Santa Cruz County, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Cal. Veh. Code § 22507; SCCC § 9.46.020
- Nonresident permits
- 10 daily / 15 yearly cap
- Guest permits
- Max 2 per residence
- Fraud/misuse fine
- Up to $500 (§ 9.46.180(E))
- Enforcement
- Sheriff and CHP (§ 9.46.170)
- Permit administrator
- Director of Public Works
Summary
The Fall Creek area of unincorporated Santa Cruz County runs a preferential parking permit zone under SCCC Chapter 9.46, adopted under Vehicle Code § 22507. Parking is prohibited during defined periods unless a vehicle displays a resident, nonresident, or guest permit issued by the Director of Public Works, with strict caps on nonresident and guest permits.
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22507, the Board of Supervisors ordains that a preferential parking zone is established in the Fall Creek Drive area in which parking will be prohibited during a defined period of time. Exemptions from such prohibition, when not otherwise indicated in this chapter, will be obtained by securing and displaying in a vehicle a parking permit as described herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
020 establishes the Fall Creek permit parking zone: "a preferential parking zone is established in the Fall Creek Drive area in which parking will be prohibited during a defined period of time," with exemption from that prohibition obtained only by securing and displaying a parking permit. 140. 060). 080). 090). 150), as are alleys, private property, and private streets. 130).
Violations & Fines
Parking without a permit in the Fall Creek zone during restricted hours is a Chapter 9.46 civil violation processed under the administrative citation procedures of California Vehicle Code § 40200 et seq. (SCCC § 9.46.180(A)). Falsely claiming permit eligibility, lending a permit to another vehicle, or producing a counterfeit permit is separately unlawful, and a conviction for those acts or for violating the exemption rules of § 9.46.150 is punishable by a fine of up to $500 (§ 9.46.180(B) through (E)).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Fall Creek permit parking zone work in unincorporated Santa Cruz County?
Can visitors park in the Fall Creek permit zone?
What is the penalty for misusing a Fall Creek parking permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
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