Parking
The Office of Transportation is responsible for developing and implementing parking policies and programs that serve the needs of residents, employees, and visitors, while also supporting City transportation and environmental goals.
Looking to pay a parking citation?
All parking citations are paid through the Administrative Services Department. Find step by step instructions to pay online, by mail, or in-person.
Pay a Citation
Parking Policies & Rules
Parking Action Plan
The Palo Alto Parking Action Plan presents comprehensive parking strategies for developing parking policy and implementation plans in the City of Palo Alto, coordinated by the Office of Transportation. More information coming soon.
General Parking and Curb Rules & Regulations
- Parking is prohibited within 15 feet on either side of a fire hydrant as per California vehicle code.
- Parking is prohibited in a wheelchair parking space and the access space next to it unless the parked vehicle displays the placard issued by the DMV.
- On a five feet wide bike lane, parking is prohibited at all times.
- On a seven to eight feet wide bike and parking lane, parking is prohibited from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- On a 12 feet wide bike and parking lane, parking is allowed at all times.
- Any vehicle parked on a public street must be moved every 72 hours. Submit an Abandoned Vehicle Complaint online or call the Abandoned Vehicle Hotline at (650) 329-2258.
- Palo Alto streets are swept bi-weekly.
- To reserve curb space for moving trucks in residential areas, please call the Police Department’s Parking Enforcement Division at (650) 329-2258 and leave a detailed voicemail requesting “no parking” signs for curbs. A Community Service Officer will respond to the request.
- To reserve curb space or no parking signs for moving trucks in commercial areas please call the City’s Development Services department at (650) 329-2496 and press option 1 to reach a Project Coordinator.
- Stationary or moving pods on the public right-of-way require an encroachment permit. If you have questions, email pwecips@CityofPaloAlto.org or call (650) 329-2496 and press option 8.
Additional Parking Information & Resources
City-Owned Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
100+ City-owned Chargers Available Overnight Without Overstay Fees
The City makes it easier for residents who don’t have access to charging at home by making over 100 chargers available for community members to charge their vehicle overnight, 5 p.m. - 8 a.m. The cost is only $0.23 per kWh and there are no overstay fees. Below is the most current list of EV chargers available on City-owned properties.
| Location Name |
Address |
Number of Level 2 Ports |
| Bryant Street Parking Garage |
445 Bryant Street |
14 |
| Cambridge Parking Garage |
475 Cambridge Avenue |
10 |
| City Hall Parking Garage |
250 Hamilton Avenue |
13 |
| High Street Parking Garage |
528 High Street |
8 |
| Mitchell Park Library |
3700 Middlefield Road |
6 |
| Palo Alto Junior Museum |
1451 Middlefield Road |
6 |
| Rinconada Library |
1213 Newell Road |
3 |
| Sherman Parking Garage |
350 Sherman Avenue |
33 |
| Ted Thompson Parking Garage |
275 Cambridge Avenue |
8 |
| Webster Street Parking Garage |
520 Webster Street |
20 |
| Total |
|
121 Ports |
Find more EV charging in the region below
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Downtown Color Zone Parking
Valet Assist Program