Orange County, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Orange County's property-maintenance code (Title 3, Division 13) regulates vehicles on private property, but on-street parking on public roads is controlled chiefly by the California Vehicle Code, enforced by the OC Sheriff's Department in the unincorporated areas. CVC 22507 authorizes local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, to prohibit or restrict the stopping, parking, or standing of vehicles on streets, including vehicles six feet or more in height within 100 feet of an intersection, but such restrictions generally do not apply until signs or markings giving adequate notice are posted. Statewide, Assembly Bill 413 (effective January 2024) prohibits parking within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or intersection - a rule known as 'daylighting' - which applies on county roads regardless of whether a curb is painted red. CVC 21458 defines curb colors used by local authorities: red means no stopping, standing, or parking; yellow is for loading; white is for passenger loading; green is time-limited parking set by local ordinance. Because rules vary block by block based on posted signs and curb paint, drivers in unincorporated communities should check for signage; absent a posted restriction, parking is allowed subject to the Vehicle Code (for example the 72-hour limit discussed under overnight parking).