California Vehicle Code §21458 standardizes curb-paint meanings statewide: red (no stopping), yellow (loading), white (passenger), green (timed), blue (disabled). Santa Clara County Roads paints unincorporated curbs accordingly.
California Vehicle Code §21458 establishes uniform curb-color meanings throughout the state. Red curbs prohibit stopping, standing, or parking by any vehicle (except permitted buses at marked stops). Yellow means commercial loading only, time-limited (typically 3 minutes for passengers, 20 for freight). White is brief passenger pickup or mail delivery. Green allows time-limited parking (15 minutes typical). Blue marks disabled-placard parking. Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department paints curbs on County-maintained unincorporated streets following CVC standards under Title B vehicle and traffic regulations. Property owners cannot paint their own curbs to claim parking — only the County or municipality with jurisdiction may officially designate restrictions. Faded or unofficial paint may be legally unenforceable.
Parking against red, yellow, white, blue, or expired green curb risks CVC §22500 citation typically $60-$110, plus tow under §22651 if obstructing traffic. Disabled-zone violations carry $250+ fines.
San Jose, CA
San Jose generally permits overnight street parking citywide, but oversized vehicles (over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long) are prohibited from parking on public...
San Jose, CA
Vehicles parked on San Jose streets for more than 72 hours without movement are considered abandoned per SJMC §11.36.220 and CA Vehicle Code §22651.
See how San Jose's curb color rules rules stack up against other locations.
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