Monterey County, CA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Curb markings on public roads in the unincorporated county are governed by the California Vehicle Code, which standardizes curb colors statewide so the county does not set its own conflicting color scheme. Vehicle Code Section 21458 provides that when local authorities mark curbs to indicate parking regulations, the colors mean: red, 'no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended'; yellow, 'stopping only for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or freight'; white, stopping only for loading or unloading of passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox; green, 'time limit parking specified by local ordinance'; and blue, 'parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans.' Because green-curb time limits are tied to a 'local ordinance,' a green curb is only enforceable where the county has adopted a corresponding time-limit ordinance and posted it. Under Vehicle Code Section 22507, a county may restrict parking by ordinance, but the restriction (and any supporting curb marking) does not apply until adequate-notice signs or markings are placed. Private property owners and residents generally may not paint public curbs to create their own restrictions; regulatory curb painting is done by the county or its authorized agents. Improperly painted curbs are not enforceable and may be removed.