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

There is no Tehama County ordinance prohibiting parking on a public road simply because it is overnight. The controlling limit comes from the California Vehicle Code. Vehicle Code Section 22651, subdivision (k) authorizes removal of a vehicle that has been parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours. Tehama County's own code recognizes this state remedy: Section 9.02.030(E) of the abandoned-vehicle chapter states that a vehicle cited for a 72-hour parking violation under Vehicle Code Section 22651(k), and a vehicle cited for expired registration of more than six months under Section 22651(o), are nuisances that the enforcing officer abates directly under the Vehicle Code rather than the chapter's longer notice process. Practically, this means you can park overnight on most county roads, but you should not leave a vehicle in the same spot on a public road for more than 72 hours. The county's specific no-parking zones in Chapter 11.12 still apply at all hours where posted, and private property and HOA rules are separate. Habitation overnight in an RV on private land is governed by Zoning Code Chapter 17.86.