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

Run a valet operation in California

Exact run a valet operation compliance requirements for California: what is required, who is responsible, and the citations. Every figure traces to primary law.

Verified Jul 2026 Governed by: City of Los Angeles / Board of Police Commissioners · California Legislature

Valet Parking Operator Permit Required

No person shall engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of Valet Parking where movement of vehicles is on or over any public right-of-way or public property without a written Valet Parking Operator permit from the Board and payment of all required permit fees.

103.203(b)1 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Valet Parking Residential Sensitive Zone One-Day Permit

A Valet Parking Residential Sensitive Zone One-Day Permit shall also be required for a Valet Parking Operator conducting Valet Parking within a Valet Parking Residential Sensitive Zone, directing a person to park in the zone, or transporting a person parked in a zone to a location outside the zone.

103.203(b)2 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Master Valet Parking Operator Permit for Multiple Locations

Permittees that conduct, manage or operate multiple Valet Parking locations shall obtain a Master Valet Parking Operator permit, which applies only to those locations specifically identified in the permit at the time it is issued.

103.203(b)4 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Identify Valet Parking Equipment in Application

Each applicant for a Valet Parking Operator permit shall identify all Valet Parking equipment intended to be used during Valet Parking operations.

103.203(c)12 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Location of Valet Parking Signs and Attendant Stands in Application

The application shall furnish the location of any proposed Valet Parking signs and any proposed attendant stands.

103.203(c)11 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Attendant Stands and Equipment Placement on Sidewalk

Attendant stands and other equipment may be placed on the sidewalk in the public right-of-way during Valet Parking operations, as approved by the Board.

103.203(d)14 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Valet Sign Minimum Size and Lettering

Valet parking signs must not be less than 24 by 36 inches in size, with letters/numerals in contrasting colors; the "Valet Parking" and maximum charge portions must have a minimum lettering/numeral size of three inches per character. Signs must show the Permittee's name, business address and telephone number, hours of operation, police permit number, and valet parking fees.

103.203(d)7103.203(d)7 City of Los AngelesCity of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Sequentially Numbered Claim Checks

The Permittee shall issue a sequentially numbered claim check to each patron upon receipt of the patron's vehicle for valet parking, explicitly stating the terms and conditions under which the vehicle is accepted.

103.203(d)2 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Pedestrian Walkways Must Not Be Blocked

The Permittee shall ensure that pedestrian walkways are not blocked at any time during valet parking operations.

103.203(d)3 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Prohibition on Taking Possession/Parking in Public Right-of-Way

Unless expressly authorized on the permit, the Permittee shall at no time receive or take possession of a patron's vehicle upon any public right-of-way or other public property, park and leave standing any patron's vehicle upon any public right-of-way, or use the public right-of-way for vehicle pickup and drop off locations.

103.203(d)1 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Authorization Required for Parking on Private Property

The Permittee shall at no time allow any patron's vehicle to be parked upon private property without a signed statement of authorization by the owner or other person having legal control of such private property.

103.203(d)4 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Sufficient Attendants and Valid Attendant Permits

The Permittee shall employ Valet Parking Attendants sufficient in number to park vehicles so that traffic on streets or sidewalks will not be impeded, and shall ensure each person employed or acting as a Valet Parking Attendant has a valid permit issued by the Board.

103.203(d)5 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Locking of Parked Vehicles and Key Handling

The Permittee shall ensure Valet Parking Attendants who park a vehicle lock the ignition and the vehicle, remove the key, and place the key in a safe place, and do not place the key in or upon the parked vehicle.

103.203(d)6 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Rate Restriction to Posted Rates

The Permittee shall not charge any higher rates for parking than those rates posted.

103.203(d)8 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Closing Time Vehicle Security

At closing time, the Permittee shall lock all vehicles remaining in its possession (except those locked by the patron) and deposit the keys with a responsible person at a safe and convenient place for delivery to the person surrendering the claim check.

103.203(d)9 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Notice to Police for Vehicles Parked Over 48 Hours

The Permittee shall notify the police whenever a vehicle has been left in its possession or custody for a period in excess of forty-eight (48) hours without a prior contractual arrangement, to determine whether the vehicle is stolen or abandoned.

103.203(d)10 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Employee License, Uniform and High-Visibility Vest Requirements

The Permittee shall ensure all employees who drive or handle a patron's vehicle keys have a current valid California driver's license and wear a standard uniform conspicuously identifying the employee by full name and the valet business name; employees who receive, take possession of, or move a patron's vehicle upon any public right-of-way must wear high-visibility safety vests.

103.203(d)11 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Employee Background Restriction

The Permittee shall not allow any employee convicted within the previous seven (7) years of a felony or any offense involving violence, dishonesty, automobile theft, automobile vandalism, reckless driving, or driving under the influence to drive a patron's vehicle or handle a patron's vehicle keys.

103.203(d)12 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Records Maintenance Requirements

Every Permittee shall maintain a continuously updated list of names and residence addresses of employees who perform Valet Parking (produced on demand of any peace officer), and shall maintain all financial records related to the operation for a minimum of three years, available to the Office of Finance for inspection.

103.203(d)13 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Traffic Safety - No Queuing and Stopping Time Limits

The Permittee shall ensure the valet operation at no time interferes with normal traffic flow; no vehicle queuing is allowed on the public right-of-way at any time; and no vehicle may stop or stand at a drop-off or loading area longer than five minutes, except a maximum of ten minutes where signs indicating a ten minute limit are posted.

103.203(d)15 City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Minimums

The Permittee shall maintain comprehensive general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, combined single limit, and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.

103.203(d)16(i)a City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Garage Keeper's Legal Liability Coverage Minimums

The Permittee shall maintain garage keeper's legal liability coverage with minimum limits of $250,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

103.203(d)16(i)b City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Comprehensive Vehicle Liability Insurance Minimums

The Permittee shall maintain comprehensive vehicle liability insurance covering personal injury and property damage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, combined single limit, covering any vehicle in the possession of the Permittee, its agents and employees in conjunction with the operation of vehicles pursuant to the permit.

103.203(d)16(i)c City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Insurer Rating and Admission Requirement

Insurance must be placed with insurers admitted in the State of California or having a current A.M. Best rating of no less than A:6; deductibles may not exceed $5,000 per occurrence.

103.203(d)16(ii)-(iii)103.203(d)16(iii) City of Los AngelesCity of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Workers' Compensation Insurance Required

The Permittee shall obtain, carry, maintain and keep in full force and effect workers' compensation insurance as required by law.

103.203(d)16(vi) City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

City Named as Additional Insured

The Permittee shall maintain on file with the Board certificates of insurance on the City's form; the policies shall contain an endorsement naming the City as an additional insured and shall be primary to any coverage available to the City, and include provisions for waiver of subrogation.

103.203(d)16(iv)-(v)103.203(d)16(v) City of Los AngelesCity of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

Operating Without Permit is a Misdemeanor

Any person operating as a Valet Parking Operator without a permit as required in Subdivision (b) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

103.203(g) City of Los Angeles Verified Jul 2026

No Stopping/Parking Within Intersection or on Crosswalk

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within an intersection (except adjacent to curbs as permitted by local ordinance) or on a crosswalk, constraining valet staging locations.

22500(a)-(b) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No Stopping Within 15 Feet of Fire Station Driveway

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station (except clearly marked fire department vehicles).

22500(d) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No Stopping in Front of Public or Private Driveway

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle in front of a public or private driveway (except buses, schoolbuses, or taxicabs loading/unloading when authorized by local ordinance).

22500(e)(1) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No Stopping on Sidewalk

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle on a portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over a portion of a sidewalk (except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance).

22500(f) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No Stopping on Cut-Down Curb (Wheelchair Access)

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle in front of or upon that portion of a curb that has been cut down, lowered, or constructed to provide wheelchair accessibility to the sidewalk.

22500(l) California Legislature Verified Jul 2026

No Stopping Within 20 Feet of Crosswalk Approach

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle 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, unless a local authority establishes a different marked distance.

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

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Sources

  1. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(b)1)
  2. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(b)2)
  3. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(b)4)
  4. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(c)12)
  5. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(c)11)
  6. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)14)
  7. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)7)
  8. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)7)
  9. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)2)
  10. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)3)
  11. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)1)
  12. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)4)
  13. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)5)
  14. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)6)
  15. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)8)
  16. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)9)
  17. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)10)
  18. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)11)
  19. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)12)
  20. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)13)
  21. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)15)
  22. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(i)a)
  23. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(i)b)
  24. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(i)c)
  25. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(ii)-(iii))
  26. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(iii))
  27. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(vi))
  28. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(iv)-(v))
  29. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(d)16(v))
  30. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.203 - Valet Parking (operator permit) (103.203(g))
  31. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (constrains valet staging) (22500(a)-(b))
  32. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (constrains valet staging) (22500(d))
  33. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (constrains valet staging) (22500(e)(1))
  34. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (constrains valet staging) (22500(f))
  35. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (constrains valet staging) (22500(l))
  36. Cal. Veh. Code 22500 - Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking (constrains valet staging) (22500(n)(1)(A))

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

Last verified Jul 2026