Boca Raton, FL Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 16-31
- Legal parking distance
- Within 12 inches of curb, parallel
- Citation fine due
- 15 calendar days (§ 16-36)
- Booting trigger
- 3+ unpaid citations (§ 16-37)
- Boot-to-tow
- After 48 hours unremoved
- Appeal window
- 15 days citation, 3 days boot/tow
Summary
Boca Raton defines a legally parked vehicle as one whose curbside tires sit within 12 inches of the curb, doesn't overhang the adjacent space, doesn't block the driving aisle, and hasn't exceeded the posted time limit or unpaid meter fees. Break any of those and the vehicle is illegally parked and subject to a citation, fines due within 15 days, and eventually booting or towing for repeat unpaid tickets.
"Illegally parked" shall mean a vehicle that is not properly parked within a designated parking space by exceeding a distance of 12 inches from the curb if parallel parked, overhanging the lines designating the adjacent parking space, impeding the adjacent driving aisle, exceeding the posted time limit, and/or failing to pay all applicable parking fees. ... "Legally parked" shall mean a vehicle that is properly parked within a designated parking space. The tires of the passenger side of the vehicle, if parallel parked, shall be within 12 inches from the curb. No portion of the vehicle shall overhang the lines designating the adjacent parking space. For angled parking, the vehicle shall be pulled forward as far as possible and in no way impede the adjacent driving aisle. The vehicle shall not overhang the adjacent parking lines designating the parking space. The vehicle shall not exceed the posted time limit in the designated parking space, and shall have paid all applicable parking fees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 16-31 defines what counts as legally versus illegally parked on Boca Raton streets. A vehicle is illegally parked if it exceeds 12 inches from the curb when parallel parked, overhangs the lines of the adjacent space, impedes the adjacent driving aisle, exceeds the posted time limit, or hasn't paid applicable parking fees; a legally parked vehicle meets none of those and, for angled parking, must be pulled forward as far as possible without overhanging lines or blocking the aisle. Under § 16-35, a duly authorized city representative can affix a parking citation to any vehicle found illegally parked or in overtime parking, and a working meter showing no time remaining is presumptive evidence of overtime parking.
35. Section 16-37 lets the city boot a vehicle with 3 or more unpaid, uncontested citations after mailed notice, and tow it if the boot remains on for more than 48 hours. Section 16-41 gives an appellant 15 days from a citation, or 3 days from a boot or tow, to appeal to the special magistrate.
Violations & Fines
An illegally parked or overtime-parked vehicle can be cited on the spot by a duly authorized city representative under § 16-35. Citation fines must be paid within 15 calendar days under § 16-36 or a late penalty is added; three or more unpaid citations trigger booting under § 16-37, and a boot left on more than 48 hours converts to a tow. Appeals go to the special magistrate within 15 days of a citation or 3 days of a boot or tow (§ 16-41).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a car illegally parked in Boca Raton?
How long do I have to pay a Boca Raton parking ticket?
Can Boca Raton boot or tow my car for parking tickets?
How do I appeal a parking citation in Boca Raton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boca Raton
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How other cities in Palm Beach County handle street parking limits.