Imperial County, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)

There is no Imperial County ordinance that prohibits overnight parking outright on unincorporated county roads. Instead, Title 10, Chapter 10.24 of the county code controls, and its central limit is the 72-hour rule in Section 10.24.010: a vehicle may not be left standing on a county road, public street or highway for 72 or more consecutive hours. Because the threshold is measured in consecutive hours, lawful overnight parking is permitted so long as the vehicle does not remain in place beyond that window and is parked parallel and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or road boundary. Once 72 hours pass, the vehicle becomes subject to removal by the California Highway Patrol or a salaried sheriff's deputy to the nearest garage, mirroring the California Vehicle Code 72-hour abandonment standard. The county's vehicle-parking regulations were last refined by Ordinance No. 1443 in 2009 at Sections 10.24.030 and 10.24.035. Drivers should also note that posted or curb-marked restrictions (Vehicle Code Section 21458 colors) and Vehicle Code Section 22500 prohibitions on parking near driveways, crosswalks and obstructions apply at all hours, including overnight.