Santa Ana, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- General storage limit
- 72 consecutive hours on any street or alley
- Inoperable-vehicle limit
- 12 hours if not lawfully operable
- Section
- Municipal Code § 36-136
- Tow authority
- Chief of police may remove violating vehicles
- One-way streets
- No parking on the left-hand side
Summary
Santa Ana caps on-street parking at 72 consecutive hours under Municipal Code § 36-136(b), and separately bars leaving an inoperable vehicle parked more than 12 hours or using a public street as a car lot. Vehicles violating either limit can be towed by the chief of police at the owner's expense.
No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of displaying such vehicle for sale. No person shall park, stop or leave standing any vehicle for a period of time longer than twelve (12) hours on any public street or highway in the city unless such vehicle is in a condition to be lawfully operated upon the public highways... No person who owns or has custody or control of any vehicle shall park or store such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours. The chief of police is authorized to remove any vehicle from the roadway if such vehicle is parked or stored in violation of this subsection (b).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Section 36-136, "Parking at certain places and for certain purposes prohibited," sets the baseline rules for everyday on-street parking. Subsection (a) bars using a public roadway to display a vehicle for sale and provides that "no person shall park, stop or leave standing any vehicle for a period of time longer than twelve (12) hours on any public street or highway in the city unless such vehicle is in a condition to be lawfully operated upon the public highways," while limiting roadside mechanical work to changing a flat tire or making emergency repairs needed to move the vehicle.
Subsection (b) is the general long-term limit: "No person who owns or has custody or control of any vehicle shall park or store such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours. " Subsection (c) separately bars parking "upon the left-hand side" of a one-way roadway with two or more separate roadways. Read together, the section gives Santa Ana Police Department clear, numeric triggers, 12 hours for an inoperable vehicle, 72 hours for any parked vehicle, before a tow is authorized.
Article IV's applicability clause, § 36-130, makes clear these local limits stack on top of, not instead of, any more restrictive state Vehicle Code parking rule. Violations that don't trigger towing are cited under the Code's general penalty, § 1-8.
Violations & Fines
Leaving an inoperable vehicle parked over 12 hours, storing any vehicle on a street or alley beyond 72 consecutive hours, or parking on the left side of a one-way roadway all violate § 36-136. The chief of police may tow under subsection (b); other violations are cited under the general penalty in § 1-8, up to $1,000 and/or six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I park on the street in Santa Ana?
Can I sell my car by parking it on the street with a for-sale sign?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Ana
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Street Parking Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle street parking limits.