Oversized Vehicle Parking OrdinancePublic Works

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 alterating Fridays. Please call 805-564-5656 for any questions.

Enforcement started September 2017.

Your first temporary permit is available online, for free. For any subsequent permits, you will need to apply in our office to pay the fee due.

Contractor permit applications must be submitted in our office.

You can apply for disability permits online or in our office.  An office visit will be required if we need to inspect the vehicle. 

Click here for links to all online and application downloads.

Disability permits – free.

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

Contractor permits - $100/year for the 1^st 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.

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.