Parking Rules in San Diego, CA (2026)
8 verified parking rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
SDMC Section 86.0139 prohibits oversized, non-motorized, and recreational vehicles from parking on public streets between 2 AM and 6 AM. Vehicles may not park within 50 feet of an intersection. Temporary Overnight RV Permits (TORVP) available at $1.50/day, max 72 permits/year per address.
San Diego RV & Oversized Vehicle Parking
Heavy RestrictionsSDMC § 86.0139, § 86.0143 (Neighborhood Parking Protection Ordinance / TORVP)
The Neighborhood Parking Protection Ordinance (NPPO) creates safer streets and neighborhoods by minimizing the negative effects of oversized vehicles, such as recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers and boats, and parking on public streets. Specifically, section 86.0139 of the San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) prohibits oversized, non-motorized and recreational vehicles from parking on public stree...
Driveway Rules
SDMC Chapter 14 requires residential driveways serving off-street parking to be at least 20 feet long from the back of the sidewalk. Single dwelling units must have two off-street parking spaces. Vehicles may not block sidewalks or driveways. Unpaved front yard parking prohibited in most zones.
San Diego Driveway Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCommercial Vehicle Restrictions
San Diego restricts parking of heavy-duty commercial vehicles in residential areas. Vehicles over one-ton carrying capacity prohibited from residential street parking unless actively loading/unloading or servicing. Home occupation vehicles limited to one-ton capacity under SDMC 141.0308.
San Diego Commercial Vehicle Parking Restrictions
Some RestrictionsStreet Parking Limits
San Diego imposes a 72-hour continuous parking limit on all public streets under SDMC 86.0122. Many neighborhoods have Residential Parking Permit (RPP) zones restricting non-resident vehicles to 1-2 hours. Vehicles must comply with posted signs, street sweeping schedules, and metered time limits.
San Diego Street Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Veh. Code § 22651
22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which th...
Overnight Parking
SDMC §86.0139 prohibits oversized and recreational vehicles from parking on public streets between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Oversized vehicles are defined as exceeding 27 feet in length AND 7 feet in height. Parking any such vehicle within 50 feet of an intersection is prohibited at any time. Residents may obtain a Temporary Overnight Recreational Vehicle Permit (TORVP) at $1.50 per 24-hour period, with a maximum of 72 permits per address per year.
San Diego Overnight Street Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Veh. Code § 22651
22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which th...
Dibs & Space Saving
San Diego has no dibs or space-saving tradition for public parking. The city's mild Mediterranean climate means there is no snow-shoveling parking claim culture. Placing objects in public parking spaces to reserve them is not authorized and may constitute obstruction of the public right-of-way.
San Diego Parking Space Saving (Dibs) Rules
Few RestrictionsEV Charging
San Diego provides for Vehicle Charging Station Zones under the municipal code where designated by appropriate signage or curb markings. Electric vehicles may park at charging stations. The City actively promotes EV infrastructure consistent with its Climate Action Plan. California requires new residential construction to include EV-ready electrical capacity per CALGreen Code.
San Diego EV Charging Station Rules
Few RestrictionsCal. Gov. Code § 65850.7 (AB 1236, 2015)
Existing law, the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Open Access Act, prohibits the charging of a subscription fee on persons desiring to use an electric vehicle charging station, as defined, and prohibits a requirement for persons to obtain membership in any club, association, or organization as a condition of using the station, except as specified.
Abandoned Vehicles
San Diego enforces a 72-hour street parking limit under SDMC 86.0125 and California Vehicle Code 22651(k). The SDPD Abandoned Vehicle Detail responds to complaints, marks the tires, and tows vehicles that remain unmoved or have registration expired over six months (CVC 22651(o)). Inoperable vehicles on private property are handled by Code Enforcement under a separate nuisance ordinance.
San Diego Abandoned Vehicle Rules (SDMC 86.0125)
Heavy RestrictionsSan Diego Police – Abandoned or Inoperable Vehicles
In the City of San Diego, it is illegal to leave an operable or inoperable vehicle parked for more than 72 consecutive hours without being driven at least 1/10th of a mile on a public street. It is also illegal to park an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperable vehicle on private property in public view. The Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit is responsible for removing wrecked, dismantled a...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Parking Rules in San Diego County →