Parking

Parking Enforcement

The Parking Enforcement unit enforces city and state parking ordinances including timed zones, parking meters, and other restricted parking areas to assist with the goal of ensuring sufficient parking spaces throughout the City.

Paying a Parking Citation

You may pay your parking fine online or in person at the Eureka Police Department Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Payments for parking tickets are due 21 calendar days following issuance.

Contest a Parking Citation

  • Submit a contest form online
  • Pick up from the EPD business department or download the Citation Contest Form (PDF) to:
    Request for Citation Review / Hearing
    Parking Citation Service Center
    P.O. Box 11923
    Santa Ana, CA 92711
  • Call 888-734-6210
  • If you contest a citation and you are still held liable, you may pay the citation or deposit the amount of the citation and request an administrative hearing. The request can also be made in person at the Eureka Police Department Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm

Meter Parking Using Smart Cards

Smart Cards are available through the Finance Office at Eureka City Hall. These are pre-paid cards used in parking meters to save money, instead of inserting cash. Meters deduct from the card's balance based on the actual time parked, not an estimate of anticipated time as done when using coins.

Residential Parking Permit (Eureka High School)

Residents living in the area surrounding Eureka High School are required to display a no-cost EHS Residential Parking Permits for vehicles parked on streets during the regular school year starting in January 2020. Applications will be renewed annually at the start of the school year.

Eureka High School staff and students will be required to park in provided parking lots or be subject to receiving a parking ticket.

Residential Parking Permit (Downtown / Old Town)

The intent of the residential parking permit program is to allow for residents within the Downtown/Old Town area to park in City parking lots beyond the parking time limits and without paying parking meter fees.

Residential Parking Permits may be obtained by eligible and qualified residents in accordance with the terms and provisions of the program as set forth below for an annual fee of $50.

Please return applications and proof of residency to the Engineering Department.

Report Abandoned Autos

To report an abandoned vehicle in the city limits of Eureka, contact the Abatement Team with the location, vehicle description, license plate number, and how long it has been abandoned.

Jury Duty Parking

If called to appear for jury duty, a Juror Parking Permit is attached to the summons for use while appearing in court. This should be detached from the jury summons and placed in plain view on your dashboard.

The Juror Parking Permit is only valid in Metered Lots or two-hour parking spaces. DO NOT park in private property parking lots or other restricted or posted areas. Do not park in a disabled parking spot unless permitted to do so. For further information visit the Humboldt Courts website.

Park Smart Tips

  • Lock your vehicle doors and windows
  • Remove valuables from your car
  • Remove all electronic adapters and cords
  • Park in well-lit, well-traveled areas
  • If you have an alarm system, activate it
  • Report any suspicious activity to the police or parking enforcement officer

Curb Markings

Red: Red indicates no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended.

Yellow: Yellow indicates stopping only for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or freight.

White: White indicates stopping for loading or unloading of passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.

Green: Green indicates time limit parking (generally 20 minutes - 2 hours).

Blue: Blue indicates parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans.

Disabled Parking / Placards

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, 22511.5 (a)(1): A disabled person (DP) or disabled veteran (DV) displaying special license plates issued under Section 5007 or a distinguishing placard issued under Section 22511.55 or 22511.59 is allowed to park for unlimited periods in any of the following zones:

  • In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol)
  • Next to a blue curb authorized for handicapped parking
  • Next to "limited time" green curbs
  • For free at any on-street metered parking space
  • In an area that indicates it requires a resident or merchant permit
  • At any on-street location with posted time limit zones

Disabled Placard and License Plate Limitations

  • Vehicles may not park in the crosshatched pattern located next to a space displaying the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). The crosshatched sections of these spaces are for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
  • Vehicles may not park next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing or parking. Vehicles may not park next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight.
  • Vehicles may not park next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.
  • Garages and Surface Lots (Off-Street Parking): DP parking spaces are available in all off-street parking lots and garages. However, patrons who choose to park in these facilities are obligated to pay any applicable parking rates. This applies to both private and public off-street parking garages and parking lots. California Vehicle Code privileges for free parking with DP placards and license plates only apply to on-street parking. For privately-owned off-street garages and parking lots which do not charge fees, vehicles with DP placards must abide by any posted ordinances or restrictions for those facilities.
  • Residential Permit Parking: Vehicles with DP or DV placards are not required to display a Residential Parking Permit when parking in a permit area. However, said vehicles may not park at any zones where state law or local ordinances absolutely prohibit stopping, parking or standing of any vehicles. Vehicles with DP or DV placards also must abide by street cleaning restrictions.
  • 72 Hour Parking Limit: Vehicles are not allowed to park on the street, in the same location, for more than 72 hours per Eureka City Code
  • Posted No Parking at Certain Times: These are signs that state "No Parking" and are followed with a specific time (i.e. 4 pm to 6 pm). No vehicles, including vehicles displaying a DP or DV placard, are allowed to park in these spaces during the posted time. However, vehicles are allowed to park in these spaces outside of the posted times as long as the vehicle is removed and not parked during the posted time restriction.