California Vehicle Code Parking Laws: The Sections That Matter Most

California's parking laws live in the California Vehicle Code (CVC). These are the actual statutes that enforcement officers, hearing officers, and judges use — and more importantly, they define your rights as a driver. Understanding even a handful of key sections changes how you read a parking ticket and what defenses you can raise.

This guide covers the CVC sections that matter most for California parking disputes.

The Foundational Prohibition: CVC § 22500

California Vehicle Code § 22500 is the primary "thou shalt not park here" statute. It lists specific prohibited parking locations:

• (a) Within an intersection
• (b) On a crosswalk
• (c) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb
• (d) Within 15 feet of a fire station driveway entrance
• (e) In front of a public or private driveway
• (f) On a sidewalk
• (g) In front of or within 7.5 feet of a fire hydrant — note: § 22514 sets the broader 15-foot hydrant rule
• (h) On the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at a curb (double parking)
• (i) At an excavation or obstruction
• (j) Alongside or opposite a street excavation
• (k) Upon a bridge or elevated structure
• (l) Between lanes
• (m) Within a tube or tunnel
• (n) Within 20 feet of the approach side of any crosswalk — the new "daylighting" provision added by AB 413, effective January 1, 2025

Most of these are self-explanatory. The § 22500(n) daylighting provision is new and catches many drivers off guard because it applies even when the curb is not painted red.

Street Sweeping and Time Limits: CVC § 22507 and § 22507.6

CVC § 22507 gives local authorities the power to establish restricted parking zones, permit parking areas, and time-limited parking. The local ordinance must be indicated by posted signs.

CVC § 22507.6 is the specific authorization for street sweeping restrictions. It allows local authorities to prohibit parking during street cleaning hours — but requires signs that give "adequate notice" of the restriction.

This "adequate notice" requirement is the basis of the most common successful parking ticket defense. If the sign on a block was missing, graffiti-covered, or so obscured by vegetation that a reasonable driver couldn't read it, the restriction may be unenforceable at that location.

Key limitation: Signs are often only required at the entrance to a highway or neighborhood, not necessarily on every block. The question is whether the entrance signage constitutes "adequate notice" for the entire street — and this is where photographs and sign maintenance records become valuable.

Metered Parking and Broken Meters: CVC § 22508 and § 22508.5

CVC § 22508 governs metered parking generally — the requirement to pay for a parking meter space and the prohibition on exceeding the posted time limit.

CVC § 22508.5 is the broken meter provision. It states:

A vehicle may be parked at an inoperable parking meter for up to the time limit otherwise applicable to the parking space...

For this defense to work: - The meter must be inoperable — unable to accept any form of payment - If the coin slot is jammed but the card reader works, or the machine accepts app payment, the meter is not inoperable under this section - Parking is only free up to the posted time limit, not indefinitely

The evidence that wins this defense: a video showing the meter number, the coin slot rejecting inserted coins, and the card reader displaying an error. Report the broken meter to the city's meter hotline (LADOT: 877-215-3958) and save the reference number.

Red, Yellow, White, Green, and Blue Curbs: CVC § 21458

CVC § 21458 establishes the meaning of curb colors in California:

• (a)(1) Red: No stopping, standing, or parking at any time
• (a)(2) Yellow: Stopping for commercial loading or unloading during posted hours only (typically 30 minutes)
• (a)(3) White: Stopping for passenger loading or unloading, or for postal mail (5 minutes, or as posted)
• (a)(4) Green: Parking for the time limit specified by the local authority
• (a)(5) Blue: Reserved for disabled persons with placards or disabled veteran plates; unlimited time in green and metered zones when placard is displayed

The faded paint defense: CVC § 21458 requires curb markings to be "clearly visible." Severely faded red paint that is not visible to a reasonable driver may support a contest argument, though this is harder to win than signage arguments.

Important 2025 update: The daylighting law (CVC § 22500(n)) applies to the area within 20 feet of a crosswalk regardless of curb color. A "there was no red paint at the corner" defense no longer works for tickets issued under the new daylighting provision.

Fire Hydrant Distance: CVC § 22514

CVC § 22514 prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, with two exceptions:

1. The vehicle is attended by a licensed driver seated in the front seat who can immediately move it
2. A local authority establishes a different distance and posts signs or markings indicating it

The 15-foot rule is measured from the nearest point of the vehicle to the nearest point of the hydrant. Red curb paint near hydrants may cover more or less than 15 feet — the state law's 15-foot requirement applies regardless of where the paint ends.

Disabled Person Parking: CVC § 22511.5 and § 40226

CVC § 22511.5 establishes the rights of disabled persons with valid placards or disabled veteran plates: - Parking in blue curb (disabled) zones - Parking in green zones for unlimited time - Parking in metered zones for unlimited time without payment (in most jurisdictions)

Rights that do not apply even with a placard: - Red, white, or yellow curb zones - "No Stopping" or "No Standing" zones

CVC § 40226 is the relief provision for drivers who had a valid placard at the time of citation but failed to display it. The agency may collect only an administrative fee (maximum $25) instead of the full fine, provided the driver submits proof of the valid placard. This is a codified defense — not a matter of discretion.

Towing and Booting: CVC § 22651

CVC § 22651 authorizes removal of vehicles from public streets in specific circumstances:

• (i) Five or more unpaid parking violations — vehicle eligible for boot or tow
• (k) Vehicle parked in one location for more than 72 hours — vehicle eligible for tow

72-hour rule: A vehicle cannot stay parked in the same location for more than 72 consecutive hours. "Moving" the vehicle requires relocating it at least 1/10th of a mile (approximately 500 feet) in San Diego and San Francisco — rolling it forward a few feet does not reset the clock.

The Dispute Process: CVC § 40215

CVC § 40215 is the statute that establishes your right to contest a parking citation. It mandates a three-stage process:

• (a) Initial Administrative Review: Must be requested within 21 days of citation issuance or 14 days of a delinquency notice. Free. No payment required.
• (b) Administrative Hearing: Must be requested within 21 days of the Initial Review denial mailing. Full fine deposit required in advance.
• (c) Additional protections for notices issued by mail.

This statute applies to all local authorities in California. Cities cannot restrict or shorten these rights.

Payment Plans: CVC § 40220

CVC § 40220 mandates that agencies offer payment plans to individuals who cannot afford to pay the full citation amount. Key terms: - Application window: 120 days from citation issuance - Monthly payment cap: $25 for amounts under $500 - Income documentation required

This section also authorizes pre-payment waivers for administrative hearings — you can request the deposit waived based on indigent status.

DMV Registration Hold: CVC § 4760

CVC § 4760 authorizes the DMV to place a hold on vehicle registration renewal when outstanding parking fines are owed. The vehicle cannot be registered (or renewed) until all fines and penalties are paid in full.

This provision is what gives cities their long-term collection leverage. Even if enforcement officers don't track down individual vehicles, the DMV renewal system ensures unpaid fines eventually force resolution.

Stolen Vehicle Defense: CVC § 40208

CVC § 40208 provides for dismissal of a citation if the vehicle was reported stolen at the time of the violation. A copy of the police report filed before the violation is required.

Rental Car Liability Transfer: CVC § 40209

CVC § 40209 establishes the mechanism for rental companies to transfer parking ticket liability from the registered owner (the rental company) to the renter. Once the rental company provides the renter's name and address to the issuing agency, the renter becomes the responsible party for all subsequent notices and proceedings.

Using CVC Codes in Your Dispute Letter

When contesting a parking citation, cite the specific CVC section that supports your defense. Generic language is dismissed; specific statutory references are taken seriously.

Examples: - "Under CVC § 22507.6, the restriction requires adequate notice by posted signs. No such signs were present on the cited block, as shown in Exhibit A." - "Under CVC § 22508.5, I may park at an inoperable meter for up to the posted time limit. The meter at [location] rejected both coin and card payment as shown in the attached video." - "Under CVC § 40226, as a driver who held a valid disabled person placard at the time of citation, I request that the fine be reduced to the maximum $25 administrative fee."

This is the difference between an emotional letter (rejected in 60 seconds) and a legal protest that a reviewer must actually evaluate.

California Vehicle Code sections give you the legal framework to fight parking citations effectively. Our California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide translates the most relevant CVC provisions into ready-to-use appeal templates, with the exact language that works at each stage of the three-step dispute process.