Elk Grove, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

Chapter 10.26 was adopted to protect residential streets from being used as free parking by people visiting nearby hospitals, schools and large office buildings. Section 10.26.030 requires a formal process before a street qualifies: the Director surveys residences on the proposed block, and "a minimum of seventy-five (75%) percent of the residences surveyed (one (1) vote per residence) must be in favor of the designation or annexation" before the City Council can act. Once established, Section 10.26.050 lets the Director issue a permit to a resident who applies, proves the vehicle is registered to an address in the zone, and pays the Council-set fee; each residence gets one vehicle permit per registered car plus one guest permit, valid only on its own block or, for a corner lot, the two contiguous blocks.

Section 10.26.060 is the operative ban: "No vehicle shall be parked or stopped adjacent to any curb in a preferential parking zone, unless such vehicle has a valid and current preferential parking permit, or is otherwise exempt to the extent authorized by law." Section 10.26.070 exempts utility, government, emergency and active on-site service vehicles. Zones can be terminated on a 75-percent resident petition, or by Council resolution at any time, under Section 10.26.040. Denials, fines or other decisions under the chapter can be appealed under Chapter 1.11 per Section 10.26.110.