Parking Rules in San Jose, CA (2026)
7 verified parking rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
San Jose restricts RV parking under SJMC §17.72. RVs in front yards must be on pavement and perpendicular to the street. Living in an RV on residential property is prohibited.
San Jose RV & Boat Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsStreet Parking Limits
San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 11.36 governs on-street parking. Residential streets are swept once per month on a posted day; high-traffic and downtown streets are swept 2–4 times per month between 2:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Vehicles parked in posted no-parking zones during sweeping receive a citation, and tow-zone violators are towed.
San Jose, CA Street Sweeping & Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 22651
(b) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway in a position so as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in a condition so as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the highway. (c) If a vehicle is found upon a highway or public land and a report has previously been made that the vehicle is stolen or a complaint has been filed and a warrant thereon is issued charging that ...
Overnight Parking
San Jose generally permits overnight street parking citywide, but oversized vehicles (over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long) are prohibited from parking on public streets between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Residential Permit Parking zones near downtown and SJSU require permits for overnight stays.
Overnight Parking Rules in San Jose
Some RestrictionsEV Charging
San Jose requires EV charging infrastructure in new construction under CALGreen Tier 2 standards. Residential new builds need 100% EV-ready parking; multifamily and commercial projects face graduated requirements. Public charging stalls are reserved for actively charging vehicles, with fines for non-EVs blocking chargers.
EV Charging Rules in San Jose
Some RestrictionsCalifornia AB1236 (2015-2016 Session)
65850.7. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) The implementation of consistent statewide standards to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of electric vehicle charging stations is not a municipal affair, as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution, but is instead a matter of statewide concern. (2) It is the intent of t...
Abandoned Vehicles
San Jose enforces a 72-hour street parking limit under San Jose Municipal Code 11.36 and tows under California Vehicle Code 22651(k). The Department of Transportation Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program responds to 311 reports, marks tires, and tows unmoved vehicles. Inoperable vehicles on private property are regulated separately under SJMC 6.66 as a public nuisance with a 10-day notice period.
San Jose Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (SJMC 11.36)
Some RestrictionsCurb Color Rules
Painted curbs in San Jose follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458 standard meanings: red prohibits all stopping, yellow allows commercial loading, white permits brief passenger pickup, green sets time-limited parking, and blue marks accessible parking for disabled-placard vehicles only.
San Jose Painted Curb Color Meanings
Some RestrictionsLoading Zones
Loading zones in San Jose are marked with yellow paint (commercial freight, typically twenty minutes) and white paint (passenger loading, typically five minutes) under SJMC Title 11 and California Vehicle Code Section 21458, with active loading required throughout the stop.
San Jose Yellow and White Curb Loading Zones
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Parking Rules in Santa Clara County →