMC § 11.12.010. Time limit: 72 consecutive hours. Movement threshold: Must move more than 0.2 miles. Enforcement: CHP or sheriff's office, per chief of police authorization. Tow authority: Veh. Code § 22651.

A vehicle parked in violation of the 72-hour limit under Section 11.12.010 can be towed by the California Highway Patrol or an authorized sheriff's deputy under Section 11.12.020, acting under the authority of Vehicle Code Section 22651; the chapter does not print a separate fine amount beyond the tow and any related citation.

Loading Zones

Camarillo caps loading zone stops at three minutes for passengers and twenty minutes for freight. The city council designates zones by resolution, and the director of public works marks them with signs and curb paint under state Vehicle Code standards.

Key details: Passenger stop limit: 3 minutes. Freight/materials limit: 20 minutes. Who designates zones: City council by resolution. Who marks curbs/signs: Director of Public Works. First-offense fine cap: $100 (Ch. 1.12).

Stopping or parking in a marked loading zone beyond the posted time limit, or using the zone for any purpose other than loading and unloading, is a citable parking violation under Title 11. Camarillo's general penalty schedule in Chapter 1.12 treats a first infraction at up to a one hundred dollar fine, a second violation of the same section within a year at up to two hundred dollars, and a third or later violation within that year at up to five hundred dollars. Vehicles may also be cited and, per Section 11.20.100, subject to removal.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Camarillo bars parking commercial vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross on residential streets, unless the vehicle is there for work or service that actually requires its presence. Citywide, the same trucks get only a two-hour limit outside residential and industrial zones.

Key details: Weight threshold: Over 10,000 lbs gross. Residential parking: Prohibited absent work need. Citywide time cap: 2 consecutive hours. Cap lifted: 5 p.m.-8 a.m., commercial/industrial zones. First-offense fine cap: $100.

Parking a commercial vehicle over ten thousand pounds on a residential street without a work-related justification is an infraction under Chapter 1.12: up to a one hundred dollar fine for a first offense, up to two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same section within a year, and up to five hundred dollars for each further violation in that year. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department, contracted to police the city, cites and can require the vehicle's removal.

Driveway Rules

Camarillo bans parking or storing vehicles in a residential front yard setback unless the surface is an improved area approved under the city's zoning title. Bare dirt, gravel or lawn parking pads in front yards don't qualify.

Key details: Where it applies: Front yard setback, residential zones. Required surface: Improved area approved under Title 19. Driveway material (ROW crossing): Portland cement concrete. Min. driveway spacing (adjoining lots): 1 foot. First-offense fine cap: $100.

Parking or storing a vehicle on an unapproved front-yard surface violates Section 11.20.210 and is enforced under Title 11 as a Title 1.12 general penalty violation: up to one hundred dollars for a first offense, up to two hundred dollars for a repeat violation of the same section within a year, and up to five hundred dollars for each further repeat within that year. Related driveway construction violations under Chapter 13.04 are separately enforceable as misdemeanors under Section 13.04.670.

EV Charging

Camarillo follows California's EV-friendly mandate under AB 1236 (Government Code Section 65850.7), requiring streamlined permitting for residential EV charging stations. CMC Title 16 governs electrical permits for charger installation. HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict EV charger installation under California Civil Code Section 4745.

Key details: Permit Required: Electrical permit for Level 2 (240V). State Mandate: AB 1236 streamlined permitting. HOA Rights: Cannot unreasonably restrict (CC 4745). Level 1 Charging: Standard outlet, no permit needed. Community Dev: (805) 388-5360.

Installing a Level 2 charger without an electrical permit violates CMC Title 16. HOAs that unreasonably deny EV charger requests violate California Civil Code 4745. Contact Community Development at (805) 388-5360 for permits.

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

RV & Boat Parking

Camarillo confines residential RV, boat and trailer parking to an approved storage area, a conforming enclosed structure, or a hard-surfaced side or rear yard under Municipal Code Section 19.44.035. Overnight living use is capped at fourteen days a year, and short driveway loading stops are limited to forty-eight hours.

Key details: Curb setback for RV/boat: 13 feet minimum. Max overnight sleeping use: 14 days per 12 months. Driveway loading exception: 48 hours max. Sightline check threshold: 72 hours of storage. Oversized vehicle definition: 3+ axle commercial vehicle.

Violations of Section 19.44.035 are enforced by the Camarillo Community Development Department as zoning code violations; noncompliant RV, boat or trailer parking can be cited for removal or relocation, and vehicles creating a sightline safety hazard after seventy-two hours can be ordered moved by the city on that basis alone. Using a stored RV for prohibited dwelling purposes beyond the fourteen-day allowance, or connecting it permanently to utilities, is treated the same as an unpermitted accessory use.

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

Street Parking Limits

Camarillo enforces a 72-hour street parking limit on public streets under CMC Title 11. Vehicles may not remain parked in the same location for more than 72 consecutive hours. Additional restrictions apply near fire hydrants, driveways, intersections, and in designated no-parking zones.

Key details: Max Parking Duration: 72 hours on public streets. Fire Hydrant Clearance: 15 feet minimum. Street Sweeping: Must move per posted schedule. Enforcement: Camarillo Police (805) 388-5100. HOA Streets: May have additional restrictions.

Parking citations are issued by the Camarillo Police at (805) 388-5100. Vehicles parked over 72 hours may be towed under CVC 22651(k). Parking near hydrants or in no-parking zones carries fines per the city's fine schedule. Repeat violations may result in increased penalties.

The Bottom Line

Camarillo's parking rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Camarillo is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Camarillo's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.