Santa Maria, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Santa Maria's principal on-street parking rule is the 72-hour limit codified in Title 7 (Traffic Regulations), Chapter 7-5 (Stopping, Standing and Parking). The Code states that no person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle in one location on any street or alley, or City-owned property (including City parks and parking structures), within the corporate limits of the City for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours. "That location" is defined by reference to a chalk-mark placed on the tire of the vehicle by an authorized City representative: the area is described by a circle with a radius of 75 feet, with its center being the chalk marking. In other words, the 72-hour clock does not reset simply by rolling the vehicle a few feet - it must be moved beyond a 75-foot radius. When the limit is exceeded, any Police Department member authorized by the Chief of Police or any City Ranger authorized by the Director of Recreation and Parks may remove the vehicle. Code Enforcement directs residents to report long-term street parkers to the Santa Maria Police Department abandoned-vehicle hotline at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2956. The 72-hour rule is independent of, and on top of, posted time-limit zones (Section 7-5.14) and Title 7's specific prohibitions on parking by curb color (Section 7-5.02).