Santa Clara County, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Max duration
- 72 consecutive hours
- Applies to
- unincorporated county highways only
- Who tows
- CHP or Sheriff's deputy
- Storage lien
- garage may lien vehicle
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows a vehicle to sit on a public highway continuously for up to 72 hours; beyond that, the California Highway Patrol or a Sheriff's deputy may tow it under the Vehicle Code.
No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park or leave standing, or cause to be left parked or left standing, such vehicle upon any highway in the unincorporated territory of the County for a period of 72 or more consecutive hours.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-102. - Same—Removal of vehicle. In the event that any vehicle is parked or left standing on any highway in the unincorporated territory of the County for a period of 72 or more consecutive hours, any member of the California Highway Patrol or regularly employed and salaried deputy of the Sheriffs office of the County may remove such vehicle from the highway in the manner and subject to the requirements of the Vehicle Code.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-103. - Same—Notice; lien for towing and storage. In the event that any officer removes a vehicle from a highway pursuant to Section B12-101, such officer shall give the notices provided for in the Vehicle Code; and the keeper of the garage in which such vehicle is stored may have a lien thereon dependent upon possession for his compensation for towage and for caring for and keeping safe such vehicle subject to the requirements and conditions of the Vehicle Code.
(Ord. No. NS-1004.121, § 1, 11-3-80)
Sec. B12-104. - Declaration of congested area, adoption of regulations.
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. B12-101 prohibits parking or leaving any vehicle standing on a highway in unincorporated Santa Clara County for 72 or more consecutive hours. Once that window passes, Sec. B12-102 authorizes the CHP or a regularly employed, salaried Sheriff's deputy to remove the vehicle under Vehicle Code procedures, and Sec. B12-103 requires the removing officer to give the notices the Vehicle Code requires, with the storing garage entitled to a possessory lien for towing and storage costs.
Violations & Fines
No separate cash fine is set in the code itself; the consequence is towing and storage at the owner's expense once the 72-hour threshold is crossed, plus applicable Vehicle Code notice and lien procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my car parked on the street overnight in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Does the county need a hearing before towing my car after 72 hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
How Santa Clara County compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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