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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Standard overnight window
10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Longest continuous overnight ban
Patrick's Point Drive (~5.5 miles, both sides)
Scenic Drive overnight ban
Both sides PM 0.00-2.39 (HCC §431-96.6(a))
Beach Road, Redway
9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (HCC §431-12)
72-hour tow rule
CVC §22651(k)

Summary

Humboldt County prohibits overnight parking (typically 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) on many specific county roads including all of Patrick's Point Drive, both sides of Scenic Drive, Hatchery Road, King Salmon Avenue, and segments of New Navy Base Road, Elk River Road, Herrick Avenue, Beach Road in Redway, Drydens Road, Jackson Ranch Road, and Vance Avenue.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

431-86.Parking on Patrick's Point Drive.

(b) The parking of vehicles is hereby prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., daily, including Sundays and holidays, along both sides of Patrick's Point Drive (County Road No. 3N010) from Post Mile 0.00 to Post Mile 5.51 (P.K. 0.00 to P.K. 8.87). (Ord. 2146, § 1, 4/29/1997)

431-96.6.Parking on Scenic Drive.

(a) The parking of vehicles is hereby prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. daily, including Sundays and holidays, along both sides of Scenic Drive (County Road No. 4M310) from Post Mile 0.00 to Post Mile 2.39 (P.K. 0.00 to P.K. 3.85). (Ord. 1897, § 1, 4/24/1990; Ord. 2074, § 1, 5/23/1995; Ord. 2527, § 1, 2/24/2015)

431-23.5. Parking on Drydens Road. The parking of vehicles on Drydens Road (County Road No. 4Q110) is hereby prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. from Post Mile 0.393 to Post Mile 0.559 (P.K. 0.632 to P.K. 0.899).

431-61.0.4 Parking on Jackson Ranch Road. The parking of vehicles on Jackson Ranch Road (County Road No. 3L020) is hereby prohibited between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. from Post Mile 0.539 to Post Mile 0.563 (P.K. 0.867 to P.K. 0.906).

Full Breakdown

as its standard overnight no-parking window on county roads where it has determined overnight parking causes a public nuisance, blocks emergency access, or attracts vehicle camping. 39). , Ord. , Ord. ). ban under §431-79(c). California Vehicle Code §22651(k) separately authorizes any peace officer to tow a vehicle parked on a highway for more than 72 hours.

Violations & Fines

Overnight parking violations are infractions under HCC §431-1(d): up to $100 first offense, $200 second within a year, $250 third within a year. Vehicles left more than 72 hours on any highway can be towed under CVC §22651(k).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sleep in my car overnight on a county road?
Not on the named overnight-ban roads above. On other county roads, overnight parking is generally legal unless signed otherwise, but California Vehicle Code §22651(k) lets officers tow a vehicle left more than 72 consecutive hours. For lawful overnight stays, use a permitted Safe Parking site under HCC §314-61.05.
Why so many overnight bans on coastal roads?
Patrick's Point Drive, Scenic Drive, and the King Salmon/Beach Road areas all border state parks, beaches, or sensitive coastal habitat where overnight camping in vehicles was creating sanitation and access problems. The county banned it under HCC Title IV and posts signs at the ends of each restricted segment.
Do these rules apply inside Eureka or Arcata?
No. HCC §431-1 applies only to unincorporated areas. Inside incorporated city limits, the city's own municipal code controls overnight parking.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Humboldt County

All Humboldt County rules

How Humboldt County compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Humboldt County to another location·View the California parking rules overview

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