Novato, CA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Section 18-7.12 of the Novato Municipal Code implements Vehicle Code Section 21458 and assigns five colors. Red means no stopping, standing or parking at any time except as the vehicle code permits, with one carve-out: a bus can stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone. Yellow means no stopping, standing or parking between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. of any day, except Sunday and holidays, for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or freight. Passenger loading cannot consume more than three minutes, and freight loading cannot exceed one hour.

White allows stopping only to load or unload passengers, or to deposit mail in an adjacent mailbox, for no more than three minutes, and that restriction applies at all times unless signs authorized under the chapter say otherwise. Green means no standing or parking for longer than the period the city traffic engineer designates and posts on signs. Blue means no standing or parking except for a vehicle bearing a special license or displaying a special placard issued under the California Vehicle Code. Time on a blue space is limited to the period the city traffic engineer designates and posts.

Several neighboring sections finish the picture. Section 18-7.11 makes it unlawful to stop, park or leave a vehicle standing at any time or in any manner forbidden by authorized signs or curb markings. Under § 18-7.17, the curb surface within each bus and taxicab stand is painted white and marked "Bus Stand" or "Taxicab Stand" in red lettering, or designated by signs approved by the city traffic engineer, and only a bus, taxicab or automobile for hire can park there. Under § 18-7.13, the city traffic engineer decides where on-street "blue curb" spaces are designated for physically handicapped persons. Section 18-7.14 requires a vehicle to stay inside a single marked space unless its size or shape makes that impossible.