Santa Barbara County, CA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Curb-color rules in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County come from statewide law, which the County applies and posts. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21458, when a local authority paints or marks curbs: red means no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or not (except a bus in a designated zone); yellow means stopping only long enough to load or unload passengers or freight; white means stopping only to load or unload passengers or deposit mail in an adjacent mailbox; green means time-limited parking as set by local ordinance; and blue is reserved exclusively for vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans. These colors carry the force of law where the County has applied them, during the days and hours the local ordinance prescribes. Only the County (through Public Works and by Board resolution under County Code Section 23-11) installs and maintains regulatory curb markings on county roads; there is no ordinance authorizing a resident to paint the curb in front of their home to reserve or restrict street parking, and unauthorized markings on the public right-of-way are not enforceable and may be treated as an encroachment. County Ordinance 5163 reinforces that, in County off-street lots, a 'no parking zone' includes the paved area in front of any red-painted curbing (Sec. 12A-23(c)). Residents who want a curb marked for safety should request it through County Public Works rather than painting it themselves.