Overnight residential parking

The parking of any vehicle is prohibited between the hours of 2-5 a.m. on any residential street, or within 300 feet of any residential area in Menlo Park. The parking ordinance is in effect 7 days a week (City observed holidays exempted).

In order to avoid being issued a citation, parked vehicles must have a valid overnight parking permit displayed or a valid DMV issued disabled person placard or disabled person license plates.
Scratch Off Permit Date

Temporary overnight parking permits


Each Menlo Park household has 50 temporary permits available for purchase between January and June and another 50 available July through December. Proof of residency is required for purchase. Permits are $2 each and can be purchased in advance and used as needed. We accept cash, check and Visa/MasterCard.

Permits are available for purchase online and in person at the main police department.

We are unable to offer refunds or exchanges for permits.

Annual overnight parking permits


Certain addresses in Menlo Park may qualify for an annual overnight parking permit. Qualifying addresses are limited to those apartment buildings that lack adequate off-street parking spaces (less than two spaces per unit) and are zoned R3.

Contact us to see if your address qualifies and has permits available.

If eligible to purchase an annual permit the cost is $150. The annual permit cycle begins September 1 and expires August 31 of the following year. Permit costs are prorated by month if purchased after the onset of a permit cycle.

All applicants interested in purchasing an annual overnight permit are required to present a lease or utility bill as proof of residency and current California vehicle registration. The same name must be listed on both documents. We are unable to issue permits to vehicles registered outside of California. 

History and purpose of the ordinance


Since being enacted in 1963 Menlo Park’s overnight parking ordinance has been upheld by the courts, survived several majority votes of city residents and has been actively enforced since its inception. The benefits of the ordinance to city residents and businesses are many:
  • A cleaner and better-looking city.
  • Better distribution of cars parked overnight in areas with higher population density. 
  • Easier access to structures and streets during nighttime emergencies.
  • Issuing permits assures that vehicles belong to residents and their guests.
  • Less overnight crime by reducing suspect and possible victim vehicles.
  • Parking enforcement officer’s presence deters potential criminals from committing property crimes.
  • Streets are free of parking congestion.
  • The City’s ability to provide street cleaning and maintenance is unobstructed.
  • Suspicious, stolen, abandoned and disabled vehicles are easily checked, identified and removed.
  • Residents are able to easily identify vehicles that are unfamiliar to the neighborhood.