Palo Alto Candidates Proposed RV Parking Restrictions

Local candidates suggested new bans and signage to regulate the presence of RV dwellers on city streets.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Camping

Bold vector editorial illustration of a recreational vehicle parked under oak trees, depicting the topic of urban parking regulation. — Palo Alto candidates are debating new parking restrictions, including overnight bans and potential fees for RV dwellers using city streets. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your city implement stricter parking bans to manage the number of RVs on local streets?

Palo Alto candidates have proposed new measures to restrict RV parking, including a ban between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. and the installation of tow warning signs. These measures follow ongoing concerns regarding health, safety, and parking availability near local businesses.

Why it matters

Officials are looking to address complaints about insufficient parking for businesses and safety concerns regarding the estimated 150 individuals currently living in RVs on city streets. The proposal reflects broader regional efforts to manage street-side RV dwelling through regulatory oversight.

Palo Alto currently permits 40 RV spaces at Embarcadero Road and Coyote Hill Road, while approximately 150 RV dwellers live on city streets. The city also maintains a homeless shelter at 1237 San Antonio Road and provides additional RV parking at 2000 Geng Road.

The players

Kandis Westmore

She is a judge who issued a significant legal ruling in favor of RV parking restrictions in Sebastopol.

The details

Candidates proposed installing tow warning signs at city entrances to enforce new parking limitations. The potential policy includes a nightly ban on RV parking between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. and a proposed $20 nightly fee for use of the city's designated RV park.

In October 2022, four disabled RV dwellers sued the city of Sebastopol over local restrictions.
On November 22, 2024, Judge Kandis Westmore ruled in favor of Sebastopol's RV restrictions.

Culture Shift

The push for local regulations follows the legal precedent set by the 2024 ruling in favor of Sebastopol's RV restrictions. This reflects a broader trend among California municipalities seeking to utilize legal outcomes to justify increased enforcement of street parking bans.

The proposed 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. parking ban would directly change the daily routines of individuals living in RVs within city limits. Residents and local business owners may see changes in parking availability and traffic enforcement near business corridors.

The takeaway

Cities across the region continue to look at legal outcomes as a framework for managing vehicle-based homelessness. Implementing these restrictions often shifts the burden of finding parking to areas outside of the regulated jurisdiction.