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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Time limit
72 consecutive hours
Covers
County streets, highways, alleys, CSA roads
State authority
Vehicle Code § 22651(k)
Base fine
$25-$100 infraction under § 19-33.1
Extra remedy
Tow and storage at owner's expense
Adopted
Ord. No. 2731, 5-24-2005

Summary

No vehicle may sit parked or standing on a Lake County street, highway or alley, or a County Service Area road, for more than 72 consecutive hours under Code § 19-37, adopted under California Vehicle Code § 22651(k) to authorize towing.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lake County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

37.3 Prohibition. No vehicle shall be parked or left standing on any County or County Service Area street, highway or alley for more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours. (Ord. No. 2731, § 4, 5-24-2005) 37.4 Penalty. In addition to the penalty set forth in Section 19-33.1 for violations of provisions of this article, any vehicle in violation of this section is subject to being towed and stored at the owner's expense.

Full Breakdown

Section 19-37 was adopted under Vehicle Code § 22650 through § 22856, drawing specifically on § 22651(k), which lets peace officers and certain county employees remove a vehicle parked or left standing on a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours once a local ordinance authorizes removal. 3, states plainly that no vehicle shall be parked or left standing on any County or County Service Area street, highway or alley for more than seventy-two consecutive hours. 2 defines the covered roadway broadly: a county street or highway or county service area highway or road includes all or any part of the entire width of the roadway or public right-of-way, whether or not the entire area is actually used for street or highway purposes, and it separately defines an alley as a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width used mainly for access to the rear or side of abutting property.

1 (a $25-$100 infraction fine): a vehicle in violation of the 72-hour rule is subject to being towed and stored at the owner's own expense, on top of that fine. The ordinance history shows it was enacted by Ord. No. 2731 in 2005 and its penalty cross-reference dates to Ord. No. 2530 in 2000.

Violations & Fines

Leaving a vehicle parked in the same spot on a county road, highway, alley, or County Service Area road for more than 72 consecutive hours violates § 19-37.3. In addition to the general Article IV infraction fine of $25 to $100 under § 19-33.1, the vehicle is subject to being towed and stored at the owner's expense under § 19-37.4.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I leave my car parked on a Lake County road?
Up to 72 consecutive hours. Section 19-37.3 bans parking or leaving any vehicle standing on a county street, highway, alley, or County Service Area road beyond that limit, and the vehicle can then be towed.
What happens if my car is towed for overstaying the 72-hour limit?
Under § 19-37.4 the vehicle is towed and stored at the owner's expense in addition to the standard Article IV infraction fine of $25 to $100 set by § 19-33.1.
Does the 72-hour rule cover alleys?
Yes. Section 19-37.2(b) defines an alley as a county roadway not exceeding 25 feet wide used mainly for access to the rear or side of abutting property, and it is expressly included in the 72-hour prohibition.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lake County

All Lake County rules

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