Huntington Beach Street Parking Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Huntington Beach regulates on-street parking under Municipal Code Chapter 10.40 and the California Vehicle Code. All vehicles parked on public streets must be moved at least once every 72 hours. Vehicles that remain stationary beyond this period may be cited as abandoned and towed under California Vehicle Code Section 22669. The 72-hour limit applies to all city streets, including residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.

Street sweeping is enforced throughout Huntington Beach, with posted signs indicating restricted days and times. Vehicles parked in violation of posted street sweeping signs receive parking citations. Schedules vary by neighborhood, and residents should check the posted signs on their specific block.

The coastal zone presents unique parking challenges for Huntington Beach. Streets near Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Main Street, the Huntington Beach Pier, and popular beach access points feature metered parking with time limits typically ranging from one to four hours. During summer months, holiday weekends, and major surf events such as the US Open of Surfing, enforcement is heightened and meters are in effect seven days a week. Parking demand near the coast often exceeds supply, and vehicles parked beyond the meter time or without payment receive citations.

Certain residential streets in Huntington Beach, particularly those near the coast and downtown, have posted overnight parking restrictions prohibiting parking between 2 AM and 6 AM. These restrictions were established to prevent non-residents from using residential streets as overnight beach-area parking. Residents on these streets may obtain overnight parking permits from the Huntington Beach Police Department. Standard California Vehicle Code rules also apply: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in red-curb zones, on sidewalks, in crosswalks, or blocking driveways.