Santa Cruz County, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCCC § 9.36.060
- Restricted area
- Curb-to-bike-lane buffer strip
- Trigger
- Board resolution plus curb marking or sign
- Enforcement
- Civil citation, CVC § 40200 procedures
- Towing authority
- CHP or Sheriff's deputy, § 9.36.040
- Origin
- Prior code § 10.60.033; Ord. 2212 (1975)
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County bans parking in the striped buffer of a marked bicycle lane under SCCC § 9.36.060. Once curb markings or signs are posted, no motor vehicle may stop, stand, or park between the curb and the line that marks a Board-established bike lane, and violations run through the same civil penalty track as other Chapter 9.36 parking rules.
When authorized curb markings or signs are in place giving notice of no parking, no operator of any motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle upon the area of any street between the curb and any line delineating the boundary of a bicycle lane established by resolution of the Board as a no-parking zone.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
033 and dating to Ordinance 2212 (1975), makes it unlawful to "stop, stand or park" a motor vehicle in the area between the curb and the boundary line of a bicycle lane once the Board of Supervisors has established that lane by resolution and posted curb markings or signs giving notice. 36 (Parking), the same chapter that sets the County's red, green, yellow, white and blue curb-color system, so a bike lane buffer painted or signed as a no-parking zone is enforced exactly like those color-coded zones: the marking itself, not a separate permit, creates the restriction.
060; residents should look for the actual paint or sign before assuming a spot is off-limits. 010 over curb markings and signs countywide. rather than a criminal charge. 040, a California Highway Patrol officer or Sheriff's deputy may have the vehicle towed to a County-authorized storage facility at the owner's or driver's cost, payable before release.
Violations & Fines
A vehicle parked in a signed or curb-marked bicycle lane buffer is cited under SCCC § 9.36.100 as a Chapter 9.36 parking violation, which carries a civil penalty enforced through the administrative citation procedures of California Vehicle Code § 40200 et seq. rather than a misdemeanor charge. Where a posted zone also authorizes towing under § 9.36.040, the Sheriff or CHP can tow the vehicle to a County-authorized garage at the owner's expense, payable before the vehicle is released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every bike lane in unincorporated Santa Cruz County a no-parking zone?
What happens if I park in a marked bike lane buffer in the unincorporated county?
Who enforces the bike lane parking ban in unincorporated Santa Cruz County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California mobility & curb rules overview
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