Tuesday June 23, 2026
What are California parking laws?
Several California parking laws affect how associations handle parking:
- Private property towing: A vehicle may be removed from private property if California’s private property towing rules are not followed, including signage, authorization, notice, and storage requirements (Cal. Veh. Code § 22658).
- Tow-away signage: To tow a vehicle from private property without first issuing a notice of parking violation and waiting 96 hours, the property generally must have required tow-away signs posted in plain view at all entrances.
California parking laws require the signs to be at least 17 by 22 inches, use lettering at least one inch high, include the phone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency, include the name and phone number of each towing company that has a towing agreement with the property owner, and state that public parking is prohibited and vehicles will be removed at the owner’s expense (Cal. Veh. Code § 22658(a)(1)-(2)).
- 96-hour notice option: If the required tow-away signs are not posted, a vehicle may generally be removed only after notice is first given and 96 hours have passed (Cal. Veh. Code § 22658(a)(2)).
- Written towing authorization: A towing company generally may not remove a vehicle unless the property owner, lessee, association, or authorized agent provides written authorization that includes required information and identifies the vehicle to be removed. In many cases, the authorizing person must also be present at the time of removal and verify the alleged violation under California parking laws (Cal. Veh. Code § 22658(l)(1)).
- EV charging rights: Association governing documents may not effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station in an owner’s unit or designated parking space, subject to statutory conditions and reasonable restrictions (Cal. Civ. Code § 4745(a)-(b)).
What to know when creating HOA parking rules
To help minimize California parking law violations and misunderstandings about your community's parking policy, here are 5 important considerations and tips for your California HOA board:-
Contact the proper jurisdiction for parking issues on public roads.
Collaboration with local authorities and jurisdictions is essential for successful enforcement of parking policies on private and public roads. Homeowners associations (HOAs) have the authority to regulate parking on private streets through their Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs).
However, when it comes to public street violations, it is advisable to consult with your attorney for legal guidance before taking any action. In order to determine whether your association can enforce the policy on public streets, it is necessary for an HOA attorney to carefully examine your governing documents and assess if the street falls within the jurisdiction outlined in your CC&Rs (referred to as the "covered area" or "annexable territory").
Learn more in our guide to unenforceable HOA rules in California.
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Be familiar with California laws concerning HOAs and towing regulations.
Under California parking laws, HOA board members have a vital responsibility to uphold towing restrictions and laws, including those pertaining to vehicles on private property. By educating themselves on these regulations, associations can support compliance and avoid any potential legal repercussions.
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Make your parking policy reasonable and defined in your CC&Rs.
Since California has various parking laws in place specific to common interest developments (see California’s vehicle code here), it’s best to follow the law and confirm that parking rules are reasonable and clearly defined in your CC&Rs. Avoid confusion and frustration among homeowners by clarifying your HOA rules and regulations. Unclear guidelines can lead to misconceptions about violations.
In the same vein, overly restrictive regulations can prove more harmful than beneficial. To save yourself and your residents from unnecessary headaches, it is crucial to consult your association attorney and HOA manager. Together, you can help make your parking policy clear, reasonable, and easy to understand.
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Communicate consistently with homeowners about parking policies.
As a board, it is important to provide clear guidance to homeowners regarding association parking rules. Instead of relying on homeowners to independently review the CC&Rs and inform their tenants and guests of the parking policy, take proactive steps to regularly communicate this information with the entire community.
Consider including a friendly article in your community newsletter that emphasizes the key rules and regulations. Additionally, sending reminder emails, posting the policy on a community bulletin board, or addressing the rules during homeowner meetings can help reinforce the importance of adhering to the parking policy. By taking these measures, you can confirm that everyone in the community is well-informed and aligned with the parking regulations.
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Always partner with your management company and attorney when managing parking policies.
When developing or modifying your parking policy, it's important to partner with your association attorney and a knowledgeable community management company with a local presence and familiarity with California parking laws. Your community manager will also take responsibility for enforcing your parking regulations and keeping your residents aware of the rules.
About FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential supports California communities with local expertise backed by national resources. For more than 40 years, our dedicated teams have helped boards stay organized with governance support, recordkeeping systems, financial management, vendor coordination, banking and insurance programs, resident communication, and 24/7 customer care.We help boards apply consistent processes that align with their governing documents and California law, so board members can stay focused on long-term community goals instead of day-to-day administration.
Contact a member of our team today to learn more.
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.