Sacramento Municipal Code Ch. 10.36 Stopping, Standing and Parking

The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or an official traffic control device.

The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code, this code or other ordinances of the city prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times. (Prior code § 25.07.100)

When signs are erected giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle at any time upon any of the streets described in resolutions duly adopted by the city council. (Prior code § 25.07.101)

The city traffic engineer shall sign or mark as deemed necessary in regard to time or location the following places and, when so signed or marked, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any such places:

A. Upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed twenty (20) feet, or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs or markings, when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty (30) feet.

B. Upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in the city traffic engineer's opinion interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.

C. At any place where it is necessary for the city to use the public street for construction, maintenance, repair, cleaning, tree spraying or any other city public service or safety use.

D. At any place where the city traffic engineer, based upon traffic engineering principles and investigations, determines that signs and markings are necessary to facilitate the movement of traffic or eliminate a traffic hazard for a distance not to exceed one-half city block. (Prior code § 25.07.102)

A. When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park on the days indicated on such signs, between the hours specified on such signs or upon any of the streets described in resolutions duly adopted by the city council.

B. When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park any taxicab on the days indicated on such signs, between the hours specified on such signs, or upon any of the streets described in resolutions duly adopted by the city council. (Ord. 2002-030 § 1; prior code § 25.07.103)

No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principle purpose of:

A. Displaying such vehicle for sale, rent or lease;

B. Maintaining, lubricating or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency. (Prior code § 25.07.104)

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle either attended or unattended:

A. Within any parkway;

B. Upon any roadway not bounded by adjacent curbs when less than twelve (12) feet of unobstructed roadway width remains between the center line of the roadway or the outside designated lane of a multilaned roadway and the left edge of the vehicle. In every event, a clear view of the stopped vehicle shall be available from a distance of two hundred (200) feet in each direction upon the highway. This subsection shall not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled in such a manner and to such an extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled vehicle on the highway. (Prior code § 25.07.105)

In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways and traffic 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.

The city traffic engineer may determine when stopping, standing or parking shall 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. (Prior code § 25.07.106)

A. Any regularly employed and salaried officer of the police department of the city or any regularly employed and salaried employee of the city who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of the city may remove or cause to be removed:

1. Any vehicle that has been parked or left standing on a street or highway for seventy-two (72) or more consecutive hours.

2. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway when such parking or standing is prohibited by resolution of this city and signs are posted giving notice of such removal.

3. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway where the use of such street or highway or a portion thereof is necessary for the cleaning, repair or construction of the street or highway or for the installation of underground utilities or the trimming or spraying of street trees or any other public service or safety use or where the use of the street or highway or any portion thereof is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic or where the use of the street or highway or any portion thereof is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size and the parking of such vehicles would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided, that signs giving notice that such vehicles may be removed are erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to their removal.

4. Any unattended vehicle which is found upon a highway with a registration expiration date in excess of one year before the date it is found on the highway. For purposes of this subdivision, the unattended vehicle shall be released to the owner or person in control of the vehicle only after the owner or person furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current registration. In lieu of obtaining proof of current registration, the storing agency may, in its discretion, issue a notice to appear for the registration violation.

5. Any vehicle under any of the circumstances described in Section 22651 of the California Vehicle Code.

6. Any vehicle, structure, trailer, semitrailer, or equipment-defined by California Vehicle Code Section 225 ("auxiliary dolly"), 242 ("camp trailer"), 243 ("camper"), 245 ("carry-all"), 324 ("fifth-wheel travel trailer"), 475 ("pole or pipe dolly"), 550 ("semitrailer"), 617 ("tow dolly"), 630 ("trailer"), 635 ("trailer coach"), 636 ("trailer bus"), 655 ("truck tractor"), or 667 ("utility trailer")-that is parked or left standing on a street or highway and is either unattached to a motor vehicle or attached to a motor vehicle that may be removed pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22669(d). This subsection does not apply when the vehicle, structure, trailer, semitrailer, or equipment is parked and unattached to a motor vehicle for the limited purpose of loading, unloading, cleaning, or routine maintenance for less than four hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period.

B. In addition to, or as an alternative to removal of vehicles, any regularly employed and salaried officer of the police department of the city or any regularly employed and salaried employee of the city who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of the city may immobilize any vehicles under the requirements set forth in Section 22651.7 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles with parking violations outstanding, as provided in Section 22651.7. An administrative fee or fees for such immobilization may be established by resolution of the city council. Any vehicle immobilized as set forth herein shall remain immobilized until the conditions set forth in Section 22651.7 are met, and all applicable administrative fees are paid to the city.

C. Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty specified in the resolution adopted by the city council pursuant to Section 10.56.010 of this title. (Ord. 2014-0038 § 1; prior code § 25.07.107)

It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle to permit it to stand unattended in any public place, or any used or new car lot, or private or public parking lot, without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition and removing the ignition key from the vehicle.

The registered owner of a vehicle found in violation of this section shall be held prima facie responsible for any such violation. (Prior code § 25.07.108)

When authorized signs have been placed by the parking manager giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in a business district or on street designated by resolutions during the days and hours indicated on such signs for a period of time longer than specified on such signs. (Prior code § 25.07.109)

The owner or operator of any motor vehicle exercising the privilege of parking said vehicle on any street where regulations restrict the length of time vehicles may be parked does so on the condition that police officers or parking enforcement officers of the city may place chalk or other removable marks on said vehicle for the purpose of enforcing parking restrictions.

While the vehicle remains parked on the street, no person shall erase, rub out, or otherwise remove any chalk or other control measures placed by a police officer or a parking enforcement officer. (Ord. 2025-0019 § 2; prior code § 25.07.110)

A. No person shall park or leave standing any commercial vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or more on any street within a residential district indicated in subsection C of this section.

B. This section shall not apply to the parking of a commercial vehicle in a residential district where such vehicle is making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure located on the restricted streets or highways or for the purpose of delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure upon the restricted streets or highways for which a building permit has previously been obtained.

C. For the purpose of this section, "residential district" is defined to include all areas to which any one of the following zoning classifications is applicable: R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A, R-2B, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-4A, R-5, RMX, R-O, all street frontages contiguous to schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, and all areas which satisfy the definition of "residence district" set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 515. (Ord. 2003-081 § 1; prior code § 25.07.111)

The parking manager may place and when required by this title shall place the following curb markings to indicate parking or standing regulations. Such curb markings shall have the following meanings:

A. Red means no stopping, standing or parking at any time, except, as permitted by the Vehicle Code; and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.

B. Yellow means no stopping, standing or parking during the days and hours indicated on appropriate signs or markings for any purpose other than the loading and unloading of passengers or materials; provided that the loading or unloading of materials or passengers shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefor and in no event exceed the time limits as follows:

1. Commercial vehicles stopping, standing or parking in any yellow zone for the purpose of loading and unloading of materials shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes and during such time no person shall leave any such commercial vehicle unattended for more than ten (10) minutes unless there is visual evidence of loading or unloading occurring;

2. Noncommercial vehicles stopping, standing or parking in any yellow zone shall be limited to five minutes and during such time no person shall leave any such vehicle unattended.

C. White means no stopping, standing, or parking, except for loading or unloading passengers for a period not to exceed five minutes or the time limit stated on official signs or markings, which may not exceed 15 minutes. These restrictions apply:

• 1. At all times when the zone is in front of a hotel.
• 2. When the zone is in front of a building other than a hotel and the building is open.
• 3. During the times indicated by official signs.

D. Green means no standing or parking for longer than fifteen (15) minutes or such shorter period as may be designated during the days and hours specified on appropriate signs or markings.

E. Blue means an area designated for the parking of vehicles with special license plates or other official designation issued to physically handicapped persons.

When the parking manager as authorized under this title, has caused curb markings or signs to be placed, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation of any of the provisions of this title. (Ord. 2019-0009 § 1; prior code § 25.07.112)

A. The parking manager or designee may issue temporary construction parking permits to licensed contractors engaged in minor construction or repair work authorizing the parking of commercial vehicles as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 260 in metered and time-limited spaces notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 10.36.100 and 10.40.090. Temporary construction parking permits shall be effective for the time stated in the temporary construction parking permit. The parking manager or designee may issue temporary construction parking permits on terms and conditions as the parking manager or designee determines necessary. Temporary construction parking permits may be revoked without cause and without notice in the sole discretion of the parking manager or designee.

B. No temporary construction parking permit shall be issued without payment of a monthly fee as established by resolution of the city council.

C. The temporary construction parking permit shall be displayed on the vehicle dashboard so that it is visible from outside the vehicle. A legibly written or printed notice identifying the address where the work is being performed shall be displayed on the vehicle dashboard so that it is visible from outside the vehicle.

D. Failure to display the temporary construction parking permit in the manner prescribed in subsection C of this section or failure to display a notice identifying the address where the work is being performed in the manner prescribed in subsection C of this section shall make the parked vehicle subject to Section 10.36.100 and Section 10.40.090. (Ord. 2006-049 § 2; prior code § 25.07.113)

The city traffic engineer is authorized to establish bus zones opposite curb space for the loading and unloading of buses or common carriers of passengers and to determine the location and size thereof. (Prior code § 25.07.114)

Upon agreement between regional transit or other transit system authorized according to law to operate as a common carrier within the city and a public school district, school buses owned by or operated under contract for such

public school district may stop for the loading or unloading of passengers alongside any or all curb spaces designated for the loading or unloading of passengers of the transit system buses as provided in Vehicle Code Section 22500.5. (Prior code § 25.07.114-1)

The parking manager is authorized to establish taxicab zones on public streets. No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in a taxicab zone except a taxicab immediately available for hire. (Ord. 2010-028 § 4; prior code § 25.07.115)

The parking manager may establish police vehicle zones adjacent to police facilities.

When signs are posted indicating the space adjacent to the curb is for the parking of police vehicles only, then no other vehicle except a police vehicle may occupy such zone. (Prior code § 25.07.116)

The parking manager shall mark off individual parking spaces wherever parking meters are in place and at other locations where they are necessary to promote orderly parking. Such parking spaces shall be designated by lines painted and durably marked on the surface of the street.

No person shall park any vehicle across any line or marking or a parking space or in such a position that the vehicle shall not be entirely within the area designated by such lines or markings, except that oversize vehicles and vehicles with trailers may occupy two spaces. (Prior code § 25.07.117)

It is unlawful for any person other than the parking manager or his or her designated representatives to place or maintain paint or other material upon any curb in the city in a manner which purports to be, or is, an imitation of or resembles official indication of parking regulations. (Prior code § 25.07.118)

Permission granted in this title to stop, stand or park in alleys is restricted to accommodate the necessary commercial loading and unloading of materials for adjacent buildings without impeding traffic circulation and emergency access through alleys.

The total time limits specified in the provisions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting abuse of the privileges granted herein.

Commercial vehicles stopping, standing or parking in any alley for the purpose of loading or unloading of materials shall not park beyond the time necessary therefor and in no event for more than thirty (30) minutes.

No person shall leave any such commercial vehicle unattended in any alley for more than ten (10) minutes unless there is visual evidence of loading and unloading occurring.

Noncommercial vehicles without delivery permits stopping, standing or parking in any alley shall be limited to five minutes and during such time no person shall leave any such vehicle unattended.

Where the parking manager has restricted loading to one side of an alley and signs giving notice of the restrictions are in place, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on the opposite side. Nor shall any person stop, stand or park a vehicle in any alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten (10) feet of width of the roadway for the free movement of vehicular traffic. No person shall stop, stand or park within an alley in such a position as to block the ingress and egress to any abutting property. (Prior code § 25.07.119)

Emergency parking permits and delivery permits are only effective when used in alleys. A passenger car with a delivery permit shall be considered the same as a commercial vehicle when parked in an alley. A commercial vehicle with an emergency parking permit is exempt from the time limits imposed on commercial loading in alleys. All such permits shall be issued at the discretion of the parking manager or his authorized representative as follows:

A. Emergency parking permits shall be restricted to commercial vehicles that are used and equipped for physical repair work and are permanently fitted with pertinent tools, materials or equipment. Any person parked while using an emergency parking permit shall prominently display a legible written or printed notice in the front window indicating the place where such service is being performed.

A vehicle with an emergency parking permit may be parked in an alley until the driver's job or work is finished, but is subject to all other alley parking regulations.

B. Delivery permits shall be issued to passenger cars which are used for routine pickup and delivery services.

A passenger car with a delivery permit may be parked in an alley while the driver is actually engaged in picking up or making deliveries. All such vehicles shall have the same rights and be subject to the same restrictions as a commercial vehicle when parked in an alley.

C. Upon establishment to the satisfaction of the parking manager that the applicant qualifies under subsections A and B of this section and the payment of the permit fee as established by resolution of the city council, an emergency parking permit or a delivery permit in the form of a gummed sticker will be issued by the parking manager or his or her authorized representative. Such permit shall be issued for the fiscal year beginning July 1st and ending June 30th or any part thereof. The gummed sticker shall be affixed to the lower right hand corner of the windshield of the vehicle to which it is issued. (Prior code § 25.07.120)

Emergency parking permits or delivery permits may be revoked by the parking manager at any time for cause. Written notice of intention to terminate must be given by the parking manager at least ten (10) days prior to termination thereof, giving his or her reasons therefor. A permit, once terminated for cause, shall not be reissued by the parking manager until after the period of at least one year. (Prior code § 25.07.121)

The parking manager is authorized to determine and to mark a construction zone area. No person shall park a vehicle in a marked construction zone without first obtaining a permit from the parking manager and prominently displaying such permit in the windshield of the vehicle.

The parking manager may issue construction zone parking permits in numbers equal to the number of parking spaces in a construction zone. The parking manager may condition such permits as deemed necessary to insure the maximum public use of the street. Such permits shall be revocable at any time by the parking manager.

Whenever any construction zone parking permit is granted, no person shall use the permit for any location other than as designated on the permit. All permits shall designate the specific location for which the permit is valid. All construction zone permits shall remain property of the city and shall be surrendered upon demand to the parking manager or authorized representative. (Prior code § 25.07.122)

No person or construction contractor shall initiate any construction project adjacent to city parking meters without first making payment of fees, as established by resolution of the city council, for removal of said parking meters, except that during the period with such parking meter space is rendered unusable due to construction, reconstruction or maintenance of the street, curb, gutter and sidewalk, no fees shall be collected. (Prior code § 25.07.122-1)

These fees are established in addition to those fees shown in other sections of this title. (Prior code § 25.07.122-3)

Upon notification from the general manager of the Community Center that an event is scheduled that requires special parking privileges, the parking manager is authorized to temporarily mark any of the following locations as a zone where parking is allowed by permit only: south side of I Street between 15th and 16th Streets; the indented portion of the south side of J Street between 13th and 14th Streets; and the west side of 14th Street between J and L Streets. The parking manager may for good cause issue community center parking permits in numbers equal to the number of parking spaces in a community center parking zone. He or she may condition such permits as he or she deems necessary to insure the maximum public use of the street. Such permits shall be revocable at any time by the parking manager.

No person shall park a vehicle in a marked Community Center parking zone without first obtaining a permit from the parking manager and prominently displaying such permit in the windshield of the vehicle.

Whenever any Community Center parking permit is granted, no person shall use such permit for any location or time other than as designated on the permit. All such permits shall designate the specific location, date and time for which the permit is valid. All Community Center parking zone permits shall remain the property of the city and shall be surrendered upon demand to the parking manager or his or her authorized representative. (Prior code § 25.07.123)

When markings have been placed on the pavement indicating angle parking, no person shall park any vehicle contrary to such markings on any street described in a resolution adopted by the city council. (Prior code § 25.07.124)

The provisions of this title regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a city department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work. (Prior code § 25.07.125)

Permission granted in this section to stop, stand or park on streets in Old Sacramento is restricted to accommodate the necessary commercial and noncommercial loading and unloading of materials and passengers between the hours of eight a.m. to six p.m. The total time limits specified in the provisions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting abuse of the privileges granted herein.

Commercial vehicles stopping, standing or parking on any street for the purpose of loading or unloading of materials shall not park beyond the time necessary therefor and in no event for more than thirty (30) minutes. No person shall leave any commercial vehicle unattended on any street for more than ten (10) minutes unless there is visual evidence of loading and unloading occurring.

Noncommercial vehicles stopping, standing or parking on any street shall be limited to ten (10) minutes for the purpose of loading or unloading materials and passengers.

The provisions of this section shall be effective when signs are erected giving notice thereof on those streets described in resolutions duly adopted by the city council. (Prior code § 25.07.126)

The parking manager is authorized to determine and to mark tour bus zones as follows:

A. Tour Bus Parking Zones. Tour bus parking zones shall be established adjacent or in the vicinity of tourist attractions. The parking manager may issue nontransferable monthly tour bus parking zone permits for tour bus drivers who are also tour guides. The parking manager may condition such permits, as deemed necessary, to ensure the maximum public use of the streets in the vicinity of tourist attractions. Whenever any tour bus parking zone permit is granted, no person shall use the permit for any location other than marked tour bus parking zones. The fee for such permits shall be established by resolution of the city council.

B. Tour Bus Loading Zones. Tour bus loading zones shall be established adjacent or in the vicinity of tourist attractions, for the purpose of loading and unloading tourists, sightseers and students. Buses may not park in tour bus loading zones for any time in excess of the period required to load or unload passengers. Bus drivers without permits will be required to park in tour bus storage zones or other legal parking areas except while engaged in loading and unloading operations.

C. Tour Bus Storage Zones. Bus storage zones shall be established at nearby locations where parking is available that is not required for adjacent business use. The parking manager will advise bus drivers, in the vicinity of tourist attractions, as to the location of nearby tour bus storage zones. (Prior code § 25.07.127)

When signs are erected giving notice thereof, red zones in the Old Sacramento historic district shall be restricted to stopping and parking horse-drawn vehicles for the purposes of loading and unloading passengers or resting animals, not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes. (Prior code § 25.07.128)

Upon notification that an event is scheduled that requires special parking privileges the parking manager is authorized to temporarily mark any on street parking spaces as a zone where parking is allowed by special event permit only. The parking manager may for good cause issue special event parking permits in numbers equal to the number of parking spaces in a zone, and may condition such permits as necessary to insure the maximum public use of the street. Such permits shall be revocable at any time by the parking manager.

No person shall park a vehicle in a marked special event parking zone without first obtaining a special event parking permit from the parking manager and prominently displaying such permit in the windshield of the vehicle.

Whenever any special event permit parking permit is granted, no person shall use such permit for any location or time other than as designated on the permit. All such permits shall designate the specific location, date and time for which the permit is valid. All special event parking permits shall remain the property of the city and shall be surrendered upon demand to the parking manager or authorized representative. (Prior code § 25.07.129)

The city manager may issue one or more press parking permits to a newspaper, or to a radio or television station upon submittal of an application signed by the owner, managing editor, station manager, or person of equivalent managerial responsibility of the newspaper, or radio or television station. The application shall be on a form approved by the city manager. The application shall require the applicant to verify in writing that each requested press parking permit is for either: (a) a specific identified vehicle owned and operated by the newspaper, or radio or television station, that is used primarily in the actual gathering of news, or (b) a specific identified employee holding a full-time position with such newspaper, or radio or television station whose duties primarily involve the actual gathering of news. Such permit or permits shall be issued at the discretion of the city manager, and may be conditioned as deemed necessary by the city manager to insure the maximum public use of city streets. Such permit(s) shall be revocable in accordance with the procedures established by the city manager for the administration of press parking permits.

A press parking permit shall be valid for one year or such other period of time as designated by the city manager, unless earlier revoked. The city manager may request supporting documentation or other evidence to verify any information supplied on an application for a press parking permit, including but not limited to, verification of an employee's news-gathering duties.

Sections 10.36.100, 10.36.130(B), (C) and (D), 10.40.090 and 10.48.120 of this title, regulating the standing and parking of vehicles in time zones and commercial loading zones, at parking meters, and in residential permit parking areas shall not apply to vehicles for which a valid press parking permit has been issued and is properly displayed, provided that said vehicle is the vehicle for which the permit has been issued, or is being operated by the employee for whom the permit has been issued, and is parked solely for the purpose of gathering news or photographing news events. All other provisions of this title shall apply to vehicles displaying a valid press parking permit, and nothing in this section shall be construed as allowing vehicles displaying a valid press parking permit to park in parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities, or where parking has been prohibited to all vehicles.

No news vehicles shall be exempt from parking regulations as specified herein unless a valid press parking permit is displayed in the manner prescribed by the city manager and is plainly visible from outside the vehicle. As used herein, the term "city manager" includes the city manager and any city official authorized to administer the provisions of this section by the city manager. Fees applicable to the issuance of press parking permits may be established by resolution of the city council. (Prior code § 25.07.129-1)