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Santa Rosa, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

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

Key Facts

Eligibility radius
200 feet of the designated area
Vehicles per permit
one only
Permit hours
9am-6pm, Mon-Sat, except holidays
Permit term
1 year, renewable annually
Requires
valid business tax certificate
Oversubscription
allocated by lottery

Summary

Chapter 11-26 lets owners and employees of businesses within 200 feet of Santa Rosa's designated preferential parking area, a run of blocks along 6th, 7th and 8th Streets near Wilson, get a permit from the Parking Division. A permit is limited to one vehicle, runs 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday except City holidays, and requires a valid business tax certificate under Section 11-26.020.

Subject to the eligibility requirements established in Section 11-26.020 and the administrative regulations issued by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 11-26.060, owners and employees of businesses located within a 200-foot radius of the preferential parking area specified in this section may be issued preferential parking permits by the Parking Division.

Full Breakdown

010 designates the preferential parking area by street segment: both sides of 6th Street between Wilson Street and the Tee Vax or 115 6th Street driveways, both sides of West 6th Street between Wilson and Pierson Streets or the Chops Teen Club, Adams Street between West 6th and West 7th, both sides of West 7th Street between Wilson Street and Stark's Steak & Seafood or 37 West 7th Street, and West 8th Street between Wilson Street and Western Farm Center. 020, the Parking Division may issue permits subject to space availability, the business holding a valid Santa Rosa business tax certificate, and a completed application with the required fee; if demand outpaces supply, the Chief Financial Officer or a designee may run a lottery so qualifying businesses get a fair shot.

m. Monday through Saturday except City-recognized holidays, and bars permittees from transferring the permit. 050 a permit is valid for one year and may be reissued annually to permittees in good standing. 060 authorizes the Chief Financial Officer to issue administrative regulations covering the lottery process, application requirements, submission deadlines, per-business permit caps, and permit-use rules.

Violations & Fines

Parking outside the permitted hours, with more than the one vehicle tied to a permit, or after transferring a permit to another party violates Chapter 11-26 and is enforceable under the City's default Section 1-28.010 penalty: a misdemeanor, or an infraction fine of up to $250 for a first offense and $500 for a repeat offense within a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can get a Santa Rosa preferential parking permit?
Owners and employees of businesses located within 200 feet of the designated preferential parking area along 6th, 7th and 8th Streets near Wilson, provided the business holds a valid business tax certificate and space is available, per Sections 11-26.010 and 11-26.020.
How many vehicles does one permit cover?
Just one. Section 11-26.030 limits each permit to a single associated vehicle and bars permittees from parking any other vehicle under that permit.
Can I transfer my permit to someone else?
No. Section 11-26.030 states permits may not be transferred by permittees, so a new owner or employee must apply separately for their own permit.
How long does a permit last?
One year, and it may be reissued annually to permittees in good standing under Section 11-26.050, subject to the administrative regulations issued under Section 11-26.060.

Sources & Official References

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