Stockton, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Street storage limit
- 72 consecutive hours (§ 10.04.600)
- Enforcement
- Tow under Ch. 10.16, Art. I
- Minimum roadway width to park
- 20 feet required
- Alley clearance required
- 10 feet of roadway open
- Base rule
- § 10.04.570 applies at all times
Summary
Stockton bars leaving any vehicle parked on a City street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours under SMC § 10.04.600, and general standing/stopping/parking rules in § 10.04.570 apply at all times unless a specific exception says otherwise. Overstaying triggers removal under Chapter 10.16 and citation by police or parking enforcement officers.
§ 10.04.570. Standing, stopping or parking. A. Application of Regulations. The provisions of this code prohibiting, the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified except when necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device. ... § 10.04.600. Use of streets for storage of vehicles prohibited. A. No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a period of 72 consecutive hours. In the event a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a street in excess of a period of 72 consecutive hours such vehicle may be removed in the manner and subject to the requirements of Article I of Chapter 10.16.
Full Breakdown
570 sets the baseline: every rule in the code prohibiting stopping, standing or parking applies at all times, or during the specific hours stated, except when a driver must stop to avoid a traffic conflict or follow a police officer's or traffic-control device's direction, and none of these local time limits excuse a driver from tougher State Vehicle Code parking restrictions. 16, Article I. Police officers, and parking enforcement officers, may issue a State Vehicle Code citation whenever they have reasonable cause to believe the 72-hour rule was violated in their presence. 610). 740). 760).
Violations & Fines
Leaving a vehicle on a Stockton street or alley beyond 72 consecutive hours violates SMC § 10.04.600 and exposes the vehicle to towing under Chapter 10.16 in addition to a citation. Most on-street parking violations in Title 10, including narrow-street and driveway-blocking violations, are infractions under § 1.08.010(D): up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a repeat within a year, and up to $500 for each further violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave my car parked on a Stockton street?
Can I park on a narrow residential street in Stockton?
Is it illegal to block a driveway when parking on the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stockton
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Street Parking Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle street parking limits.