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

In the City of Santa Barbara, curb colors are official traffic-control markings under SBMC 10.48.041, and private parties may not paint or alter them. Each color carries a defined meaning: RED means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time, except as permitted by the Vehicle Code (and except a bus in a marked bus loading zone). YELLOW indicates a loading zone, marked with stenciled 'loading only' lettering, where (per SBMC 10.48.060) no parking is allowed between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. except Sunday other than loading/unloading, with a 30-minute commercial freight limit. WHITE means no stopping, standing, or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers, not exceeding three minutes (or depositing mail/books in an adjacent container). GREEN means no standing or parking longer than 15 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sunday, unless otherwise posted. BLUE means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time except for physically handicapped persons whose vehicles display a distinguishing license plate or placard. The authority to establish, change, and physically install these curb markings rests with the City: SBMC 10.48.020 lets the Transportation Engineer set posted limits, and the Public Works Permit Counter ((805) 564-5388) handles requests for curb-painting and sign changes. Curb markings have no legal effect unless authorized and installed by the City under these provisions, so residents should not paint their own curbs.