Sonoma County, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- County Code Sec. 18-3.3(b), 18-3.5(c)
- County-wide overnight ban
- None - only posted zones/hours
- Permitted restriction window
- 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (designated roads)
- Overnight zones
- Set by Board resolution, must be signed
- 72-hour cap still applies
- Sec. 18-3.7
- Oversized vehicles overnight
- Limited to 6 hours (Sec. 18-3.10)
Summary
Unincorporated Sonoma County has no blanket overnight parking ban on all County roads. Instead, Sonoma County Code Sec. 18-3.3 allows parking to be prohibited between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on designated road portions, and Sec. 18-3.5 lets the Board of Supervisors create posted 'No Overnight Parking' zones by resolution.
No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street, roadway or parking lot for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
There is no county-wide rule that bars parking on every County road overnight. Instead, Sonoma County Code Chapter 18, Article III gives the County two targeted tools. Sec. , and any vehicle parked in violation is subject to removal. Sec. 5(c) further authorizes the Board of Supervisors to designate specific roads or areas as 'No Overnight Parking' zones by resolution; such a designation is enforceable only once curb markings or signs giving adequate notice are conspicuously in place. The Public Works Director (Sonoma Public Infrastructure) maintains the official list of these restricted zones and publishes it on the County's infrastructure website.
restriction or no-overnight zone is posted, overnight street parking is generally permitted, but a vehicle still cannot remain in one place for 72 or more consecutive hours (Sec. 7), and oversized vehicles, RVs, boats, and trailers are limited to six consecutive hours on County roads and rights-of-way (Sec. 10). Drivers should check posted signs and the County's restricted-parking list for the specific road in question.
Violations & Fines
Parking in a posted 2:00-6:00 a.m. no-parking stretch or a designated 'No Overnight Parking' zone is a parking violation subject to a civil penalty under Vehicle Code Sec. 40200 et seq. (Sec. 18-3.6) and to removal of the vehicle. Restrictions are enforceable only where signs or curb markings are present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overnight street parking banned everywhere in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Can I sleep overnight in my RV on a County road?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
How Sonoma County compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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