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Marin County, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

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

Key Facts

Muir Woods corridor
Mile post 1.77 to 2.32
Muir Woods permits issued by
National Park Service (NPS)
Bolinas program permits
Issued to residents only
Enforcement trigger
Only after adequate signage posted
Default chapter fine
$100 infraction, § 15.36.100
Legal authority
Cal. Vehicle Code § 22507

Summary

Marin County runs two permit-based preferential parking programs on unincorporated roads: the Muir Woods Road Preferential Parking Corridor and the Bolinas Residential Parking Program. Both bar general public parking on the designated roads unless the vehicle carries an issued permit, enforced only once signs are posted.

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

Pursuant to the power provided Marin County under California Vehicle Code Section 22507, the board of supervisors prohibits the parking of vehicles on Muir Woods Road (Franks Valley Road) in the portion of said road designated within the Muir Woods Road Preferential Parking Corridor... other than parking by vehicles of visitors of the Muir Woods National Monument which have been issued a permit for such parking by the National Park Service (NPS)... Violations for motorists infractions of preferential parking for NPS and/or its permittees shall not be enforced until the locations have been adequately signed. The Muir Woods Road Preferential Parking Corridor shall begin at mile post 1.77 and extend southerly and westerly to mile post 2.32.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 2026 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

36, the Board of Supervisors uses its authority under California Vehicle Code Section 22507 to restrict parking to permit holders in two zones. 033. Inside that corridor, parking is prohibited except for vehicles belonging to visitors of Muir Woods National Monument that hold a permit issued by the National Park Service (NPS). The county authorizes NPS to run the permit program and to charge and keep a reservation fee for those permits, so the fee is set by the federal park service rather than the county itself.

020 establishes the Bolinas Residential Parking Program for the Bolinas Residential Parking Zone. Parking there is restricted to the specific roads and hours set later by board resolution, and only residents who have been issued a permit may park outside those restricted hours or on the restricted roads. Both sections share the same enforcement trigger: violations are not cited until the county has adequately signed the affected locations, so a driver cannot be ticketed for a permit zone that has not been posted. 100 unless a different amount is later set by resolution.

Violations & Fines

A vehicle without the required NPS permit parked inside the signed Muir Woods Road corridor, or without a resident permit inside the signed Bolinas Residential Parking Zone during restricted hours, is subject to an infraction citation. Chapter 15.36's default fine is $100 per violation under Section 15.36.100, though Bolinas fines are set separately by board resolution under Section 15.60.010. Vehicles can also be towed under the chapter's vehicle-removal provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can park on Muir Woods Road without a ticket?
Only vehicles displaying a permit issued by the National Park Service for visitors to Muir Woods National Monument may park within the designated corridor from mile post 1.77 to 2.32; all other vehicles are prohibited once the area is signed, per Marin County Code § 15.36.010.
Does Marin County charge for the Muir Woods parking permit?
The county authorizes NPS, not the county itself, to issue permits and to charge and retain a reservation fee reasonable and necessary to run the program, as set out in Marin County Code § 15.36.010.
Can any Bolinas resident park on restricted streets at any time?
No. Only residents issued a permit may park on the roads and during the hours restricted under the Bolinas Residential Parking Program, and those restrictions are set later by board resolution under Marin County Code § 15.36.020.
Can I be ticketed in a preferential parking zone with no signs posted?
No. Both § 15.36.010 and § 15.36.020 state that violations will not be enforced until the affected locations have been adequately signed, so unsigned streets in a designated zone are not yet enforceable.

Sources & Official References

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