Parking Rules in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County has no RV- or boat-specific street ordinance. RVs, boats, and trailers on a county highway fall under the general 72-hour limit and California Vehicle Code rules. Large vehicles over six feet tall are restricted near intersections only where signs are posted (CVC 22507). On-lot storage is governed by zoning.
Santa Barbara County RV and Boat Parking
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code § 12A-23(e) (General Restrictions — County Parking Lots)
No person shall use any area of an off-street County parking facility for storage of any kind, including the parking of detached trailers, fifth wheels, and other equipment, or for storage of any personal property, or for any use other than parking a motor vehicle and accessing adjacent public facilities, unless authorized by the Director of General Services.
Driveway Rules
In residential zones, a driveway inside the required front setback can't exceed 50 percent of that lot's street frontage, though a 10-foot-wide driveway is always allowed regardless. Any surface used for parking must be paved with at least two inches of asphalt, concrete, or masonry pavers, and recreational vehicles can never park within the front setback.
Santa Barbara County Driveway Width and Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code § 35.36.100(G)(2)(a)
G.Exterior parking. ... 2.Limitation on number. a.Not including the number of vehicles for which parking spaces are required to be provided in compliance with Section 35.36.050 (Required Number of Spaces: Residential Uses), the exterior parking of operative motor vehicles and recreational vehicles is allowed provided that the number of such vehicles parked on a lot outside of a fully enclosed o...
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 23 restricts parking buses, trucks, and tractors in residential districts to two hours unless a permit is issued (Sec. 23-304), and regulates truck loading zones (Sec. 23-305). State law (CVC 22507) lets the County restrict commercial vehicle parking where signs are posted. Truck routes and weight limits apply to travel.
Santa Barbara County Commercial Vehicle Parking
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 22507.5(a)
Notwithstanding Section 22507, local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit or restrict the parking or standing of vehicles on certain streets or highways, or portions thereof, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and may prohibit or restrict the parking or standing, on any street, or portion thereof, in a residential district, of commercial vehicles having a manufacturer's gr...
Street Parking Limits
On unincorporated county roads, parking is shaped by Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 23 (Article III) and the California Vehicle Code. The County may set time-limited zones and prohibit parking by resolution (Sec. 23-11). State law (CVC 22500) bars parking in crosswalks, sidewalks, in front of driveways, and near fire hydrants. Isla Vista has its own permit program (Chapter 23B).
Santa Barbara County Street Parking
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code § 23-11 (Parking regulations — Authorized by resolution)
The board of supervisors may by resolution designate portions of any highway under its jurisdiction as time-limited or altogether prohibited parking during certain hours... Portions of highways so designated shall be posted with signs stating the applicable parking limitations and the hours during which parking is time-limited or altogether prohibited.
Overnight Parking
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County has no blanket overnight ban on residential roads; the limit is the 72-hour rule. The County may post county highways as no-parking between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. by resolution (Sec. 23-11). In County off-street lots, parking is banned from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless part of the Safe Parking Program (Ordinance 5163).
Santa Barbara County Overnight Parking
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code § 12A-24(a) (Overnight parking prohibited), Ord. 5163 (2022)
Except as specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of General Services, or as otherwise validly authorized pursuant to County ordinance or resolution, it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any vehicle between the hours of eleven p.m. and five a.m. in any off-street parking area owned or operated by the County of Santa Barbara.
EV Charging
In county-owned off-street lots, Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 12A-25 makes it unlawful to park in a marked electric vehicle charging stall unless the vehicle is actually plugged in and charging. Non-charging vehicles, including other EVs, can be cited or towed by the department of general services.
Santa Barbara County EV Charging Stall Parking
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 12A-25
(a)Unless specifically authorized by the director of the department of general services, it shall be unlawful to park in a designated electric vehicle charging station parking stall unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging its battery.(b)An electric vehicle shall be a "motor vehicle" as defined in California Vehicle Code section 415, which either (i) displays the Stat...
Abandoned Vehicles
Santa Barbara County declares any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle on private or public property (not counting highways) in the unincorporated area a public nuisance under County Code Sec. 23-16. The Department of Public Works can order it removed after a ten-day notice to both the landowner and the vehicle's owner, per Sec. 23-23.
Santa Barbara County Abandoned Vehicle Removal
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 23-16, 23-23
The presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof, on private or public property not including highways, except as expressly hereinafter permitted, is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this article. ... A ten day notice of intention to abate and remove the vehicle, or parts the...
Curb Color Rules
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, red curb paint along county roads means a designated bus zone: Sec. 23-11.11 lets the public works director authorize transit and school bus operators to paint adjacent curbs red and post signs marking the loading zone, with set lengths depending on whether the stop sits near, far or mid-block.
Santa Barbara County Bus Zone Curb Painting Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 23-11.11
(a)Authorization. The public works director or designee is hereby authorized to establish and remove "No Parking" zones for buses (bus zones) along county roads for the purpose of loading and unloading buses upon request by the transit or school bus service provider. ... (d)Markings. "No Parking" zones (bus zones) shall be appropriately marked to indicate that they have been designated. The pub...
Loading Zones
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a yellow-painted curb marks a loading zone under County Code Sec. 23-11.1 and 23-11.5. Vehicles may stop there only to load or unload, and only during posted hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays. Passenger loading is capped at three minutes; material loading at twenty minutes.
Santa Barbara County Loading Zone Time Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 23-11.1, 23-11.5
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any yellow loading zone for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or material, for such time as is permitted in section 23-11.1. ... "Yellow" shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time between 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. of any day except Sundays and holidays for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passeng...
Preferential Parking Districts
In identified unincorporated residential areas facing chronic nonresident parking congestion, the board of supervisors may create a permit parking district by resolution under County Code Sec. 23B-3. Residents and merchants get preferential on-street parking privileges; the sheriff's department issues permits, and violators face infraction fines starting at one hundred dollars.
Santa Barbara County Permit Parking Districts
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 23B-3, 23B-13
...the Santa Barbara County board of supervisors (board of supervisors) may designate by resolution any area of the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara, which meets the criteria established by this chapter, as a permit parking area wherein the stopping, parking or standing of vehicles is prohibited or restricted on certain streets or highways, or portions thereof, during all or c...
Parking Rules by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own parking rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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