Title 11 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 11.44 Restricted or Prohibited Parking
Petaluma Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Petaluma
Cite as: Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 11.44 · Text as of 2026-10-04
11.44.010 Twelve and twenty-four minute parking.¶
The city traTc engineer may provide, in any green curb marking area, provision that there shall be no standing or
parking for a period of more than twelve minutes or for more than twenty-four minutes.
Green marking means no standing or parking for a period of time longer than twenty-four minutes at any time
between eight a.m. and six p.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays.
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer to be
necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle
adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign or parking meter in violation thereof.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS §1, 2005; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.11.)
11.44.020 Forty minute parking.¶
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer to be
necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle
between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer
than forty minutes.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS § l, 2005; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.1.)
11.44.030 One hour parking.¶
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer to be
necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle
between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer
than one hour.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS §1, 2005; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.11.2.)
11.44.031 Ninety minute parking.¶
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer, at the
direction of the city council, to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall
stop, stand or park such vehicle between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and
holidays, for a period of time longer than ninety minutes.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS §1, 2005; Ord. 1639 NCS §1, 1986.)
11.44.040 Two hour parking.¶
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer to be
necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle
between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer
than two hours.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS §1, 2005; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.3.)
11.44.050 Four hour parking.¶
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer to be
necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle
between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer
than four hours.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS §1, 2005; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.4.)
11.44.060 Ten hour parking.¶
When authorized signs, parking meters or curb markings have been determined by the city traTc engineer to be
necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle
between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer
than ten hours.
For purposes of this section, a vehicle will be deemed to have been stopped, parked or left standing for longer
than the time allowed in this section, if it has not been moved at least "Out of the Block Face" after the expiration
of the designated time zone. A Block Face is deRned as the block in which the vehicle is parked, bordered by an
intersection at each end. A vehicle may not return to the same block sooner than two hours following the
expiration of the initial time period. (Ord. 2204 NCS §1, 2005; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.5.)
11.44.070 Parallel parking on one-way streets.¶
A. Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be stopped or parked within eighteen inches
of the left-hand curb facing in the direction of traTc movement upon any one-way street unless signs are in place
prohibiting such stopping or standing.
B. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways and traTc is restricted to one direction upon
any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway
unless signs are in place permitting such standing or parking.
C. The city traTc engineer is authorized to determine when standing or parking shall be prohibited upon the
left-hand side of any one-way street or when standing on’ parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of
any one-way roadway of a highway having two or more separate roadways and shall erect signs giving notice
thereof.
D. The requirement of parallel parking imposed by this section shall not apply in the event any commercial
vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading freight or goods, in which case such vehicle may
be backed up to the curb; provided, that such vehicle does not extend beyond the centerline of the street and
does not block traTc thereby.
(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.6.)
11.44.080 Angle parking.¶
On any of the streets or portions of streets established by the traTc committee as diagonal parking zones, when
signs or pavement markings are in place indicating such diagonal parking, it is unlawful for the operator of any
vehicle to park such vehicle except:
A. At the angle to the curb indicated by signs or pavement markings allotting space to parked vehicles and
entirely within the limits of such allotted space;
B. With the front wheel nearest the curb within six inches of such curb.
The provisions of this section shall not apply when such vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or
unloading passengers, freight or goods, in which event the provisions applicable in Section 11.44.070 shall be
complied with.
(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.7.)
11.44.090 Markings to indicate parking spaces.¶
The city traTc engineer is authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking spaces
adjacent to curbings where authorized parking is permitted.
When such parking space markings are placed on the highway, subject to other and more restrictive limitations,
no vehicle shall be stopped, left standing or parked other than within a single space unless the size or shape of
such vehicle makes compliance impossible. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.8.)
11.44.100 No stopping zones.¶
The city traTc engineer shall designate established no stopping zones by placing and maintaining appropriate
signs indicating that stopping of vehicles is prohibited and indicating the hours and days when stopping is
prohibited. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.9.)
11.44.110 All night parking.¶
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on any street for a period of time longer than thirty minutes between
the hours of three-thirty a.m. and Rve-thirty a.m. of any day in the central traTc district; provided, that this section
shall not apply to a vehicle of any regularly licensed physician when actually engaged in making professional calls.
(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.11.10.)
11.44.120 Parking commercial vehicles in residential districts.¶
No person shall park any commercial vehicle in any residential district except:
A. While loading or unloading property for such time as is reasonably necessary; or
B. When such vehicle is parked in connection with, and in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a
property in the block in which such vehicle is parked for such time as is reasonably necessary to complete such
service.
C. For the purpose of this section, "commercial vehicle" shall not mean station wagons or three-fourths ton (or
less) pickup trucks.
(Ord. 975 NCS §l; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.11.11.)
11.44.130 Permit parking areas.¶
The city may designate oU-street parking lots it owns or operates as permit parking lots. When so designated by
the posting of appropriate signs thereon, no person shall stop, stand or park a motor vehicle therein except in
compliance with the permit requirements and regulations established for the lots. (Ord. 1452 NCS §1, 1981.)
11.44.140 Residential permit parking areas.¶
The city council may establish, by resolution, residential permit parking areas to provide adequate on-street
parking in certain areas or where time zones are in eUect. When so designated by the posting of appropriate signs
thereon, no person shall stop, stand, or park in a motor vehicle upon such street except in compliance with the
permit requirements and regulations established for such areas. (Ord. 1944 NCS §1, 1993.)
11.44.160 Special permits for use of parking spaces.¶
A. Construction Parking Permits. Any person who is engaged in construction or repair work on a building or in a
street in a parking zone designated as provided in Sections 11.44.030 through 11.44.060, and who will require for
such work a vehicle be used for tools or equipment stored in or Rxed on such vehicle, may apply to the Rnance
department for a permit to park such vehicle in such parking zone during the time actually engaged in such
construction or repair work. The permit shall be issued for a maximum of thirty days at a time and may be
renewed. A daily fee shall be set by resolution of the city council.
B. Reserved Parking Permits. Reserved parking permits may be obtained for all-day parking facilities or portions
thereof, as are designated by resolution for permit parking. Any person may apply to the Rnance department for
such a permit, which shall be issued for a set period and a fee which shall be set by resolution of the city council.
C. Residential Parking Permits. Persons who have as their primary residence a house or apartment located in the
Parking Meter Zones, as deRned in Section 11.56.010 of Chapter 11.56 and have no oU-street parking available,
may obtain an annual parking permit from the Rnance department when such person provides adequate proof of
residence. A fee for each permit shall be set by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 2036 NCS §2.)
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