Santa Barbara, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)

Unlike some cities, the City of Santa Barbara does not impose a universal 2:00 a.m.-to-6:00 a.m. parking ban on every residential street. Instead, overnight parking is shaped by several specific Municipal Code provisions. SBMC 10.44.060 sets a 72-hour street-parking limit: no person who owns or controls a vehicle may park it on any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours, and a vehicle left beyond 72 hours may be removed by a Police officer authorized by the Chief of Police. SBMC 10.44.200 bans any recreational vehicle from parking or standing between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. in the area south of the U.S. 101 freeway, between Castillo Street and the eastern City boundary at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge and Coast Village Road, which covers much of the waterfront and beach-adjacent neighborhoods. Oversized vehicles are prohibited from the public right-of-way at all hours under SBMC 10.44.220(B), and even permitted oversized vehicles may only park overnight in emergency situations under a Contractor permit. Residential Parking Permit Areas may also limit overnight on-street parking to permit holders. For residents living in vehicles, the City funds 25 safe-parking spaces operated by New Beginnings as an overnight alternative.