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

Curb painting is controlled by state law and the County's own parking ordinance. California Vehicle Code Section 21458 provides that when local authorities enact parking regulations and indicate them with curb markings, only the standardized colors may be used and only the local authority may establish them: red means no stopping, standing, or parking (with a bus-zone exception); yellow is for loading/unloading within local time limits; white is for brief passenger loading or depositing mail; green is time-limited parking; and blue is reserved exclusively for the vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans. In unincorporated Sacramento County, County Code Section 10.24.010 authorizes the Director to place and maintain these curb markings and signs and spells out each color's meaning consistent with Section 21458. Because only the local authority may establish curb markings, a resident or business cannot lawfully paint a public curb (for example, to create a private 'no parking' or red zone) on their own; markings placed without authorization have no legal effect and unauthorized painting of public right-of-way can be a separate violation. Curb colors are enforceable only where officially placed.