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Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650/903-6344
Directions & Map
Hours
General Business:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.)
Walk-in Crime Reports:
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (7 days)
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Traffic and parking are the most frequent complaints we hear from the community. MVPD enforces parking regulations for safety reasons and to keep spaces available for stores, businesses and other facilities.
Parking Enforcement Officer Jennifer Lee in her electric vehicle.
There are two general categories of parking in the city:
1. City-controlled parking (city-owned lots and on-street parking spaces)
2. Private property parking, at businesses, apartments, etc.
City-owned Parking
To avoid citations in street parking and public parking lots, pay attention to time limits, fire lanes, and limitations indicated by painted curbs.
Time limits, where restricted, are posted on signs and/or indicated by painted curbs.
Fire lanes are marked, generally by a red curb. Parking in these areas is prohibited at all times. MVPD enforces fire-lane parking restrictions on both city owned or private property.
Private Property Parking
Generally, restriction of parking on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. Exceptions that MVPD enforces are handicapped and fire-lane regulations.
Business and apartment owners may restrict parking on private property to employees, customers or residents. Cars can be towed from private parking areas only if tow-away zone signs are posted at each entrance to the parking lot.
Often property owners hire a tow company. Owners may authorize the firm to tow violators without a request from the business. This means tow companies may drive by, at any time, to spot violators and collect tow income. Otherwise, property owners must initiate a tow. In either case, your car might disappear without warning, at your expense, if you violate posted signs on private property.
Handicapped Parking
Handicapped parking spaces are indicated by signs, blue and white handicapped symbols painted on the pavement and, in some cases, by a curb painted blue. To park in these spaces you must have a handicapped parking placard or license plates, both issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To obtain these, a doctor must certify your disability.
 Get a Handicapped Permit - Ask your physician about eligibility.
- Pick up the form at the DMV (also available at some doctors' offices).
- Have your doctor fill out and sign the form.
- When the permit arrives, display it according to enclosed instructions.
 Handicapped Parking
Parking in handicapped parking spaces, even briefly, by persons without a handicapped placard or plates, is prohibited. MVPD enforces handicapped parking regulations on both city or private property.
Towing
If signs restricting parking are posted, cars on private property may be towed. Cars on public property may be towed if: - They block a driveway.
- Five or more parking tickets have been issued.
- Vehicle registration expired over six months.
- Abandoned vehicle (has not been moved for 3 or more days).
If your vehicle is not where you parked it, look for a tow-away zone sign that indicates where to call. If none, call police non-emergency incidents (650/903-6395) to find out if your car has been towed.
Get my car back after it's been towed?
If it was towed from private property, you will need to contact the tow company (see signs posted). If it was towed from public parking zones, the registered owner must come to MVPD (Directions & Map), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (7 days a week). Bring valid drivers license and be prepared to pay the release fee ($75.). MVPD accepts cash, check, money order or credit card.
Abandoned Vehicles
Mountain View tries to keep city streets free of abandoned vehicles, which reduce the number of available parking places and can be unattractive in our neighborhoods. If a car is parked in the same location, on a public road, for more than 72 hours, it may be considered abandoned and get towed. If you have a non-operable vehicle on a public road, you need to tow it to a repair facility or your home. Note, however, there are no ordinances prohibiting unattractive vehicles.
When there's a chronic handicapped parking problem at a specific location?
Yes. Phone the Traffic Hotline: 650/903-6146, so we can monitor the location to make sure handicapped spaces are being properly used.
When I see the same car parked in the same place for a long time?
Yes. Call the Abandoned Vehicle Hotline: 650/903-6358.
When a parked car blocks my driveway?
Yes. Phone non-emergency incidents: 650/903-6395. The vehicle can be cited and/or towed.
When a parked car violates posted signs on my private property?
No, do not call the police department. Call the towing company indicated on your signs.
When my car needs repairs and won't be moved for more than a day?
If your car will be on public property for more than 72 hours, you should have it towed to avoid the expense of city-ordered towing and storage.
When I see a commercial vehicle double parking or otherwise violating parking regulations?
Yes. Phone non-emergency incidents: 650/903-6395. | | $280 Fine
Parking illegally in handicapped zone
Wouldn't you rather spend it on something else?
 Items Stolen from Parked Cars - Cell phones
- Laptop computers
- Stereo systems
Painted Curbs
Red
No parking any time.
Loading zone, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No stopping except to load or unload passengers (3 minute limit), or materials (20 minute limit).
White
Passenger loading zone, 24x7.
No stopping except to load or unload passengers (3 minute limit).
Blue
Handicapped parking only.
Green
Time limit: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sunday & holidays
Parking limited to time on posted signs.
Move Your Car
It is unlawful to park a vehicle on a public street, without moving it, for more than 72 hours.
Was my car towed?
Look for tow-company signs. If none, then call:
Non-emergency Incidents
650/903-6395.
Car blocking your driveway?
Non-emergency Incidents
650/903-6395.
Abandoned Vehicle?
On public property only:
Abandoned Vehicle Hotline
Report online.
650/903-6358
Questions about Abandoned Vehicles?
Dave Halford
650/903-6745
Report Traffic or Parking Problems?
Traffic Hotline
650/903-6746
Other Issues?
Email
650/903-6344
More Police Contacts | | | | |
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Can I perform auto repairs on my car while it's parked on the street?
Minor repairs, such as changing a tire, can be performed if you are not interfering with traffic. Significant repairs, such as vehicle on jacks, missing engines, etc., violate local and/or state laws and may result in citation or towing.
Also, if you car is parked for more than 72 hours, it may be towed.
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Can the police open my car when I've locked my keys inside?
No. Because of potential damage and liability, the police cannot open your car, unless there is a child or animal trapped inside. Otherwise, you should contact an auto club, a locksmith or tow company.
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How do I get my car back after it's been towed?
Towed from private property: contact the tow company, per posted signs, which are required for private-property towing.
Towed from public parking zones: registered owner must come to the police department, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (7 days a week). Bring a valid drivers license and be the release fee ($75). The department accepts cash, check or money order.
Don't know who towed your car? Look for signs. If you don't find any towing signs, contact the police department: 650/903-6395.
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How do I set up a legal tow zone on my private property?
Contact a tow company. Most will provide signs at little or no cost. If not, you can purchase them from sign vendors. You do not need to notify MVPD to create the zone or to tow vehicles.
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How long can I park my car on a public street?
On public roads, a vehicle must be moved from at least 1,000 feet (approx. 2/10ths of a mile) every 72 hours. If a vehicle is parked longer, the police department may tow it, at the owner's expense.
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If I spot an abandoned vehicle on a public street, what should I do?
Call the Abandoned Vehicle Hotline: 650/903-6358. Provide vehicle description, license plate number (if any) and location. It's also helpful to leave your name and number.
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If my car gets towed, how much will it cost to get it back?
Typical costs to retrieve a towed car are:
Tow charge: $165.
Storage (if more that 4 hours): $50. per day.
Release fee: $75.
Rates may increase at any time without notice.
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If there is no parking available in an appropriate zone, can I double park to make a delivery?
No. Double parking is prohibited on all Mountain View streets.
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My broken-down car is parked on the street or in a public parking zone. I can't afford to get it fixed right now. What should I do?
It must be removed from street or public parking. If it is not driveable, you should have it towed. If you delay and the police have it towed, it will cost you more to get it back than if you had arranged towing.
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There's never enough parking for my business. Is there something I can do?
On private property, you may declare a tow-away zone (i.e. parking for for customers and/or employees only). Contact a tow company for signs, which must be posted at all parking entrances, and to tow vehicles from premises.
Public parking is at a premium in certain areas of the city, such as downtown. In areas with time restrictions, the police provide parking enforcement in order to maintain parking turnover. If your area has time restrictions, and you believe it's not being enforced, contact the Traffic Hotline (650/903-6146) to request enforcement.
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What happens when the police department gets a complaint about an abandoned vehicle?
The police will locate the vehicle and determine its status. The vehicle will be marked with a sticker indicating that it is presumed abandoned. After an appropriate grace period, the vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense.
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What qualifies as an abandoned vehicle?
Any vehicle that has not moved from the same spot for over 72 hours, or is visibly inoperable because it's missing essential parts, such as wheels, transmission or engine, may be considered abandoned. If it is parked on a public roadway, it may be towed at the owner's expense.
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