Santa Monica, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Early-morning stay limit (posted streets)
- 30 minutes, 3 AM – 5 AM
- Overnight ban for large vehicles
- 9 PM – 6 AM, all streets
- Size threshold (overnight ban)
- >8 ft wide, >8 ft tall, or >20 ft long
- Resident overnight permit
- Up to 1 month; 1 permit per address
- Non-resident overnight permit
- Up to 7 consecutive days per month
- Permit parking zone
- Within 2 blocks of permit holder's residence
Summary
On streets posted with overnight restrictions, no vehicle may remain parked for more than 30 minutes between 3 AM and 5 AM. City-wide, trailers and vehicles over 8 ft wide, 8 ft tall, or 20 ft long may not park on any public street between 9 PM and 6 AM without a City permit.
§ 3.12.850. Early morning parking prohibited. No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle for a period longer than thirty minutes between the hours of three a.m. and five a.m. of any day on any street, alley or public place when posted in accordance with Section 3.12.840 of this Chapter.
§ 3.12.860. Overnight parking of trailers and large vehicles. Between the hours of nine p.m. and six a.m. on any public street or alley in the City no person shall park any hitched or unhitched trailer of any size, or any vehicle of which any part of the vehicle, together with all fixtures, accessories or property with the exception of single post radio antennas, measures more than eight feet in width, or eight feet in height, or twenty feet in length, unless such person shall have a permit for such trailer or vehicle.
Full Breakdown
The early-morning 30-minute limit (3–5 AM) applies only where the City has posted signs pursuant to § 3.12.840. The overnight ban for oversized vehicles (9 PM–6 AM) covers every public street and alley with no restriction to posted zones. The City issues overnight permits for oversized vehicles: resident permits cover up to one month per vehicle per address (one permit per address at a time); non-resident permits are limited to one consecutive seven-day period per month. The permitted vehicle must park within two blocks of the permit holder's home.
Violations & Fines
Civil parking penalties apply to violations. Vehicles illegally parked for more than 72 consecutive hours may be towed under § 3.12.990. General chapter violations carry fines up to $250 (infraction) or $1,000 plus up to 6 months jail (misdemeanor).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my car parked on a Santa Monica street all night?
What if I want to park my RV or trailer on the street overnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
How Santa Monica compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica 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.