Parking Guidance, Signs and Curb Markings
The Public Works Department maintains all traffic signals, parking meters, street markings and signs, including red, white, green and yellow curbs. The department also installs curb markings or signs to indicate parking regulations as described in the Municipal Code 10.26.020. Where no curb exists, markings may be painted on the most appropriate surface, or signs may be installed instead of or in addition to the markings. Once markings or signs are in place, it is unlawful for any driver to stop, stand or park a vehicle in violation of them.
Parking Rules and Guidelines
Always check for posted parking and street sweeping restrictions on the block. Visit the Street Sweeping page for more information. Use the Go Long Beach App or call 562-570-3264 to report any defaced, deficient or missing parking signs.
For the safety of the public, parking in alleys is not permitted in the city. Alleys must be available for emergency vehicles, i.e., fire trucks, ambulances, etc.
Parking Enforcement does not have the authority to remove unhoused individuals or RV encampments. Parking Enforcement can only issue citations and give parking warnings as needed. For assistance with RVs or unhoused individuals, call the Long Beach Police Department’s non-emergency line at 562-435-6711 or visit the Homelessness page.
No person who owns or has custody or control of an oversized vehicle may park it in a residential area on any public street. This does not apply when a valid permit is displayed inside the lower left corner of the driver’s windshield and is visible from the street. The permit must list the resident’s address and is valid only on the same block as the resident’s address, on either side of the street. A resident may obtain an oversized vehicle parking permit for a non-resident visitor who is temporarily staying with the resident under the same terms. Visit the Temporary Oversized Vehicle Permit page for more information on oversized vehicle permits.
Please observe the following parking regulations regarding painted curbs:
Red – No stopping or parking is allowed at any time for any purpose. Red curb markings may be used to supplement or replace signs that prohibit stopping.
Blue – Parking is for handicapped parking only and requires a disabled license plate or valid placard. Any person who has been issued a special identification license plate under the California Vehicle Code may apply to the City Traffic Engineer for the designation of an on-street parking space reserved for disabled persons. To apply, please review and complete the On-Street Disabled Parking Application.
Yellow – Stopping is allowed only to load or unload passengers or freight for no more than 2 minutes for passenger loading or unloading. The words "LOADING ZONE" shall be stenciled on the yellow paint or appropriate signs may be posted. This restriction applies from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Sundays and holidays.
White – Stopping is allowed only for loading or unloading of passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox, or, when stenciled “TAXICAB STAND," for the standing of taxicabs or vehicles for hire. No one may use a white zone for more than 2 minutes. Taxicabs or vehicles for hire at taxicab stands are exempt from this limit.
Green – Parking is limited to 10 to 30 minutes, as determined by the traffic engineer for the specific location, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, except Sundays and holidays. A legend noting the applicable time limit followed by "MIN. PARKING" shall be stenciled on the green, or appropriate signs may be posted.
** Report faded curb colors. Help us keep the colors bright and up to date by calling 562-570-3264.
Do not park a vehicle in any fire lane designated by signs or markings. Only City emergency vehicles may park in fire lanes.
It is illegal to park on a marked or unmarked crosswalk blocking pedestrian access to the sidewalk. The crosswalk is considered a prolongation of the sidewalk.
Do not stop, park or leave your vehicle within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension. Local authorities may set different distances if they mark it with paint or signage.
Do 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 access to the sidewalk.
No person shall park a vehicle within three feet of any sidewalk access ramp constructed at, or adjacent to, a crosswalk or at any other location on a sidewalk so as to be accessible to and usable by the physically disabled, if the area adjoining the ramp is designated by either a sign or red paint.
Do not park to block a public or private driveway. Exceptions can be made by filling out a request to Traffic Engineering at 562-570-6331.
Do not stop or park on any portion of the sidewalk or parkway.
Do not stop, park or leave your vehicle at an intersection.
Park with your right-side wheels parallel and within 18 inches of the curb. On one-way streets, you may park on either side as long as your wheels are parallel and within 18 inches of the curb, unless otherwise indicated by posted signs or markings. Motorcycles must be parked with one wheel or the fender touching the curb.
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or driveway entrance to any fire station. However, in parking-impacted areas, the City Traffic Engineer may reduce the no-parking distance next to fire hydrants with the concurrence of the Fire Marshall by painting the curb red.
Do not use objects like traffic cones or trash cans to reserve on-street parking spots. If you need a temporary No Parking or No Stopping zone for a moving van or special event, you may request one through Street Maintenance at 562-570-2726. To report objects being used to save street parking, call the non-emergency police line at 562-435-6711.
Do not park commercial vehicles weighing more than 3 tons in residential areas. View the City’s truck route map for approved commercial vehicle routes. Please note that only truck routes are posted with signs.
Do not stop, park or leave a vehicle standing on the roadway side of a vehicle that is already stopped, parked or standing at the curb.
When a sign has an arrow, the restriction applies to the side of the sign the arrow points toward. If there is no arrow, the restriction applies in both directions.
When there are multiple signs on a pole, look for the one that applies to the time period you plan to leave your vehicle parked. More than one sign could apply.
No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle may park that vehicle on any street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. If a vehicle is parked or left standing on a street for more than 72 consecutive hours, any officer of the Police Department may remove the vehicle in accordance with the California Vehicle Code.
Do not park on a bridge or tunnel except where permitted by signs.
A vehicle may be towed if it is in violation of a California Vehicle Code. For example:
- Vehicles found parked on public streets without current DMV registration (i.e., more than six months out of date, and without a current Dealer's Notice of Sale or valid paper plate)
- Vehicles parked in a hazardous location that obstruct traffic or access to one or more driveways
- Vehicles that are obviously disabled and inoperable
Visit the Find My Towed Car website to look for your vehicle.
The Towing Operations & Vehicle Storage Facility is located at 3111 E. Willow St. For more information, visit the Towing and Lien Sales page or call 562-570-2828.
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411 W. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: (562) 570-5000
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