Overnight Parking: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do overnight parking rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Mountain View has no citywide overnight parking ban for passenger vehicles, but 72-hour limits, permit districts, and large vehicle restrictions apply. Sleeping in vehicles on public streets is generally prohibited.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
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.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Citywide overnight ban | None for passenger cars | - |
| Continuous parking limit | 72 hours | - |
| Large vehicle hours | 2 AM - 6 AM prohibited | - |
| Safe parking program | Designated lots only | - |
| Permit districts | Enforced overnight | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can visitors park on my street overnight?
In non-permit neighborhoods, visitors can park overnight as long as they move the vehicle within 72 hours and avoid street sweeping days. Permit districts require guest passes.
Is it legal to sleep in my car on a Mountain View street?
Vehicle habitation on public streets is prohibited. Mountain View operates a Safe Parking program through nonprofits that provides legal overnight locations for vehicle dwellers.
San Jose FAQ
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