Palmdale, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 72 consecutive hours on any highway
- Local ordinance
- PMC § 10.04.035 (County Code § 15.64.200)
- State authority
- Cal. Veh. Code § 22651(k), (n)
- Sign-posting alternative
- City Council may post time-limit signs
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100 as an infraction
- Enforced by
- LA County Sheriff or City parking staff
Summary
Palmdale enforces California's default vehicle-removal authority to bar parking a vehicle on any street for more than 72 consecutive hours, and to remove vehicles from streets where the City Council has posted signs prohibiting parking by resolution. Cal. Veh. Code § 22651(k) and (n) let a peace officer or code enforcement employee tow a vehicle left standing that long or in violation of a posted local no-parking ordinance.
A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the officer or employee may act, under the following circumstances: ... (k) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance authorizing removal. ... (n) Whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking and have authorized the removal of vehicles. Except as provided in subdivisions (v) and (w), a vehicle shall not be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal.
Full Breakdown
010) lets the City Council direct the Traffic Engineer to post signs limiting parking time on any street, private street, or public parking lot whenever it finds insufficient space for all users, and state law backs that up in § 22651(n), which authorizes removal 'whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking,' so long as signs are posted giving notice, with narrow exceptions in subdivisions (v) and (w) for mobile billboard and advertising-sign ordinances that instead allow a warning citation.
200(B) includes any garage, lot, or open space owned or controlled by the County or City, or any private garage whose owner will accept the vehicle.
Violations & Fines
A vehicle towed under the 72-hour rule or a posted time limit is removed at the registered owner's expense, and reclaiming it requires paying towing, storage, and release charges under § 22651(i). Parking violations under the adopted County Vehicle and Traffic Code are infractions under PMC § 1.12.010(A), punishable by up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for a third or later offense, per § 1.12.020(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave a vehicle parked on a Palmdale street?
Can Palmdale post shorter time limits than 72 hours?
Where does Palmdale tow a vehicle removed under the 72-hour rule?
What's the fine for an illegally parked vehicle in Palmdale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palmdale
How Palmdale compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Palmdale to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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Overnight Parking in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle overnight parking.