Parking Laws In La: Weekends And Enforcement Explained

Parking in Los Angeles can be a frustrating experience, with the city reporting the highest expenses for parking-related costs in the country. The city's parking laws are enforced by the LADOT, and while the city's parking laws are not enforced on national holidays, state parking laws remain in effect. On holidays, parking restrictions such as no parking/stopping on specified days and times, and preferential parking districts are not enforced unless specifically stated. However, regulations such as red zones, yellow/white zones, and no parking anytime signs remain enforced.

Parking laws in LA are confusing and enraging

Parking laws in LA can be confusing and enraging. The rules vary depending on the city and the day of the week, and there are a lot of restrictions to keep in mind.

Firstly, it's important to know that parking on public streets is regulated by state parking laws (California Vehicle Code) and city parking laws (Los Angeles Municipal Code). So, the rules can change depending on whether you're parking within the city of LA or in one of the surrounding cities.

Some general rules that apply across California include:

• You may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, 15 feet of a fire station driveway or fire hydrant, or on the street blocking a public or private driveway.
• You must park within 18 inches of the curb when parallel parking.
• You may not park on a sidewalk or a bridge (unless specifically allowed).
• You may not park in an alley, except for the purpose of actively unloading goods or passengers.
• You may not park in your front yard or lawn, or in the area between the adjacent street and any building or structure on your property (except on the driveway).

In the city of LA, there are additional rules to keep in mind:

• You can't park in one spot for more than 72 hours. After this, your car may be considered abandoned and reported.
• Overnight parking is allowed unless a posted sign says otherwise. However, living or sleeping overnight in your car is generally not permitted.
• You can park at a broken meter for free, but only if both the coin and credit card payment options are broken. If one is working, you must pay to park.
• You can't park in a space designated for electric car charging for longer than necessary.

In addition to these rules, each city within the county has its own set of parking rules, particularly regarding curb colors. For example, in LA, yellow curbs are for commercial and passenger loading during the day, but they turn into regular parking spots at night. Green curbs are for short-term parking, and white curbs are for passenger loading only (with a few exceptions during off-hours in certain cities). Red curbs mean no stopping or parking at any time.

To make things even more complicated, parking restrictions are often not enforced on weekends and holidays. In LA, most parking restrictions are not enforced on national holidays like New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, parking rules also don't apply on the preceding Friday, and if it falls on a Sunday, they don't apply on the following Monday.

So, if you're trying to navigate parking in LA, it's important to pay attention to the city you're in, the curb colors, any posted signs, and whether it's a weekend or holiday. It can be confusing and frustrating, but with a little knowledge and patience, you can avoid parking tickets and find a spot for your car.

Parking on public streets and alleys is regulated by state parking laws and city parking laws

Parking on public streets and alleys in Los Angeles is regulated by state parking laws and city parking laws. The state parking laws are outlined in the California Vehicle Code, while the city parking laws are outlined in the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

State and city parking regulations apply on weekends in Los Angeles, although certain city parking regulations are not enforced on national holidays. These holidays include:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King's Birthday (3rd Monday in January)
• President's Day (3rd Monday in February)
• Cesar Chavez Day (last Monday in March)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
• Indigenous Peoples Day (2nd Monday in October)
• Veteran's Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

If a national holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed by the city on a Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.

In addition to posted signs and coloured curbs indicating parking regulations, some common parking prohibitions in Los Angeles include:

• Parking in alleys, except for actively unloading goods or passengers.
• Parking in an intersection or a crosswalk.
• Parking within 15 feet of a fire station driveway or fire hydrant.
• Parking in front of a public or private driveway.
• Double parking.
• Parking in front of a bus stop in a tunnel.
• Parking on a bridge, unless otherwise posted.
• Parking in a centre median strip without permission.
• Parking continuously at one location for more than 72 hours.
• Parking heavy-duty commercial vehicles in residential areas, unless loading, unloading, or on a service call.
• Parking unattached semi-trailers.

It is important to note that parking laws in Los Angeles can vary depending on the specific city or area within the county, such as Beverly Hills, Pasadena, or Santa Monica. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to posted signs and be aware of the specific regulations in the area where you are parking.

Common parking prohibitions include parking in front of a fire hydrant, blocking a driveway, or parking on a bridge

In Los Angeles, parking on public streets and alleys is regulated by state parking laws (California Vehicle Code) and city parking laws (Los Angeles Municipal Code). Parking restrictions are in place over the weekend, and common parking prohibitions include parking in front of a fire hydrant, blocking a driveway, or parking on a bridge.

Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited by the California Vehicle Code. This is to ensure that firefighters can access the hydrant in the event of a fire. While some residents may request that the curb be painted red to alert motorists, this is not standard practice in Los Angeles, as it would incur significant costs to taxpayers. Instead, residents are advised to report parking violations to their local Sheriff's station for enforcement.

Blocking a driveway is another common parking prohibition. This includes parking in front of both public and private driveways, which can impede the ability of residents to enter or exit their property. Similarly, parking on a bridge is prohibited unless otherwise posted, as it can obstruct the free use of the street.

Other parking restrictions in Los Angeles include double parking, or parking on the roadway side of another vehicle, and parking in an intersection or crosswalk. Heavy-duty commercial vehicles are also restricted from parking in residential areas unless they are loading or unloading goods or have a service call nearby.

On holidays, most parking laws are not enforced in LA

Parking in Los Angeles can be a challenge, but there are some holidays when most parking laws are not enforced.

On national holidays, certain city parking regulations are not enforced, but this does not apply to state parking laws. These holidays include:

• Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (third Monday in January)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)

If one of the above holidays falls on a Saturday, the city observes it on the Friday before. If it falls on a Sunday, the city observes it on the following Monday. The changes in parking restrictions will occur on both the holiday and the observed holiday.

On these holidays, the following parking restrictions are not enforced unless specifically posted:

• No parking with specified days and times only
• No stopping with specified days and times only
• Preferential parking districts
• Street sweeping (also not enforced the day after Thanksgiving and on the Cesar Chavez Holiday)

On election days, the above parking restriction exemptions apply within a one-block radius of polling places.

In addition to the above, the following holidays are also considered parking holidays in Los Angeles:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Indigenous Peoples Day (second Monday in October)
• Veteran's Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

If any of these holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the same rules apply as above, with the city observing the holiday on the Friday before or the Monday after, respectively.

On these holidays, unless signs specifically say they are enforced, the following restrictions are not enforced:

• No parking/no stopping on specified days and times (rush hour rules), except for temporary no parking/no stopping signs
• Parking district permit required (preferential parking)

It's important to note that all other parking restrictions are still enforced on these holidays, including colored curb zones and temporary "no parking" or "no stopping" signs.

There are also rules regarding the colour of the curb

In Los Angeles, parking laws are enforced on the weekends. However, there are exceptions on certain holidays.

• Red curbs are no-parking zones and are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• White curbs are for passenger loading only and are also in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Yellow curbs are for commercial loading only and are in effect Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, vehicles can load and unload passengers or baggage for a maximum of 5 minutes at any time. On Sundays and between 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on other days, anyone can park in these spots unless posted regulations say otherwise.
• Green curbs are designated for short-term parking, usually for 15 or 30 minutes, and are in effect Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Outside of these hours, anyone can park in these spots unless posted regulations say otherwise.
• Blue curbs are accessible parking zones for people with a "Disabled Person" tag.

Frequently asked questions