San Francisco, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Transportation Code Sec. 905
- Issuing authority
- SFMTA Director of Transportation
- Standard permit cap
- 4 per address
- Areas AA/EE cap
- 1 per person, 2 per address
Summary
San Francisco issues Residential Parking Permits letting resident vehicles park past posted time limits inside a designated Residential Parking Permit Area, but the permit does not guarantee a space.
The Director of Transportation shall issue a Residential Parking Permit for use by a specified vehicle upon receipt of a written application from a qualifying property resident. No more than one Parking permit shall be issued to each vehicle for which application is made.
(2) The Parking privileges of a Residential Parking Permit do not extend to any non-Electric Vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 6,000 pounds, any Electric Vehicle with a GVWR in excess of 8,000 pounds, or any trailer, trailer coach, utility trailer, or any other type of vehicle as defined in the California Vehicle Code, whether separate from or attached to a motor vehicle possessing a Residential Parking Permit.
(3) A Residential Parking Permit does not guarantee or reserve to the Permittee an on-street parking space within a Residential Parking Permit Area.
(4) A Residential Parking Permit may be issued to residents of a Residential Parking Permit Area for motor vehicles registered out-of-state, provided that the applicant documents the resident’s active military duty status.
(b) Permit Privileges.
(1) Any vehicle that possesses a valid Residential Parking Permit shall be permitted to Park in the Residential Parking Permit Area for which the permit has been issued notwithstanding posted time restrictions, but is not exempt from Parking restrictions established pursuant to any authority other
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Transportation Code Sec. 905, the SFMTA's Director of Transportation issues a Residential Parking Permit to a qualifying resident's vehicle on written application. A permitted vehicle may park in its Residential Parking Permit Area despite posted time restrictions, but the permit does not reserve or guarantee an on-street space and does not exempt the vehicle from other parking restrictions. No more than four permits go to a single address absent a waiver, and Areas AA/EE plus areas created after May 1, 2018 cap at one permit per person and two per address.
Violations & Fines
Parking without a valid permit in a Residential Parking Permit Area subjects the vehicle to enforcement of posted time restrictions like any unpermitted vehicle; displaying a fraudulent or altered permit is separately punishable under Transportation Code Sec. 7.2.50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a residential permit guarantee me a parking spot?
Can out-of-state vehicles get a residential permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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