San Leandro Street Parking Limits Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of San Leandro manages street parking through the San Leandro Municipal Code and the San Leandro Police Department's parking enforcement division. As a city of approximately 91,000 residents with two BART stations (San Leandro and Bay Fair) and an active downtown commercial district, managing parking demand is an ongoing priority.

The fundamental street parking rule is the 72-hour limit: no vehicle may remain parked in the same spot on any public street for more than 72 consecutive hours without being moved. This applies city-wide to all vehicles, regardless of whether the street has posted signage. Moving a vehicle forward or backward a few feet does not constitute relocation — the vehicle must be moved at least one-tenth of a mile (approximately one block). Vehicles in violation of the 72-hour rule may be cited and towed. Residents may report abandoned or long-parked vehicles to the San Leandro Police Department non-emergency line at (510) 577-2740.

Near the San Leandro and Bay Fair BART stations, the city has established posted time-limited parking zones to prevent all-day commuter parking from overwhelming residential streets. These zones typically limit parking to 2 hours during weekday business hours (generally 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday) for non-residents. Posted signage indicates the specific restrictions for each block. BART riders are encouraged to use BART station parking lots and garages rather than street parking in surrounding neighborhoods.

San Leandro's downtown commercial district along East 14th Street (Estudillo Avenue to San Leandro Boulevard) features metered parking and posted time-limited zones. Meter rates and time limits vary by location. The downtown area also has several city-owned public parking lots that provide free time-limited parking for shoppers and visitors.

Street sweeping is scheduled on most San Leandro residential streets on a weekly or bi-weekly rotation. Specific sweeping days and times are posted on signs along each block face. During posted street sweeping hours, all vehicles must be removed from the swept side of the street. Street sweeping violations carry fines of approximately $55 to $65 per citation.

Additional parking restrictions include: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, no parking in marked red zones, no parking blocking driveways, no double parking, and no parking on the wrong side of the street (facing against traffic). Vehicles blocking fire hydrants may be cited and towed immediately.

San Leandro participates in the Alameda County DMV hold program — unpaid parking citations may result in a DMV registration hold preventing the vehicle owner from renewing their vehicle registration until all outstanding citations are resolved.