Santa Barbara & Carpinteria

Ticket Dodger.

When the street sweeper comes down your block, what the city lots cost, and where parking is still free.

When's my street swept?

  • Sweeping, and the parking enforcement that goes with it, is canceled on the holidays below
  • Steady rain that fills the gutters usually cancels sweeping; showers don't. Check the City page or call the hotline before you park
  • There are no make-up days: sweeping picks up at the next regular day and time
  • Neighborhoods are swept in the daytime; commercial streets, main roads and downtown overnight

No sweeping on: Wed Nov 11 (Veterans Day), Thu Nov 26 (Thanksgiving), Fri Nov 27 (Day after Thanksgiving), Fri Dec 25 (Christmas), Fri Jan 1 (New Year's Day)

Rain or a holiday? Sweeping hotline (805) 897-1903

Rules checked Oct 30, 2026 on City of Santa Barbara, Street Sweeping. Schedules from the City's sweeping map, last updated by the City Oct 22, 2026. Street names matched from the City's street centerlines. The signs on your block win.

What parking costs.

Santa Barbara

Downtown city lots

First 75 minutes free, then $3 an hour

  • First 75 minutes free in the gated lots, once per car per 24 hours
  • Then $3 for each hour or part of an hour, $33 at most per 24 hours
  • Rates run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Accessible placard or plate: first 2½ hours free, then $3 an hour, $12 a day at most
  • Lots are open 24 hours. Longest stay 72 hours (cars left longer can be towed, except in the Railroad Depot lot); no vehicles over 22 feet

Helena self-service lot, 217 Helena Ave: $3 an hour, $15 a day; no free period

The 12 lots
  • Lot 2 Chapala Garage 914 Chapala St
  • Lot 3 Bus Depot 9 W Figueroa St
  • Lot 4 San Marcos 1120 Chapala St
  • Lot 5 Victoria 1220 Chapala St
  • Lot 6 Granada Garage 1221 Anacapa St
  • Lot 7 Library Garage 1115 Anacapa St
  • Lot 8 Bank Lot 1015 Anacapa St
  • Lot 9 Lobero Garage 921 Anacapa St
  • Lot 10 Ortega Garage 621 Anacapa St
  • Lot 11 Old Town 523 Anacapa St
  • Lot 12 Parker Village 11 W Gutierrez St
  • Lot 13 Amtrak 209 State St ($15 a day with a train or bus ticket)

Checked Oct 30, 2026 on City of Santa Barbara, Downtown Parking Lots

Santa Barbara

Waterfront and harbor lots

$3.50 an hour, $20 a day; Stearns Wharf first 90 minutes free

  • Self-pay lots: $3.50 an hour, $20 a day at most. There is no grace period
  • Harbor Main lot: $3.50 an hour or any part of an hour, $20 a day
  • Stearns Wharf: first 90 minutes free (no validation), then $4 an hour or any part of an hour, $40 a day
  • All waterfront lots close 2 to 6 AM, except Harbor Main and the Launch Ramp
  • Lots with maps: Harbor West, Garden Street, Palm Park, Cabrillo East, Cabrillo West and Leadbetter

Checked Oct 30, 2026 on City of Santa Barbara Waterfront, Self-Pay Parking and Waterfront rate and fee schedule

Carpinteria

Carpinteria

Free public parking, but watch the time limits

  • Public parking on the streets and in the city lots downtown and by the beach is free
  • Posted time limits are enforced, and you have to park inside the marked spaces
  • Lots at city parks are open sunrise to sunset
  • No overnight camping in vehicles on streets or in lots

Checked Oct 30, 2026 on City of Carpinteria, Parking Tips

Is parking free in downtown Santa Barbara?

The first 75 minutes are free in the City's gated downtown lots, once per car per 24 hours. After that it is $3 for each hour or part of an hour, up to $33 a day.

How much is parking at the Santa Barbara waterfront?

The City's waterfront self-pay lots cost $3.50 an hour, $20 a day at most, with no free period. Stearns Wharf gives the first 90 minutes free, then $4 an hour. Most waterfront lots close from 2 to 6 AM.

Is street sweeping canceled when it rains in Santa Barbara?

Usually, when steady rain fills the gutters, but not for showers. Check the City's street sweeping page or call the hotline at (805) 897-1903 before you park. There are no make-up days.

Every rule above was read on the linked official page on the date shown. Rates change, so the meter and the posted signs win. Map by OpenFreeMap, © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Something wrong? hello@sbsavvy.com

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