Fontana's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Fontana, 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

Fontana follows CALGreen Title 24 Part 11 for EV charging in new construction. HOA restrictions are preempted by California Civil Code 4745, which protects Level 2 charger installation.

Key details: State Standard: CALGreen Title 24 Part 11. New Home Minimum: 240V EV-ready circuit. City Permit: Electrical permit required. HOA Protection: Civil Code 4745. Renter Protection: Civil Code 1952.7.

Installing an EV charger without a Fontana electrical permit is a building-code violation punishable by double-fee assessment and potential red-tag of the work. HOA violations of Civil Code 4745 can result in civil damages and attorney-fee awards to the homeowner.

Fontana is more permissive than most cities when it comes to ev charging. That said, there are still limits.

Overnight Parking

Fontana generally allows overnight residential-street parking. No citywide overnight ban exists; the main limits are the CVC 22651(k) 72-hour rule and posted street-sweeping schedules.

Key details: Citywide Ban: None. State Rule: 72 hours (CVC 22651(k)). Sweeping: Enforced on posted days. Permit Zones: Posted neighborhoods only. AB 2097: Near-transit parking reform.

72-hour tow carries tow and storage fees around $200 to $400. Street-sweeping citations run about $54 to $75. Permit-zone violations are roughly $75 to $100 for a first offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Fontana gives residents more flexibility on overnight parking.

RV & Boat Parking

Fontana limits RV, trailer, and boat storage under FMC Title 17. Long-term street storage is prohibited; RVs on private property must be behind the front setback on an improved surface.

Key details: Governing Code: FMC Title 17 Zoning. Street Limit: 72 hours (CVC 22651(k)). Front Yard: Generally prohibited. Living in RV: Prohibited on street. Storage Surface: Paved pad required.

Code Enforcement issues a warning followed by an administrative citation (typically $100 first, $200 second, $500 subsequent) for RVs stored in the front yard or on the street beyond the loading window. Repeated violations can trigger abatement and tow.

Abandoned Vehicles

Fontana removes abandoned vehicles under CVC 22651(k) on public streets. Inoperable, unregistered, or dismantled vehicles on private property are abated under FMC property-maintenance rules.

Key details: Street Trigger: 72 hours (CVC 22651(k)). Private Property: FMC Title 15 / Title 9. Abate Window: 10-30 days typical. Must Be Registered: Current DMV tags. Operable: Or hidden from view.

Street tow fees run $200 to $400 plus storage at about $50 per day. Private-property abatement adds administrative fees of $200 to $500 and a recorded lien for tow and disposal costs if the owner fails to cooperate.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fontana actively enforces its abandoned vehicles requirements.

Street Parking Limits

Fontana regulates on-street parking under FMC Title 10 and CVC 22500 and 22651. Cars cannot park at colored curbs, block driveways, or exceed the state 72-hour rule under CVC 22651(k).

Key details: Governing Law: FMC Title 10 + CVC 22500. 72-Hour Rule: CVC 22651(k) tow eligible. Hydrant Clearance: 15 ft minimum. Crosswalk Clearance: 20 ft minimum. Street Sweeping: Posted days enforced.

Parking citations range from about $54 for basic time violations to $100 for street-sweeping violations and $500 for fire-lane or hydrant violations. The 72-hour tow under CVC 22651(k) adds tow fees of $200 to $400 plus storage charges.

Driveway Rules

Fontana allows driveway parking on paved surfaces only. FMC Title 17 prohibits parking on front lawns or landscaping. Driveway aprons need a Public Works encroachment permit.

Key details: Governing Code: FMC Title 17 and Title 15. Surface: Paved required. Driveway Width: Up to 50% of front yard. Apron Permit: Public Works encroachment. Vehicle Status: Registered and operable.

Parking on a front lawn or unpaved area triggers an FMC Title 1 administrative citation, typically $100 first offense and $200 second. Unpermitted driveway expansion can require removal and restoration. Inoperable vehicles can be towed as abandoned.

Fontana is more permissive than most cities when it comes to driveway rules. That said, there are still limits.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Fontana restricts commercial vehicles over 10,000 lb GVWR on residential streets under FMC Title 10 and CVC 22507. Semi-trucks and trailers cannot park overnight except for active loading or service.

Key details: Governing Code: FMC Title 10 + CVC 22507. Weight Limit: 10,000 lb GVWR in residential. Loading Window: Typically under 30 min. Truck Routes: Posted arterials only. Idle Limit: 5 minutes (CARB).

First-offense commercial vehicle parking citations run approximately $100 to $250 depending on zone, with tows available under CVC 22651 for repeat offenders. CARB idle violations can be up to $300 per occurrence.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Fontana gives residents more room on parking rules. 3 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Fontana can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.