PERMITS and GENERAL QUESTIONS

When does the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance enforcement begin?

Enforcement of the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance began on December 4, 2023.

How do I report an oversized vehicle that is illegally parked on my street?

If you would like to report a violation of the ordinance, please call the Santa Cruz Police Department at: (831) 471-1131 with the following information: location of the vehicle, license plate number, make and model of the vehicle, color of the vehicle, and the violation you are reporting.  

Where can I park my oversized vehicle during the day?

Oversized vehicles can be parked on City streets without a permit during the hours of 5am-12am, except in areas posted with other regulations limiting parking during those hours in which the vehicle does not meet the posted requirements. (Note that enforcement will start on December 4, 2023.)

When can’t I park my oversized vehicle on City streets?

Oversized vehicles cannot park on City streets between the hours of 12am-5am except by displaying a valid oversized vehicle permit. (Note that enforcement will start on December 4, 2023)

Where and when do I get the oversized vehicle permit?

Oversized vehicle permits will be available starting on November 6, 2023 at the Parking Office in the Locust Garage at 124 Locust Street, M-F, 9am-430pm.

What types of oversized vehicle permits will be available, how long will they be valid, and how much will they cost?

The Municipal Code currently contemplates four types of oversized vehicle permits: (1) residential permits, (2) guest permits, (3) hotel guest permits, and (4) contractor permits. (See SCMC 10.40.120.) Read permit guidelines here.

• Oversized Vehicle Residential Permits will cost $12.00 per year and will allow a resident to park an oversized vehicle for four periods of up to 72 consecutive hours per calendar month.
• Oversized Vehicle Guest Permits will cost $5.00, will be available for guests of residents, and will allow the guest to park for 72 hours.
• Oversized Vehicle Hotel Guest Permits will be available for hotels to purchase for 72 hour guest use and will cost $5.00 per (72 hour) permit.
• Oversized Vehicle Contractor Permits will cost $30.00 per year and will allow a qualifying resident and vehicle to park nightly.

How does the oversized vehicle permit work if in a residential parking program?

To avoid a citation between the hours of 12am-5am, an oversized vehicle should display a valid oversized vehicle residential, guest, hotel guest, or contractor overnight permit.  To avoid citation during all hours in a residential parking program zone, a valid residential permit should also be displayed. 

I have a visitor coming from out of town with an oversized vehicle. What do I do?

Oversized Vehicle Guest permits will be available for purchase starting on November 6, 2023 at the Parking Office in the Locust Garage at 124 Locust Street, M-F, 9am-430pm.

I am coming to town with an oversized vehicle. What do I do?

Only permitted residents, guests of a residents, guests of hotel applicants, and contractors can park on city streets with a valid oversized vehicle permit displayed during the hours of 12am-5am. All other oversized vehicles are not permitted on city streets during the hours of 12am-5am.

Where can I dump blackwater/greywater? 

The 76 gas station at Soquel Drive/Highway 1 (1500 Soquel Drive) has a paid blackwater/greywater dumping station. The City is currently reviewing potential locations where we can develop a dumping station. 

What local campgrounds can I park my oversized vehicle/RV/trailer at?

The following recreational vehicle facilities are located within the Coastal Zone in the Santa Cruz Area:

• Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park (15 RV sites)
• New Brighton (100 RV sites)
• Sunset Beach (81RV spaces)
• Seacliff State Beach (26 full hookups, 37 no hookups)
• KOA Costanoan (65 RV sites)
• KOA Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay (Manresa State Beach) (120 RV sites)

Many other RV facilities are available outside the Coastal Zone as well. Each campground has their own fees. Please visit campground websites for more information.

I own a hotel. How does the oversized vehicle permit work for guests?

Starting on November 6, 2023, hotel applicants will be able to purchase oversized vehicle permits for their guests at the Parking Office in the Locust Garage at 124 Locust Street, M-F, 9am-430pm. Hotel guests may park on city streets adjacent to the hotel for 72 hours while displaying a valid oversized vehicle guest permit. Note that in a residential parking program zone, a valid residential permit must also be displayed. 

I have a large vehicle for work. Do I need to get oversized vehicle parking permit?

If your vehicle meets the oversized vehicle definition and you desire to park overnight on City streets, you will need to get a permit before December 4, 2023.

I have received an OVO citation and my oversized vehicle in no longer operable. What can I do?

Individuals who receive OVO citations while dealing with mechanical failures which render their vehicle temporarily inoperable can contact the Parking office at: (831) 420-6100 for citation appeal information and options.

I have questions about the oversized vehicle permits that are available. What City department can I call?

Call the Parking office at: (831) 420-6100.

I got my first citation for parking an oversized vehicle overnight on City streets. What happens?

The first citation for parking an OV overnight will be considered a warning, and it will be dismissed by the City.  Please heed the warning and make a plan for legal overnight parking of your OV. Subsequent citations will not be dismissed, and you will need to either pay or request administrative review of those tickets. 

CITATIONS QUESTIONS

I have questions about a citation that I received on my oversized vehicle. What City department can I call?

Call the Parking office at: (831) 420-6100.

I got my first citation for parking an oversized vehicle overnight on City streets. What happens?

The first citation for parking an OV overnight will be considered a warning, and it will be dismissed by the City.  Please heed the warning and make a plan for legal overnight parking of your OV. Subsequent citations will not be dismissed, and you will need to either pay or request administrative review of those tickets. 

How do I pay or contest a citation I received for parking my oversized vehicle overnight?

The process for resolving parking citations through appeal or payment can begin at the City’s Parking Office (124 Locust St.), Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, by following the guidance on the reverse side of the citation, or by visiting the City’s Parking website here.

To contest a citation, the registered owner, driver, or lessee of the cited vehicle must request an administrative review of the parking citation within 21 days of the date printed on the front of the citation. The request may be made by mailing a written explanation of why you believe the vehicle was cited in error to the Santa Cruz Parking Office, P.O. Box 1870, Santa Cruz, CA 95061‐1870.

Does the City offer payment plans for OVO related tickets?

Yes, the City can work with you on a payment plan. Call the Parking office at: (831) 420-6100 or stop by the Parking Office in the Locust Garage at 124 Locust Street, M-F, 9am-430pm.