Certain places are illegal to park in, mostly for safety and access reasons. Here’s where you must not park:
🚷 Prohibited Parking Areas
🚶 Crosswalks — the 20-foot “daylighting” rule
- Never park on a crosswalk — whether marked or unmarked
- Unmarked crosswalks exist at nearly every intersection
- You also may not park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, on the approach side
- Where a curb extension (bulb-out) is present, the distance is 15 feet
💡 This is called “daylighting”: keeping the corner clear so drivers and pedestrians can see each other. It applies even if the curb is not painted red and there is no sign. California began issuing citations for it in 2025.
🚫 Sidewalk or Blocking Driveway
- Do not park on a sidewalk
- Do not block any part of a driveway
- Blocking public or private driveways is illegal and inconsiderate
⚠️ Within an Intersection
- Do not park in or too close to an intersection
🔥 Near a Fire Hydrant
- Keep at least 15 feet away
- Exception: A licensed driver remains inside and can move the vehicle immediately
🚒 Near a Fire Station
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire station driveway
- Typically marked with a red curb
🚗 Double Parking
- Illegal to park next to a parked car in the street (double-parking)
- Even briefly — it blocks traffic
🔁 Wrong Side of the Street
- Don’t park facing against traffic
- You’ll have to drive on the wrong side to leave, which is illegal
🛣️ On a Freeway
- Never park on a freeway, except in an emergency, when a law enforcement officer requires the stop, or where a stop is specifically permitted
- If you must stop, park completely off the pavement and stay in your vehicle with the doors locked until help arrives
- A vehicle left on a freeway for more than four hours may be towed
🛑 No Parking Zones
- Obey signs and red curbs
- Some zones are time-restricted (e.g., no parking during rush hour)
🚌 Bus Stops & Loading Zones
- Only buses, taxis, or commercial vehicles may stop in designated areas
- Usually marked by signs or red/yellow curbs
🚉 Railroad Tracks
- Do not park on or near tracks
- Stay at least 7½ feet away
🌉 Bridges or Tunnels
- No parking on bridges, overpasses, or in tunnels
- Unless specifically permitted
🧍 Safety Zones
- Do not park between a safety zone and the curb
- Safety zones are reserved for pedestrian boarding areas, like near streetcars
🚧 Construction Areas
- Respect all temporary no parking signs related to construction or maintenance
♿ Accessibility
- Do not park within 3 feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons
- Do not park in front of or on a curb that provides wheelchair access to a sidewalk
- Do not park in the crosshatched (diagonal lines) area next to a designated disabled parking space
🔌 Zero-Emission Vehicle Spaces
- Do not park in a space designated for parking or fueling zero-emission vehicles, unless you are driving one
⛔ Blocking Traffic
- Never park where your vehicle:
- Blocks traffic
- Creates a hazard (e.g., blind curve or narrow passage)
- This applies even if there’s no sign or red curb
🚗 Brief Stops in No Parking Areas
- Some “No Parking” zones allow brief stops if:
- You’re in the driver’s seat
- You leave immediately after dropping off or picking up
- “No Stopping” means no stopping at all, even momentarily
🛑 Parking Enforcement
- Violations can result in:
- Tickets
- Towing
- Impound fees
- Parking in disabled spots without a permit carries hefty fines
🌙 Headlights and Night Parking
- If parking at night in dark or rural areas:
- Use parking lights or hazard lights to remain visible
🚪 Safe Exit – Preventing “Dooring”
- Before opening your door:
- Check mirrors for cyclists and cars
- Use the “Dutch Reach”:
- Open the door with your far hand (e.g., right hand for driver’s door)
- This forces you to turn and look back
Helps prevent “dooring” a bicyclist or losing your door to traffic
✅ Final Tip
Always ask yourself:
“Will this parking spot block vision, inconvenience others, or pose a risk?”
If yes, find a better spot — even if it means walking further.
Safe and courteous parking protects everyone.