Under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k) and Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.12, vehicles parked on public streets for 72 or more consecutive hours are considered abandoned and subject to citation and towing. Temporary No Parking signs require 24–72 hours advance posting.
Santa Monica enforces abandoned vehicle provisions under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k) and the City's traffic regulations in Chapter 3.12. Any vehicle parked or left standing on a public street for 72 or more consecutive hours is subject to citation and towing. The City's Parking Operations division handles enforcement through regular patrol and resident reports. Inoperable vehicles on public streets may be towed regardless of duration. Temporary No Parking (TNP) signs must be posted a minimum of 24 hours and maximum of 72 hours before the effective date per CVC Section 22651(m). Santa Monica also operates residential permit parking zones throughout the City, particularly in neighborhoods near commercial districts and the beach. Vehicles without valid residential permits in these zones are subject to citation. The City's dense urban environment and high parking demand result in active enforcement.
72-hour violations result in parking citations and towing at the owner's expense. Impound release and daily storage fees apply. Inoperable vehicles may be towed immediately. Repeated violations on the same vehicle may result in lien sale proceedings.
Santa Monica, CA
Backyard chickens are allowed in Santa Monica with restrictions. Roosters are prohibited in residential areas due to noise. Livestock keeping is restricted b...
Santa Monica, CA
Dogs must be on a leash in all public areas in Santa Monica. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks. The city enforces leash laws through ...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on i...
Santa Monica, CA
Feeding wildlife in Santa Monica public parks and beaches is discouraged. The city's property maintenance code addresses nuisance conditions from wildlife at...
Santa Monica, CA
Portable fire pits on private property in Santa Monica must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations. Burns are prohibited on spare-the-air days. Beach fires...
Santa Monica, CA
Properties in fire hazard zones near Santa Monica must maintain defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Santa Monica itself is largely urban/coastal with limited ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle abandoned vehicles.
See how Santa Monica's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.