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Santa Maria, CA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

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

Key Facts

Long-Vehicle Threshold
Over 22 feet (Section 7-5.17)
Long-Vehicle Sign Spacing
Max 165 feet apart
Street Parking Limit
72 consecutive hours
Front-Yard Setback Rule
Paved driveway only; max 50% area/frontage
Required Screening
6-foot solid fence or wall
Penalty
Misdemeanor (Section 1-6.01)
Code Citation
SMMC 7-5.17 & 12-32.27

Summary

Santa Maria's 72-hour limit and Section 7-5.17 (Long Vehicles) restrict RV, boat, and trailer parking on streets, while Section 12-32.27 prohibits parking any vehicle in the front yard or street-side yard setback except on a paved driveway. Maximum 50% of front-yard area or frontage may be paved for parking.

No landowner, tenant, vehicle owner, vehicle operator or property manager shall park, or allow to be parked, any vehicle, as defined by the California Vehicle Code, in the front yard setback or corner side yard setback of a property with a residential use except on a driveway with paving, or upon another area with paving or behind a solid fence or wall a minimum of six (6) feet in height. No more than fifty percent (50%) of the area and fifty percent (50%) of the frontage of the existing front yard setback or corner side yard setback may be paved or used for such parking. Driveways shall be accessed from a public or private street only through a City standard driveway approach. Vehicles shall not be parked on any parkway, or private or public sidewalk, or any public easement established and used for landscape or pedestrian purposes. The violation of this section is a misdemeanor as set forth in Section 1-6.01 of this Code.

Source: Santa Maria Codes and DocumentsView official code

Full Breakdown

RVs, boats, and trailers in Santa Maria face two separate regimes. On public streets, the citywide 72-hour limit in Chapter 7-5 applies the same as for any other vehicle. 17 (Long Vehicles) authorizes the City Council to designate streets where parking by any vehicle whose overall length exceeds 22 feet is prohibited; signs must be posted at intervals of not more than 165 feet. Most full-size travel trailers, fifth-wheels, and motorhomes exceed 22 feet and are barred from any signed long-vehicle-restricted street. On private residential property, Title 12, Chapter 32 controls.

27 (Parking in front yard setback and/or street side yard setback) prohibits any landowner, tenant, vehicle owner, vehicle operator or property manager from parking, or allowing to be parked, any vehicle as defined by the California Vehicle Code in the front yard setback or corner side yard setback of a property with a residential use except on a driveway with paving, or upon another area with paving or behind a solid fence or wall a minimum of six feet in height. The Code caps paved parking area: no more than 50% of the area and 50% of the frontage of the existing front yard setback or corner side yard setback may be paved or used for such parking.

Driveways must be accessed through a City standard driveway approach, and vehicles cannot be parked on any parkway, sidewalk, or landscape/pedestrian easement. 01. RVs and boats stored visibly in front yards beyond the paved driveway therefore violate the Code; storage behind a side gate or in the rear yard is the standard solution.

Violations & Fines

Section 12-32.27(c) declares that violation of the front-yard setback parking restriction is a misdemeanor as set forth in Section 1-6.01 of the Code. On streets, RVs over 22 feet on signed long-vehicle streets are cited under Section 7-5.17; any RV parked over 72 hours in one location is subject to citation and tow under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k). Repeat violations may be referred to Code Enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park my motorhome in my Santa Maria driveway?
Yes, but only on a properly paved driveway accessed through a City-standard driveway approach. Section 12-32.27 prohibits parking any vehicle in the front yard or corner street-side yard setback except on paving (or behind a 6-foot solid fence/wall). No more than 50% of the front-yard area or frontage can be paved for parking. Violation is a misdemeanor.
Can I park my RV or boat on the street in front of my house?
Only for short periods. The citywide 72-hour rule applies to any vehicle on any Santa Maria street. If your street is posted under Section 7-5.17 (Long Vehicles), no vehicle over 22 feet may park there at all - and most full-size RVs exceed 22 feet. Look for posted signs and reset the location every 72 hours.
Can I store my boat or RV on the lawn or in the side yard?
Not on the lawn or in the front-yard or corner-side-yard setback - those locations must be paved driveway or behind a 6-foot solid wall/fence. The rear yard or a properly screened side yard outside the required setbacks is the typical legal storage location. Confirm with Santa Maria Community Development before installing screening.

Sources & Official References

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