Merced, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

010 lets the city council create a residential parking permit zone either on the city engineer's recommendation or when residents file a petition signed by at least sixty-seven percent of the residents and property owners in a specific residential area. Before designating a zone, the council must hold a public hearing and find that the area's parking problems, caused by the nature, location, frequency or duration of activities or events, outweigh the general public's need for access. 090 requires the city engineer to post signs showing the posted time limit and restricted hours.

060 limits eligible areas to those zoned R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4. 120 caps issuance at two annual permits per residential address, requires a separate application for each vehicle, and puts the police chief in charge of issuing a distinctively colored sticker every January 1st that is valid for one calendar year unless the permit states otherwise. 110 include ambulances, fire and police vehicles, other identified official or emergency vehicles, and clearly marked commercial vehicles actively loading, delivering, or performing repair or landscaping work for a resident in the zone.

A valid sticker displayed on the vehicle removes it from the zone's general parking time restrictions, though it does not guarantee an on-street space or exempt the vehicle from any other parking law.