11 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, SCCC 9.70.620 makes it unlawful to park a mobile home or recreational vehicle overnight on any highway, street, or alley. A resident may park one adjacent to their own home for up to 24 hours, or up to 72 hours on a host property with a Sheriff-issued permit.
County of Santa Cruz RV Parking Permit Program
Permit for parking a mobile home or RV on a highway, street or alley directly adjacent to private property (host) if the owner or driver of the vehicle has permission of a resident of the host property. Cost: $48 per 72-hour permit. Valid only in Santa Cruz County unincorporated areas including Amesti, Aptos, Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Ben Lomond, Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Corralito...
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, SCCC 9.70.140 requires an encroachment permit from Public Works before building, altering, or repairing any driveway that connects to a County-maintained road. Blocking a public driveway is prohibited in county parking areas, and curb-cut work is regulated for traffic safety.
SCCC 9.70.600 lets residents petition to designate a street where parking a commercial vehicle of 10,000 lbs GVW or more (or an RV) is unlawful once signs are posted. SCCC 9.70.610 separately bars businesses with fleets of three or more vehicles from storing them on county roads when not in use.
Santa Cruz County Code § 9.57.020 (Abandoned vehicles - Definitions and procedure)
Any operable vehicle on a highway or public right-of-way which has not been moved more than 1,000 feet for a continuous 72-hour period and appears to be a deserted vehicle is declared an abandoned vehicle, subject to removal under this chapter. The abandonment of any vehicle shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the last registered owner of record is responsible for the abandonment an...
SCCC 9.70.610 bars parking any vehicle on a County-maintained road for more than 72 consecutive hours in unincorporated Santa Cruz County. A vehicle is considered parked the whole time unless it is moved more than 1,000 feet. Curb colors and posted no-parking zones add further restrictions.
Santa Cruz County Code § 9.36.010 (Markings and signs indicating restricted parking)
When authorized curb markings or signs have been determined by the Director of the Department of Public Works to be necessary and are in place, no operator of any motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle in violation of the following restrictions: Red - No stopping, standing or parking... Green - 20 minutes maximum... Blue - vehicles displaying disabled plates or placards only.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County has no blanket overnight ban on ordinary cars on residential streets, but SCCC 9.70.620 bans overnight RV/mobile-home street parking, SCCC 9.36.080 bans overnight parking in county lots, and several beach areas (SCCC 9.36.050) close to parking from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Santa Cruz County Code § 9.36.080 (Overnight parking prohibited)
Except as specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of General Services, it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle overnight or camp therein overnight in any off-street parking area owned or operated by or leased to the County of Santa Cruz for any County operation other than County parks. Except as specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of Parks, Open S...
In county-owned off-street lots, SCCC 9.36.070(16) limits parking in spaces marked 'electric vehicle charging only' to a maximum of three hours. Statewide, California Vehicle Code Section 22511 lets agencies and lot owners reserve EV-charging stalls and tow vehicles that are not connected for charging.
SCCC Chapter 9.57 prohibits abandoning a vehicle on a public street or highway. A vehicle left 72+ hours without moving 1,000 feet is deemed abandoned; the Sheriff issues a 10-day abatement notice before towing. Inoperable, stripped vehicles can be removed immediately, and recovery requires a $50 minimum administrative fee plus costs.
SCCC 9.36.010 defines the curb colors used in unincorporated Santa Cruz County: red means no stopping/standing/parking, green a 20-minute limit, yellow a 30-minute commercial loading zone, white five-minute passenger loading, and blue disabled parking. Only authorized county markings have legal effect.
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, SCCC 9.36.010 sets curb-color loading rules: yellow curbs are commercial loading zones limited to 30 minutes, white curbs are passenger loading limited to five minutes. Commercial development must also provide off-street loading berths under County Code Chapter 13.16.
SCCC 9.70.610(C) bars parking a vehicle more than six feet tall, including loaded sideboards or trailer contents, within 100 feet of any County-maintained road intersection. Streets can also be posted to ban RVs and 10,000-lb-plus commercial vehicles via the SCCC 9.70.600 petition process.
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own parking rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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