Informational reference only. Not legal advice. Verify with the governing authority before you build.
Scenario · California

Post no-parking & tow-away zones in California

Exact post no-parking & tow-away zones compliance requirements for California: what is required, who is responsible, and the citations. Every figure traces to primary law.

Verified Jul 2026 Governed by: California Legislature (Cal. Veh. Code)

Private property tow-away sign size and lettering

Sign must be not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size, with lettering not less than one inch in height

22658(a)(1) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Private property tow-away sign required content

Sign must prohibit public parking, indicate vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, and contain the telephone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency and the name and telephone number of each towing company party to a written general towing authorization agreement

22658(a)(1) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Private property tow-away sign placement

Signs must be displayed in plain view at all entrances to the property

22658(a)(1) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Signs required before local parking prohibition is enforceable

Except for alleys, a local parking-restriction ordinance or resolution shall not apply until signs or markings giving adequate notice have been placed

22507(a) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No parking near crosswalk

A person shall not park within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present

22500(n)(1)(A) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Local authority may set different crosswalk parking distance if marked

A local authority may establish a different distance only if it adopts an ordinance finding the distance justified by established traffic safety standards and marks the different distance at the intersection using paint or a sign

22500(n)(1)(B) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Warning-only enforcement of crosswalk parking prior to Jan 1, 2025 unless marked

Prior to January 1, 2025, jurisdictions may only issue a warning and shall not issue a citation for a crosswalk parking violation unless the violation occurs in an area marked using paint or a sign

22500(n)(4) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No parking within 15 feet of fire station driveway

A person shall not park within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station (does not apply to marked fire department vehicles)

22500(d) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Signs required before removal of vehicles from prohibited-parking zones

Where local authorities have prohibited parking and authorized removal, a vehicle shall not be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal (except as provided in subdivisions (v) and (w))

22651(n) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

24-hour advance sign posting for highway maintenance removal

For removal of an illegally parked vehicle where the highway is needed for cleaning, repair, or construction or utility installation, signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed must be erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal

22651(l) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

24-hour advance sign posting for special highway use removal

Where highway use is authorized for a purpose other than normal traffic flow or movement of oversized equipment, signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed must be erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal

22651(m) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Sign posting for 24-hour parking removal in common interest developments

A vehicle parked more than 24 hours on highway within a common interest development may be removed only if signs required by Section 22658(a)(1) have been posted providing notice that vehicles parked more than 24 hours will be removed at owner's expense

22651(q) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Fire lane designation by sign

A fire lane may be designated by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place, clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane

22500.1 California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

Fire lane designation by painting/marking

A fire lane may alternatively be designated by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking it with the words "FIRE LANE" clearly visible from a vehicle, or by a red curb or red paint on the roadway edge marked with the words "FIRE LANE"

22500.1 California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No stopping or parking in designated fire lane

No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle along the edge of any highway, at any curb, or in any off-street parking facility designated as a fire lane by the fire department or fire district with jurisdiction

22500.1 California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

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Sources

  1. Cal. Veh. Code 22658 - Removal from private property; tow-away sign specifications (22658(a)(1))
  2. Cal. Veh. Code 22658 - Removal from private property; tow-away sign specifications (22658(a)(1))
  3. Cal. Veh. Code 22658 - Removal from private property; tow-away sign specifications (22658(a)(1))
  4. Cal. Veh. Code 22507 - Local authority to prohibit or restrict parking (signs required) (22507(a))
  5. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (22500(n)(1)(A))
  6. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (22500(n)(1)(B))
  7. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (22500(n)(4))
  8. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (22500(d))
  9. Cal. Veh. Code 22651 - Removal and tow authority (public roads) (22651(n))
  10. Cal. Veh. Code 22651 - Removal and tow authority (public roads) (22651(l))
  11. Cal. Veh. Code 22651 - Removal and tow authority (public roads) (22651(m))
  12. Cal. Veh. Code 22651 - Removal and tow authority (public roads) (22651(q))
  13. Cal. Veh. Code 22500.1 - Fire lanes (22500.1)
  14. Cal. Veh. Code 22500.1 - Fire lanes (22500.1)
  15. Cal. Veh. Code 22500.1 - Fire lanes (22500.1)

Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with your local building department and the current standards before you build.

Last verified Jul 2026