How long can a car stay in the street in California?

No vehicle may be parked continuously at one location on any public roadway for more than 72 hours. Parking is prohibited in alleys, except for the purpose of actively unloading goods or passengers, unless the alley is specifically designated as an alley parking zone.



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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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A vehicle that is stopped, parked, or left standing on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed.

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As used in this chapter, in reference to highways, “abandonment” is presumed to have occurred if a vehicle is left 72 hours or more on the highway, or is parked, resting, or otherwise immobilized on any highway or public right-of-way; or it lacks an engine, or transmission, or wheels, or tires, or doors, or windshield, ...

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To reinforce law enforcement's efforts to provide safer roads for California motorists, the State enacted CVC Section 14602.6 which authorizes local agencies to tow and impound vehicles for 30 days when driven by unlicensed, suspended or revoked drivers.

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It's technically illegal to sleep in your car in most areas of the city. However, so many people do it that it's almost impossible to enforce the law. Most of the time, police officers won't bother disturbing you as long as there are no complaints from other people.

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