Tulare County, CA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Red
- No stopping/standing/parking (except per Vehicle Code; marked bus zones)
- Yellow / White
- Freight-passenger loading / passenger-postal loading
- Green / Blue
- Limited-time parking as posted / disabled parking
- Who may paint
- Director of Transportation only (or with Road Commissioner permission)
- Authority
- County Code 3-03-1126 (Ord. 3561, eff. 06-20-19)
Summary
Curb colors in unincorporated Tulare County are set by County Code 3-03-1126: red = no stopping/standing/parking; yellow = freight or passenger loading; white = passenger loading or postal mail; green = limited-time parking as posted; blue = disabled parking. Only the Director of Transportation may paint curbs, and parking against the markings is unlawful.
Red means no stopping, standing or parking at any time except as permitted by the Vehicle Code and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone. Yellow indicates a loading zone for freight or passengers. White indicates a passenger loading zone or a postal mail zone. Green means standing or parking for a limited time as posted. Blue indicates parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans.
Full Breakdown
Section 3-03-1126 of the Tulare County Ordinance Code (added by Ord. No. ' Once the County places curb markings under this section, it is unlawful for any person to stand, stop, or park a vehicle in violation of those markings or signs (subsection (c)). Separately, parking restrictions adopted by Board resolution may also be 'indicated by the use of signs and/or paint upon curbs' under Section 3-03-1010. Violations are punishable under California Vehicle Code Divisions 17 and 18 (Section 3-03-1235).
Violations & Fines
Painting a curb without being the Director of Transportation or having the Road Commissioner's permission violates Section 3-03-1126(b). Parking contrary to an official red, yellow, white, green, or blue curb marking is unlawful under 3-03-1126(c) and punishable under CVC Divisions 17 and 18 (Section 3-03-1235).
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the curb colors mean in unincorporated Tulare County?
Can I paint the curb red in front of my house to stop people parking there?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulare County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tulare County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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