Oversized Vehicle Street Parking Restriction

A vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds ANY ONE of the following dimensions:

• 25 feet long, measured from the leading edge of the front bumper to the trailing edge of the rear bumper, including any overhanging cab or camper shell.  When multiple vehicles are connected (e.g. a truck towing a trailer), measure from the leading edge of the front bumper of the first vehicle to the trailing edge of the rear bumper or body of the last vehicle.  If two vehicles are connected, the total length is measured.
• 80 inches wide, measured at the widest point, including cab or camper shells and wheel flares.
• 82 inches high, measured from bottom of tire to top of vehicle, trailer roof, or skylight, including cab or camper shells.

These measurements DO NOT INCLUDE projecting devices, such as lights, antennae, racks, contents of racks, mirrors, trailer hitches, and winches.  Racks for bikes, kayaks, etc. do not count in the measurements.

Residents of the City of Santa Barbara can get temporary permits to park their oversized vehicles adjacent to their permanent homes.  Residents are eligible for up to 10 days of permits in any 90-day period. 

Visitors to the City can get temporary permits to park their oversized vehicles adjacent to the home of a resident they are visiting.  Visitors are eligible for up to 10 days of permits in any 90-day period. 

Businesses have two permit options:

1. Temporary Commercial permits. A business can get temporary permits to park an oversized vehicle adjacent to an address where they are doing business, with consent of the occupant of that address. The sponsoring address may be commercial or residential. A specific commercial vehicle cannot get permits to park at the same address for more than 10 days in any 90-day period. If you need to park at one address for longer than 10 days, you will need to get a Parking Restriction Waiver from the Public Works counter.

2. Contractor Permits. A business can get annual permits for their oversized vehicles provided a) the vehicles are registered as commercial vehicles; and b) the business has a current City of Santa Barbara business license. Contractor permits are valid July 1 – June 30. These permits allow the vehicle to park on-street between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

Disabled Persons can get Oversized Vehicle Disability Parking Permits, which allow them to park their oversized vehicle adjacent to locations where they receive services (doctor offices, grocery stores, churches, work, home, etc.).  To qualify, a person must:

1. Have a valid disabled placard or license plate.

2. Have an oversized vehicle that is necessary to accommodate their disability.

Our Downtown Parking public counter hours are M-F from 8am-4:30pm; closed alternating Fridays. Please call 805-564-5656 Option 3 for any questions.

Enforcement started September 2017.

Disability permits – free.

Temporary permits – first permit is free, $5/day for any subsequent permits.

Contractor permits - $100/year for the 1st vehicle, $50/year for each additional vehicle associated with that business license.  Fees are pro-rated quarterly.

You will need to find places to park off-street. City surface lots can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet long. Waterfront lots can accommodate a limited number of oversized vehicles.  There are several private parking operators in town who may have lot space that can accommodate oversized vehicles.  If you intend to camp in your vehicle, there are several public campgrounds in the area that can accommodate oversized vehicles.

Oversized Vehicles are prohibited from parking in the public-right-of way, with some limited exceptions. The following oversized vehicles are exempt from these restrictions:

• Vehicles belonging to or under contract with federal, state, or local government authorities.
• Emergency vehicles, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 165.
• Specialized vehicles actively engaged in news reporting.
• Commercial vehicles actively engaged in loading or unloading may park for up to thirty (30) minutes.
• Oversized vehicles belonging to or under contract with a public utility may park on the street between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, or while providing necessary or emergency services during other hours. “Public utilities” include providers of gas, water, trash, or electric service, as well as cable television corporations operating pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 216.4.
• Inoperable vehicles undergoing emergency repairs may park for up to four (4) hours.
• Buses may park in areas specifically posted to allow bus parking for a prescribed time; or in other locations for up to two (2) hours.
• Any oversized vehicle that has been issued and is displaying a Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit.
• Any oversized vehicle displaying both a valid disabled placard or license plate and a valid Oversized Vehicle Disability Parking Permit.
• Any oversized commercial vehicle that has been issued and is displaying a Contractors Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit.

An Oversized Vehicle is any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds 25 feet long OR 80 inches wide OR 82 inches high. Pickup trucks may exceed 80 inches wide so long as they meet both the length and height restrictions. Trucks with utility beds are not "pickup trucks" within the meaning of the ordinance or Vehicle Code section 471.

Length is measured as follows:

• For a single vehicle, from the leading edge of the front bumper to the trailing edge of the rear bumper, including any cab or camper shell that overhangs the rear bumper.
• For a combination of vehicles, from the leading edge of the front bumper of the towing vehicle to the trailing edge of the rear bumper or body (whichever is longer) of the towed vehicle or trailer.

Length does not include projecting devices such as lights, mirrors, racks, trailer hitches, and winches. Items secured to racks, such as bicycles, are not included in the length measurements.

Height is measured from the bottom of the tire to the top of the vehicle or trailer roof or skylight, at its highest point. The height includes any cab or camper shell that has been placed on the vehicle. Projecting devices, such as lights, antennae, and roof racks, are not included in the height measurement. Items secured to roof racks, such as bicycles, surfboards, and kayaks, are not included in the height measurement.

Width is measured at the widest point of the vehicle or trailer body, including any cab or camper shells and flares around wheel wells. Projecting devices, such as lights, antennae, and mirrors, are not included in the width measurement.

Contact the DMV to get commercial registration for your oversized vehicle. We cannot make exceptions to the commercial registration requirement for Contractors Permits.

Commercial vehicles may park on-street after 8 PM if they are engaged in active work involving an emergency situation that poses a threat to health and safety. In these circumstances, the contractor’s oversized commercial vehicle must have a clearly visible notice in the driver’s side window that identifies the emergency location and address. Outside of emergency situations, oversized vehicles must be stored off-street. Residents may get up to 10 days’ worth of temporary permits in a 90-day period to park their oversized vehicle on-street at their home. Businesses that need to store their oversized vehicles after hours should secure an off-street parking location.

Contact New Beginnings Counseling Center about their Safe Parking Program. 

Contact the Public Works Permit Counter staff at 630 Garden Street to inquire about a Parking Restriction Waiver at (805) 564-5388.

Oversized vehicles are prohibited from parking on-street in the City of Santa Barbara unless they qualify for an exemption, or a Parking Restriction Waiver has been issued from Public Works Permit Counter, or an Oversize Vehicle Permit has been obtained from the Downtown Parking office.