Santa Monica, CA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Overnight ban hours
- 9 PM – 6 AM
- Vehicle width limit
- 8 feet
- Vehicle height limit
- 8 feet
- Vehicle length limit
- 20 feet
- Permits per residence
- 1 at a time
- Resident permit duration
- Up to 1 month
Summary
Trailers of any size and vehicles exceeding 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall, or 20 feet long are banned from all Santa Monica public streets and alleys between 9 PM and 6 AM unless the owner holds a City permit. This effectively prohibits overnight RV and boat-trailer street parking without authorization.
§ 3.12.860. Overnight parking of trailers and large vehicles. Between the hours of nine p.m. and six a.m. on any public street or alley in the City no person shall park any hitched or unhitched trailer of any size, or any vehicle of which any part of the vehicle, together with all fixtures, accessories or property with the exception of single post radio antennas, measures more than eight feet in width, or eight feet in height, or twenty feet in length, unless such person shall have a permit for such trailer or vehicle.
Full Breakdown
The restriction covers every public street and alley city-wide, not just residential areas. A permit is required and applications must be filed with the City; only one permit is allowed per residential address at a time. For Santa Monica residents, permits can cover up to one month for a vehicle registered to that address. Non-resident permits are capped at one consecutive seven-day period per month. The permitted vehicle must park within a two-block radius of the permit holder's residence.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a civil parking penalty (amount set by City resolution). Vehicles parked in violation may be towed and impounded; owner is responsible for towing and storage fees. After 72 consecutive hours an illegally parked vehicle may be removed by police under § 3.12.990.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV or boat trailer on a Santa Monica street overnight?
How do I get a permit to park my RV overnight?
Does the RV parking ban apply on private property too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
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