Lodi's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

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

Overnight Parking

Lodi has no blanket citywide overnight on-street parking ban — vehicles may park on a public street if currently registered, operable, and moved every 72 hours. Overnight parking is prohibited at city EV charging stations, and posted zones (school, downtown, permit areas) have their own rules.

Key details: Citywide overnight ban: No. Max continuous street park: 72 hours (CVC §22651(k)). Downtown structure overnight: Free for transit users; longer stays need form/approval. EV station overnight: Prohibited.

Vehicles left on a public street more than 72 hours without moving may be cited and towed under CVC §22651(k); $160 city release fee plus tow/storage charges. Posted-zone overpark violations are cited per posted signage.

The rules around overnight parking in Lodi lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

EV Charging

Lodi operates Level II ChargePoint public EV chargers at downtown sites (including the parking garage at 4 N. Sacramento Street and City Hall) priced at $1.75/hour, capped at 4 hours per session, with no overnight parking. Residential charger installs are governed by an expedited permit and rebates from Lodi Electric Utility.

Key details: Public charger price: $1.75/hour. Session limit: 4 hours. Overnight at chargers: Prohibited. Equipment: Level II ChargePoint. Permit pathway: Expedited residential EV charger permit.

Exceeding the 4-hour session limit or parking overnight at a public charger may result in a citation under the posted parking restrictions in the lot/structure and tow under standard Lodi parking enforcement (release fee $160 if towed). Improper installation without a permit is a building/electrical code violation.

Abandoned Vehicles

Any vehicle parked on a Lodi street more than 72 hours without moving is treated as abandoned under California Vehicle Code §22651(k) and can be cited and towed. Vehicles with registration expired more than six months, or that are inoperative, may be towed immediately without notice.

Key details: Abandonment threshold: 72 hours (CVC §22651(k)). Expired registration tow: >6 months (CVC §22651(o)). Inoperative vehicle tow: Immediate (CVC §22669(d)). City tow release fee: $160. Report line: 209-269-4043.

Tow plus a $160 City of Lodi tow-release fee paid to the Police Department (cash during business hours Mon-Thu 8am-4pm; exact $160 cash at other times). Tow operator storage fees are separate and the owner's responsibility. Failure to claim the vehicle can result in lien sale by the tow company.

Compared to other cities, Lodi takes a harder line on abandoned vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

RV & Boat Parking

Lodi allows RVs, boats, and trailers to park on public streets in front of homes or businesses but they must be physically moved at least once every 72 hours under Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 10.44 and California Vehicle Code §22651(k).

Key details: Street parking time limit: 72 hours, must physically relocate. Code section: Lodi Municipal Code Ch. 10.44; CVC §22651(k). Registration required: Yes — current registration, operable condition. Enforcement contact: Lodi PD Traffic Division (209) 269-4043.

Vehicles parked in excess of 72 hours may be marked, cited, and/or towed at the owner's expense under CVC §22651(k). Complaints are handled by the Lodi Police Department Traffic Division at (209) 269-4043. Towing and storage fees are paid by the registered owner before release.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Lodi Municipal Code §17.32.030 (Parking and Loading) prohibits the parking of strictly commercial vehicles in residential zones and restricts where trucks may park within city limits. The City maintains an official Truck Parking map identifying authorized locations.

Key details: Zoning code section: Lodi Municipal Code §17.32.030. Commercial vehicles in residential zones: Prohibited. Truck Parking map: Published by City of Lodi. Street time limit: 72 hours (LMC Ch. 10.44 / CVC §22651(k)).

Parking a commercial vehicle in a prohibited zone violates LMC §17.32.030 and can result in a zoning citation, a parking citation, and/or tow under CVC §22651. Repeat or chronic violations are referred to Code Enforcement via the Community Development Department (209) 333-6711. Street parking enforcement is handled by Lodi PD Traffic Division (209) 269-4043.

Street Parking Limits

Lodi enforces street parking under Municipal Code Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) and the California Vehicle Code. Vehicles must be legally parked, currently registered, in running condition, and moved every 72 hours.

Key details: Code chapter: Lodi Municipal Code Title 10, Ch. 10.44. State backstop: CVC §22500. City tow release fee: $160. Enforcement: Lodi Police Traffic Services.

Citations are issued by Lodi Police Traffic Services (209-269-4043). Fine amounts vary by offense; vehicles in violation may also be towed. If towed, the registered owner must pay a $160 city tow-release fee to the Lodi Police Department in addition to the towing/storage company fees.

Driveway Rules

Parking in front of any public or private driveway in Lodi is prohibited under CVC §22500(e), and private-property owners may have unauthorized vehicles towed under CVC §22658 when proper signage is posted.

Key details: Driveway parking: Prohibited (CVC §22500(e)). Private property tow authority: CVC §22658. Sign size required for tow signage: 17" x 22" with 1" lettering. Tow release fee: $160 to City of Lodi.

Citations under CVC §22500(e) plus tow. Tow-release fee through the City of Lodi is $160, plus towing/storage charges paid to the tow operator. Private-property tow under §22658 requires posted signage in compliance with the statute.

The Bottom Line

Lodi'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 Lodi is broadly strict or permissive.

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