Placer County, CA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Snow-route parking is the strictest seasonal parking rule in unincorporated Placer County. Under Placer County Code Chapter 10, Article 10.12, Part 1 (Snow Area Parking), it is unlawful to park on any public roadway, or on the shoulders of the roadway, in the eastern part of the county lying east of a north-south line two miles west of the dividing line between Range 11E and Range 12E, during the period commencing November 1 of each year and continuing to the following May 1, except in areas specifically designated by signs to permit parking. This area covers North Lake Tahoe, Serene Lakes, Olympic Valley (Squaw/Palisades), Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, and Kings Beach. The stated purpose is to let the Placer County Department of Public Works and Caltrans remove snow quickly and prevent hazards. The code also provides that no person shall park on the roadway side of a row of snowstakes installed to guide snow-removal equipment, except in signed areas, and warns that since snow is removed to the stakes, the outside edge of a berm should not be assumed to be the edge of the roadway. The Board of Supervisors set fines (effective Nov 30, 2023) at $150 for a first offense, $250 second, and $450 third and subsequent for unauthorized parking on a county roadway in the snow area (Code 10.12.020(B)); blocking vehicular traffic flow in the snow area (Code 10.12.030(B)) carries the same $150/$250/$450 schedule. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed and towed.