Many cities around our Fullerton and Los Angeles yards restrict overnight street parking. When residents, guests, and neighbors can't leave a car on the street overnight, those cars often end up in apartment guest spaces, shopping center lots, and church lots. Knowing your city's rule helps you set and explain your own property's parking rules.
The rules below come from each city's own website, municipal code, or police department notices. Cities change these rules and pause enforcement around holidays, so always check the city's current information before relying on it.
Orange County and nearby cities
- Fullerton: on-street parking is restricted citywide from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. unless a street is posted otherwise (Fullerton Municipal Code 8.44.080). The city runs an early-morning parking permit program and has discussed changes to enforcement.
- Brea: overnight parking is prohibited on city streets, city structures, and city lots from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Residents without enough off-street parking can apply for an annual permit, and residents can self-issue short-term guest permits.
- La Habra: the city has enforced an overnight street-parking ordinance since 1969, with permits issued through the La Habra Police Department.
- Cerritos: parking on public streets is prohibited from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. without a city overnight permit (Cerritos Municipal Code 10.02.040). Households can get annual permits plus a limited number of temporary permits each year.
- Anaheim: some streets are in residential permit parking districts. Under rules adopted in 2018, apartment owners have to show they enforce parking on their own property before nearby streets can qualify for permits.
- Santa Ana: residential permit parking districts are created by City Council resolution, and RVs can't park overnight on city streets.
- Garden Grove: oversized vehicles such as RVs and large trailers need a city permit to park on public streets.
Los Angeles area
- City of Los Angeles: Overnight Parking Districts restrict parking on designated streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. to vehicles with resident permits (LAMC 80.54). Preferential parking districts limit other streets to permit holders.
- Pasadena: overnight street parking has been banned citywide from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. since 1948, with overnight permits available to residents.
- South Pasadena: parking on a public street or in a city lot for more than 30 minutes between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. requires an overnight permit.
- Alhambra: overnight parking on city streets is restricted from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. without a permit.
- Cudahy: the city runs an Overnight Street Parking Program for residents.
What this means for private property
City overnight rules apply to public streets, not private lots. Your property sets its own rules, and California's towing law requires them to be backed by proper signs before vehicles can be towed. In cities with strict street rules, expect more pressure on your guest spaces and open lots, especially from neighbors.
- Decide who may park overnight: residents with permits, registered guests, or no one
- Post the rule clearly at every entrance along with the required tow-away sign
- Give residents an easy way to register overnight guests
- Make sure someone authorized by the property is available to authorize tows at night, since California requires that person to be present for ordinary violations
Manage a property near Fullerton or East LA? Email info@kotowingandrecovery.com for a free property walk. Tow-away signs and curb painting are free with a towing agreement.