Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

San Mateo County, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Who sets limits
Board of Supervisors
Trigger
Posted signs or curb markings
Repeat violation window
1 hour after citation, if unposted
Scope
Unincorporated County roads only

Summary

County-posted signs and curb markings set stopping, standing and parking limits on unincorporated San Mateo County streets.

City-specific rules exist: Daly City, Redwood City, and San Mateo have their own street parking limits rules that differ from San Mateo County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

The Board of Supervisors shall designate such stopping, standing or parking restrictions or prohibitions as may be necessary, and shall designate said restrictions or prohibitions on such streets, portions of streets or County-owned property by appropriate signs or markings giving effect to such parking, stopping or standing restrictions or prohibitions. When authorized signs and/or curb markings are in place giving notice of such prohibition or limitation, no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in violation of such signs and/or curb markings. Whenever the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle has been prohibited, restricted or limited as to time by an ordinance or resolution, the continued standing or parking of such vehicle after a citation therefor has been issued constitutes a separate and additional violation of the provisions for which the citation was issued when such standing or parking continues for an additional period longer than the maximum permissible period of parking in such space or location after issuance of such citation, or if no such period of time is designated, when such stopping, standing or parking after a citation therefor continues for an additional period longer than one hour.

(Prior code § 3731.0; Ord. 850, 07/21/49; Ord. 3234, 06/19/90; Ord. 4195, 10/21/03; Ord. 4268, 07/12/05)

Source: SMC Title 7 Vehicles & TrafficView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).

Full Breakdown

Ordinance Code § 7.28.010 lets the Board of Supervisors designate stopping, standing and parking restrictions on unincorporated County streets, marked by signs or curb paint. Once signs or curb markings are posted, parking in violation of them is prohibited, and letting a cited vehicle continue standing past the posted time limit (or one hour if no limit is posted) is a separate, additional violation. Applies only to County-maintained roads outside the 20 incorporated cities.

Violations & Fines

Parking against posted signs/markings, or leaving a cited vehicle beyond the time limit, is a separate additional violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is unposted street parking restricted in unincorporated San Mateo County?
No. § 7.28.010 restrictions only apply once the County posts signs or curb markings.
What happens if I leave a cited car parked too long?
It becomes a separate additional violation once it exceeds the posted limit, or one hour with no posted limit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Mateo County

All San Mateo County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California parking rules overview

Get notified when Street Parking Limits in San Mateo County, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Street Parking Limits in Cities Across San Mateo County