Parking Rules in Thousand Oaks, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Thousand Oaks or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Thousand Oaks has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Overnight Parking

Thousand Oaks permits overnight street parking but enforces the 72-hour vehicle storage limit and restricts oversized vehicles in residential areas. Specific streets may have posted parking restrictions that prohibit or limit overnight parking.

Key details: Overnight Ban: No citywide ban. Maximum Parking Duration: 72 hours without moving. Oversized Vehicles: Additional restrictions in residential areas. Police Department: (805) 494-8200.

Vehicles parked over 72 hours may be marked, cited, and towed with fees of $200-$500 for towing and daily storage charges. Oversized vehicle violations carry fines of $75-$250. Street sweeping violations result in $65 citations. Vehicles without current registration may be cited and towed immediately. Contact Thousand Oaks PD at (805) 494-8200 for parking enforcement questions.

EV Charging

Thousand Oaks follows CALGreen Code requirements for EV charging infrastructure in new construction and supports EV adoption through streamlined permitting. New single-family homes must include Level 2 EV-capable circuits, and multi-family developments must provide EV-ready parking spaces.

Key details: New Homes: Level 2 EV circuit required. Circuit Spec: 240-volt, 40-amp minimum. Tenant Rights: AB 2565 protects installation requests. Permits: (805) 449-2100.

Non-compliance with CALGreen EV requirements results in building permit denial or certificate of occupancy withholding. Landlords unreasonably denying tenant EV charger requests under AB 2565 face civil liability. Permit processing that exceeds streamlined timelines may violate Government Code 65850.7. Contact Thousand Oaks Community Development at (805) 449-2100 for EV permit information.

RV & Boat Parking

Oversized vehicles prohibited on city streets 10 AM–4 PM Monday–Friday (TOMC Sec. 4-3.424). RVs may park for one 24-hour period for loading/unloading purposes only. Permits available from police chief for up to 5 consecutive calendar days.

Key details: Prohibited Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM Mon–Fri. Loading Exception: 1 × 24-hour period only. Permit Duration: Up to 5 consecutive days. Code: TOMC Sec. 4-3.424.

RV parked on street over 72 hours: towing ($300-$600+ for oversized). Living in an RV on residential property: zoning violation with fines of $100-$500/day. Storing RV on unpaved surface or in front yard: code enforcement fines of $100-$500/day. Oversized vehicles blocking sight lines at intersections: $73 citation.

Abandoned Vehicles

Inoperable and abandoned vehicles on private or public property are a code compliance violation in Thousand Oaks. Report to Sheriff's Traffic Division at (805) 371-8379 or Code Compliance at (805) 449-2300. CA Vehicle Code §22651 applies.

Key details: State Law: CA Vehicle Code §22651. Report: Sheriff Traffic (805) 371-8379. Private Property: Code Compliance (805) 449-2300. Topic: Abandoned Vehicles.

72-hour notice followed by towing at owner's expense ($200-$400+ plus daily storage of $40-$60). Expired registration: CVC citation of $25-$100 plus registration penalty. Inoperable vehicle on private property visible from public view: code enforcement fines of $100-$500/day. Vehicles not claimed from impound within 30 days may be sold at lien sale.

Driveway Rules

Thousand Oaks regulates driveway dimensions, surfaces, and vehicle parking through the Municipal Code. Vehicles must be fully contained on driveways without blocking sidewalks, and inoperable vehicles may not be stored on driveways visible from public view.

Key details: Off-Street Required: Minimum 2 spaces per dwelling. Sidewalk Blocking: Prohibited per CVC 22500. Unpaved Parking: Prohibited in front yards. Code Enforcement: (805) 449-2100.

Vehicles blocking sidewalks may be cited under CVC 22500 with fines starting at $65. Inoperable vehicle storage violations result in a 72-hour notice to remove followed by potential towing. Parking on unpaved surfaces in front yards triggers code enforcement action with fines of $100-$500. Unpermitted driveway modifications may require restoration at owner's expense. Contact Thousand Oaks Code Enforcement at (805) 449-2100.

Street Parking Limits

Overnight parking on posted public streets requires a city permit during 2 AM–6 AM in residential zones (TOMC Sec. 4-3.420). Prohibited parking violations subject to civil penalties per CA Vehicle Code.

Key details: Overnight Hours: 2 AM – 6 AM (permit required). Code: TOMC Sec. 4-3.420. Enforcement: Sheriff Traffic Division (805) 371-8379. Topic: Street Parking.

Overtime parking (exceeding posted limits): $50-$73 citation. 72-hour violation: warning notice, then towing at owner's expense ($200-$400+). Parking in red zone: $73. Blocking driveway: $73 plus possible towing. Parking on sidewalk or lawn: $73-$100.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Commercial vehicles used for or related to a home occupation shall not be stored on the premises or parked on the street (TOMC Sec. 9-4.2518). General commercial vehicle parking restrictions also apply per TOMC traffic chapter.

Key details: Home Occupation: Commercial vehicles prohibited on premises or street. Code: TOMC Sec. 9-4.2518. Enforcement: Code Compliance (805) 449-2300. Topic: Commercial Vehicles.

Parking a prohibited commercial vehicle in a residential zone: code enforcement warning, then fines of $100-$500/day. Storing heavy commercial vehicles on residential streets: $73 citation plus potential towing. Hazardous materials vehicles in residential areas: immediate enforcement with fines of $500+.

The Bottom Line

Thousand Oaks'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 Thousand Oaks is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Thousand Oaks 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.