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

Under SCCC § 9.36.080, except as specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of General Services, it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle overnight or to camp therein overnight in any off-street parking area owned or operated by or leased to the County of Santa Cruz for any County operation other than County parks. Separately, except as specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services, it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any County park parking area after the posted closing hours of the park. On unincorporated public streets, overnight parking is not categorically banned by the County code, but California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k) authorizes the Sheriff to remove any vehicle parked or left standing on a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours, and SCCC Chapter 9.57 codifies that abandoned-vehicle procedure locally. Camping in a vehicle on county streets is further restricted by SCCC Chapter 10.16 (No Camping Zones) where the Board of Supervisors has designated such zones.