Santa Clara County, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Parking on public roads in the unincorporated county is regulated by Title B, Division B12 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Chapter III ('Stopping, Standing and Parking') of the County Ordinance Code, supplemented by the California Vehicle Code. Where no sign, curb marking, or posted restriction applies, vehicles may generally park at the curb. The County controls where parking is restricted through painted curbs and posted signs. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21458, which the County follows, a red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking; a yellow curb is for loading freight or passengers during posted hours; a white curb is for brief passenger loading or mail deposit; a green curb means time-limited parking set by local ordinance; and a blue curb is reserved for vehicles displaying disabled-person or disabled-veteran plates or placards. The County also operates a Residential Permit Parking program on certain unincorporated roads where posted time limits apply but permit-holders may park without limit. A vehicle left parked on a highway in unincorporated territory for 72 or more consecutive hours may be removed by the California Highway Patrol or the Sheriff under the Vehicle Code. For County-maintained roads, the Roads and Airports Department and the Sheriff's Office handle parking enforcement; report problems to the Sheriff at (408) 299-2311.