Santa Clara County, CA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Red curb meaning
- bus zone only
- Established by
- Board of Supervisors resolution
- Default zone length
- 100 feet from intersection
- Permitted users
- commercial or school buses
Summary
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, a red-painted curb marks an official bus zone reserved for commercial or school buses only: the code reserves the color red exclusively for that designation.
Whenever this article establishes a bus zone, the top and face of the curb therein, if any, shall be painted red; and one or more appropriate signs shall be erected to identify the zone.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-142. - Establishment of bus zones. Bus zones shall be established by duly adopted resolution of the Board of Supervisors, and, unless otherwise indicated in the resolution, shall extend 100 feet from the curb or pavement edge of the intersecting street, if any.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-143. - Use of mail deposit zone. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in a mail deposit zone except for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-144. - Marking of mail deposit zones. Whenever this article establishes a mail deposit zone, the top and face of the curb of the section so established shall be painted white.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-145. - Mail deposit zones designated. The following described portions of the hereinafter mentioned public highways in the County are hereby designated as mail deposit zones and subject to the prohibition set forth in Section B12-143:
Name of Street Description Hamilton Avenue North side from a point 70 feet east of the extension of the east property line of Hurst Avenue to a point 33 feet to the east thereof. Race Street In front of 259 Race Street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Sec. B12-141 requires that whenever a bus zone is established under this article, the top and face of the curb there, if any, be painted red, with one or more signs erected to identify the zone. Under Sec. B12-140, only commercial or school buses may stand or park in a bus zone at any time. Bus zones are created by Board of Supervisors resolution (Sec. B12-142) and, unless the resolution says otherwise, extend 100 feet from the curb or pavement edge of the intersecting street. No other curb color in the county code (yellow, white) carries this restriction.
Violations & Fines
Standing or parking a non-bus vehicle in a red-curb bus zone violates the use restriction in Sec. B12-140 and is enforceable as a parking violation once the zone is established and signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a red curb mean in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Can I stop briefly at a red curb to drop someone off?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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