Chapter 9

Article 9-15

Saratoga Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Saratoga

STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING Sections:

ctions:
9-15.010 Authority for regulations.
9-15.020
9-15.030
9-15.040
9-15.050
9-15.052
Enforcement of regulations.
Exemptions from parking
regulations.
Reserved.
Areas where parking prohibited.
Temporary designation of no parking
areas.
9-15.055 Emergency designation of no
9-15.060 parking areas.
Parking time limit areas.
9-15.065 Vehicles used as living or sleeping
quarters.
9-15.070
9-15.080
9-15.085
Tow away zones.
Special parking zones.
Designated electric vehicle charging
9-15.090
9-15.100
zones.
Commercial loading zones.
Passenger loading zones.
9-15.110 Reserved.
9-15.120 Bus loading zones.
9-15.130 Mail deposit zones.
9-15.140 Private loading space zones.
9-15.150 Angle parking.
9-15.160 Residential Parking.

9-15.010 Authority for regulations.

This Article is adopted pursuant to the authority set forth in Chapter 9 of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code (commencing with Section 22500).

9-15.020 Enforcement of regulations.

It shall be the duty of all policemen and Community Service Officers appointed for such purpose and all deputies of the County Sheriff performing police services in the City to enforce all parking regulations of the City and all State vehicle laws applicable to parking in the City.

9-15.030 Exemptions from parking regulations.

(a) The provisions of this Article regulating the parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a law enforcement department or fire department, any public ambulance or any public utility vehicle or any private ambulance, which public utility vehicle or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized

emergency vehicle and is being operated in the manner specified in the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.

(b) The provisions of this Article 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 being performed upon any public street or parking area, nor to any vehicle being operated by a Community Service Officer in the performance of his duties.

(c) The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his wilful disregard for the safety of others.

9-15.040 Reserved.

Editor’s note— Ord. No. 354, § 1 (Exh. A), adopted December 20, 2017, repealed § 9-15.040, which pertained to declaration of congested area; recommendation of City Engineer.

9-15.050 Areas where parking prohibited.

(a) Parking may be prohibited in a designated area upon a determination by the City Council in a resolution that such parking would be detrimental to the best use of the street, or where such prohibition is necessary in order to facilitate the proper movement of traffic or to prevent congestion.

(b) Whenever motor vehicles are prohibited from parking in certain sections, the top and face of the curb of the section in which such parking is prohibited shall be painted red or have signs indicating the prohibition against parking shall be erected at appropriate intervals in such sections or both.

(c) Whenever an area in which parking is prohibited is designated, no person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in such designated area at any time, except as otherwise specified in this Article. (Amended by Ord. 214 § 2, 2002)

(Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.052 Temporary designation of no parking areas.

The City Engineer shall have authority to designate any streets, or portions thereof, as temporary no parking zones to accommodate special events. The City Engineer shall post signs, markings or other traffic control devices specifying the location and duration of the temporary restriction at least seventy-two hours

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

172

9-15.080

before the restriction takes effect. The designation shall automatically expire seven days after taking effect unless sooner terminated by the City Engineer. (Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.055 Emergency designation of no parking areas.

The City Engineer shall have authority to designate any streets, or portions thereof, as no parking zones and to post signs, markings or other traffic control devices giving appropriate notice of the prohibition against parking in such zones whenever the City Engineer determines that such designation is immediately required by reason of an existing hazard which impairs the safe movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or access for emergency vehicles. The designation shall automatically expire after sixty days unless sooner terminated by the City Engineer upon removal of the hazard, or unless extended by a temporary or permanent regulation adopted by the City Council pursuant to Section 9-15. 050 of this Article. (Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.060 Parking time limit areas.

(a) Any or all of the following time limitations may by resolution of the City Council be placed on motor vehicles parking on City streets or City parking lots, holidays excepted:

(1) Two hour parking.

(2) One hour parking.

(3) Thirty minute parking.

(4) Fifteen minute parking.

Unless otherwise specified, the limitations set forth above shall be effective only between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.

(b) Whenever a parking time limit for a parking area is designated, not less than two signs shall be placed in each block so designated, which signs shall give notice of the time limit and the effective hours.

(c) Whenever in an area a parking time limit is imposed, no person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in violation of the time limit in the designated area during the effective hours thereof. (Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.065 Vehicles used as living or sleeping quarters.

No vehicle, including any boat, bus, trailer, motor home, recreational vehicle (as defined in Section 15-

06.535 of this Code), van, camper (whether or not attached to a pickup or other vehicle), camp trailer, automobile, truck, pickup, airplane, haul trailer, truck tractor, truck trailer, utility trailer, or any device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved or drawn, shall be used for living or sleeping quarters, except as permitted below:

(a) Vehicles may be used as living or sleeping quarters at rotating emergency shelter locations meeting the conditions contained in Section 15-12.020(k) of this Code.

(b) Only one trailer, motor home, camper or recreational vehicle at a time may be used for living or sleeping quarters on a residential property for a total period for all of such uses not to exceed eighteen days in one calendar year. Upon written request, from the property owner, the Community Development Director, or his or her designee, may for good cause grant reasonable time extensions of this eighteen-day limitation per calendar year. No such time extension may cause the calendar year limit to be exceeded by more than an additional fourteen days. (Ord. 243 § 1, 2006: Ord. 71-187 § 1, 1999)

(Ord. No. 361, § 1(Exh. A), 2-6-2019)

9-15.070 Tow away zones.

(a) Whenever the parking of any vehicle is prohibited by resolution, ordinance or provision of this Article, any vehicle parked or left standing on any public street or highway in the City in violation thereof may be removed by any person having the authority to enforce this Article, in the manner and subject to the requirements of Article 1 in Chapter 10 of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code (commencing with Section 22650), where signs are posted giving notice of such removal.

(b) All limited parking zones and no parking zones shall in addition become tow away zones in accord with this provision upon any resolution of the City Council directing the installation of applicable tow away zone signs in addition to or in conjunction with, limited parking or no parking signs.

9-15.080 Special parking zones.

Commercial loading zones, passenger loading zones, taxi zones, bus loading zones and other special zones may be established to regulate parking where the City Council determines they are necessary to further the public health, safety, or welfare.

(Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

173

9-15.085

9-15.085 Designated electric vehicle charging zones.

Parking stalls and spaces with access to public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are hereby designated as EV charging zones. Any motor vehicle stopped, left standing, or parked in an EV charging zone must be connected to a charging station. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City Council may by resolution designate EV charging zones where vehicles may be parked for up to fifteen minutes without being in violation of this Section.

(Ord. No. 340, § 1(Att. A, § 9), 7-6-2016)

9-15.090 Commercial loading zones.

(a) Restriction. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in a commercial loading zone except for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or freight, and in no event for more than twenty minutes, holidays excepted.

(b) Signs and painted curbs. Whenever a commercial loading zone is established, the top and face of the curb of the section so established shall be painted yellow, and one sign shall be erected at each end of the zone giving notice of the nature and effective hours thereof.

(c) Effective hours. Unless otherwise specified, the effective hours for commercial loading zones shall be from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

(d) Designation of commercial loading zones. The following described portions of the public streets in the City listed below are designated as commercial loading zones and subject to the restrictions of this Section:

Saratoga/Los Gatos Road. The west side of Saratoga/Los Gatos Road from a point fifty-six feet north of its intersection with Oak Street, southerly to a point thirty-nine feet north of the intersection with Oak Street.

Big Basin Way. The northwesterly side of Big Basin Way from approximately one hundred sixty-three feet southwesterly of the centerline of Fourth Street to approximately two hundred twenty-one feet southwesterly of said centerline of Fourth Street.

Big Basin Way. The northwesterly side of Big Basin Way; Beginning approximately three hundred fiftythree feet southwesterly of the intersection of the southwesterly curbline of Fourth Street and the northwesterly curbline of Big Basin Way, for a distance of approximately forty-four feet southwesterly.

Big Basin Way. The northwesterly side of Big Basin Way from a point measured approximately sixty-three feet northeasterly from the centerline of Fourth Street to a point measured approximately eighty-eight feet northeasterly of said centerline to Fourth Street.

Fourth Street. The northeasterly side from a point measured approximately one hundred thirty-five feet northwesterly from the centerline of Big Basin Way to a point measured approximately one hundred ninety feet northwesterly of such centerline of Big Basin Way. (Amended by Ord. 71.94 § 1, 1991) (Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.100 Passenger loading zones.

(a) Restriction. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in a passenger loading zone except for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, and in no event for more than five minutes, holidays excepted.

(b) Signs and painted curbs. Whenever a passenger loading zone is established, the top and face of the curb of the section so established shall be painted white, and one sign shall be erected at each end of the zone giving notice of the nature and effective hours thereof.

(c) Effective hours. Unless otherwise specified, the effective hours for passenger loading zones shall be from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.; provided, however, that when a passenger loading zone is established in front of a theater, the limitation shall apply at all times except when the theater is closed.

(d) Designation of passenger loading zones. The following described portions of the public streets in the City listed below are designated as passenger loading zones and subject to the restrictions of this Section.

Oak Street. Southeast side, from a point two hundred forty-four feet northeast of the intersection of Komina Avenue to a point two hundred eighty-eight feet northeast of that intersection.

Park Place. The northwest side from a point on the curbline 66 feet northeasterly along such curbline from the intersection of the curbline with the curbline of Oak Place, adjacent to power pole 14495 to a point one hundred thirteen feet northeasterly along such curbline from such intersection.

Komina Avenue. Northeast side, from a point sixty feet southeast of the intersection of Oak Street to a point two hundred thirty-six feet southeast of that intersection.

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

174

9-15.140

Glen Brae Drive. On the easterly side from approximately five hundred sixty feet northerly of the centerline to approximately six hundred eighty-five feet of Via Real to northerly of same.

De Sanka Avenue. On the easterly side from a point fifty feet southerly of Knollwood Drive to a point one hundred sixty feet southerly of said Knollwood Drive; and from a point two hundred feet southerly of Knollwood Drive to a point three hundred fifty-six feet southerly of said Knollwood Drive.

(e) Additional designation. The following described portion of Big Basin Way is designated as a passenger loading zone and subject to the restrictions of this Section during the effective hours of 6:00 P.M. to midnight:

On the northwesterly side from approximately seventy-five feet southwesterly of the centerline of Fourth Street to approximately one hundred nineteen feet southwesterly of said centerline of Fourth Street. (Amended by Ord. 71.90 § 1, 1991; Ord. 71.94 § 2, 1991; Ord. 71.114 § 1, 1992)

(Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.110 Reserved.

Editor’s note— Ord. No. 413, § 1(Exh. A, § 12), adopted November 5, 2025, repealed § 9-15.110, which pertained to taxi zones and derived from Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), December 20, 2017.

9-15.120 Bus loading zones.

(a) Restriction. Only commercial or school buses may stand or park in any bus loading zone at any time.

(b) Signs and painted curbs. Whenever a bus loading zone is established, the top and face of the curb of the section so established shall be painted red, the words "bus stop" shall painted in yellow thereon, and appropriate signs may be erected to indicate the nature thereof.

(c) Designation of bus loading zones. The following described portions of the public streets in the City listed below are designated as bus loading zones and subject to the restrictions of this Section:

Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road. On the westerly side from approximately seventy-two feet northerly of Saratoga/Los Gatos Road to approximately one hundred fifty-one feet northerly of same.

Saratoga/Los Gatos Road. On the southwesterly side from approximately fifty-four feet from the north-

easterly prolongation of the northwesterly curbline of Oak Street to a point approximately eighty-one feet northwesterly thereof.

De Sanka Avenue. On the easterly side starting from a point approximately five hundred fifty-five feet northerly of the centerline of Seagull Way to a point approximately five hundred ninety-five feet northerly of the centerline of Seagull Way.

(Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.130 Mail deposit zones.

(a) Restriction. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in a mail deposit zone except for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.

(b) Signs and painted curbs. Whenever a mail deposit zone is established, the top and face of the curb of the section so established shall be painted white.

(c) Designation of mail deposit zones. The following portions of the public streets in the City listed below are designated as mail deposit zones subject to the restrictions of this Section:

Big Basin Way. The south side of Big Basin Way directly in front of the Saratoga Village shopping center commencing with the west entrance to that center and extending eastward approximately forty feet to the edge of the exit to the same.

Saratoga Avenue. The northerly side of Saratoga Avenue from a point approximately one hundred eightyfive feet from the easterly curbline of Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road to a point approximately two hundred thirty feet from said easterly curbline.

9-15.140 Private loading space zones.

(a) Description. The eight foot wide portions of the public street adjacent to the curb or shoulder located in front of the doors of commercial establishments, which doors are used for the loading or unloading of goods, wares or merchandise, may be designated as loading spaces.

(b) Application. Any person desiring the designation of a loading space shall make application therefor to the City Council in the manner specified by the Council.

(c) Determination; erection of signs. If the City Council finds and determines that a loading space is necessary and would not unreasonably impair the traffic circulation and availability of parking in the immediate vicinity, the Council may designate the portion of

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

175

9-15.140

the public street described in the application as a loading space. The applicant shall thereupon purchase and install appropriate signs, as specified by the Maintenance Director.

(d) Restriction. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in a designated loading space except while actually loading or unloading such motor vehicle, and then only for the period of time necessary for the expeditious loading or unloading thereof.

9-15.150 Angle parking.

(a) Where permitted. Angle parking may be permitted in any area where so designated pursuant to this Section.

(b) Markings and signs. Whenever a street or portion thereof is designated for angle parking, the street shall be marked to indicate the angle at which motor vehicles shall be parked and signs may be erected indicating that angle parking is permitted on the street or portion thereof.

(c) Restriction. Whenever a street or portion thereof has been designated and marked for angle parking, no person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle other than in the areas and at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such markings.

(d) Designation. That portion of Third Street on the northeast and northwest sides from the northwesterly curbline of Big Basin Way to a point approximately one hundred fifty feet northwesterly thereof, is designated as an area where angle parking at ninety degrees is permitted. Such area is also subject to a parking time limit of two hours.

(Ord. No. 354, § 1(Exh. A), 12-20-2017)

9-15.160 Residential Parking.

In a residential zoning district vehicles may be parked only in a garage, carport, other parking area designated on the approved plans, or on a driveway meeting the standards of Saratoga Municipal Code 16-17.160 in a location that does not interfere with passage of other users of the driveway or the safe passage of emergency vehicles. This limitation does not apply to vehicles stored in accordance with Article 9-55 of the Saratoga Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 413, § 1(Exh. A, § 13, 11-5-2025)

176

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

9-20.050