Parallel Parking Tips

Give Others Room to Park

• Maximize availability. Pull as close to the vehicles in front or behind you as possible while leaving enough space (18 inches) for them to exit.
• If parking adjacent to a No Parking area, pull as close to the No Parking sign as possible without your bumper passing the sign. 

Check Your Bumpers

• Check your front and rear bumpers to make sure they are not extending into a driveway, crosswalk or no parking zone.  Be sure you leave at least 18 inches between you and the other car. 

Give Driveway Owners Space to Get In and Out

• A driveway begins at the top of the sloped edges, or the “curb cut.”  Do not let your car extend beyond the beginning of the curb cut. 

Check for Signs

• Always check for posted parking/no parking signs.  Look 100 feet in both directions for any sign. Please call 311 to report any defaced, deficient or missing parking signs.

Watch for Crosswalks

• It is illegal to park in any marked or unmarked crosswalks. Never block curb ramps located inside or adjacent to crosswalks. Leave at least three (3) feet of space between a curb ramp and your vehicle.

Face the Flow of Traffic

• Don't park against the flow of traffic. Your vehicle must face in the direction of the flow of traffic, even if it is otherwise parked legally.

18 Inches from the Curb

• When parking parallel (with the side of your car against the curb), make sure your wheels are within 18 inches of the curb.