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How do I report illegal parking in California?

Parking Enforcement Division
  1. Dispatch Center (818) 374-4823 or (213) 485-4184. Operators are on duty 24/7 to attend to reported parking violations such as a blocked driveway.
  2. Report an Abandoned Vehicle (800) 222-6366.
  3. Call 311. Report a faded curb zone. ...
  4. Parking Enforcement Offices.




To report illegal parking in California in 2026, the procedure varies by city, but generally involves contacting the local Parking Enforcement division or the non-emergency police line. For instance, in large cities like Los Angeles, you can use the MyLA311 app or call 3-1-1 to report vehicles blocking driveways or abandoned cars. In San Francisco, the SFMTA handles these reports through their specialized dispatch line. If a vehicle is blocking a fire hydrant or an active traffic lane, creating an immediate hazard, you should call the local police department's non-emergency number. Many California municipalities have also integrated AI-powered reporting systems in 2026, where you can upload a photo of the violation via a city portal to trigger a digital ticket or a dispatch. Always provide the vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate number, along with the exact address of the violation, to ensure a swift response from local authorities.

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Not everyone is aware of the 72-hour parking rule. As California Vehicle Code 22651(k) states, a vehicle is only allowed to park in the same spot on a public street for up to 72 hours.

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Parking and Driveway Cutouts (Blocking a Driveway) Your vehicle cannot extend into the downward curve part a driveway or park within a official red curb paint. If that is indistinguishable, then your vehicle cannot extend into the opening that would be reasonably used by a vehicle to access their property.

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USE OF STREETS FOR STORAGE OF VEHICLES PROHIBITED. (a) No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours.

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