Curb Markings and Application Process

About Curb Markings

Curb markings manage parking to improve safety, access, and traffic flow. Property owners and businesses can request a marking if standard parking is causing problems. Have additional questions see curb marking details below!

How to Apply

Download and complete the appropriate request form (see 'Request Forms' below)
Include your review fee payment - see the adopted Fee Schedule for amounts
Submit the completed request form AND fee payment to:

Department of Public Works
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403

Requests are process first-come, first-served. Safety-related requests are prioritized. If approved, installation is scheduled based on staff availability and weather.

Request Forms

Yellow, White, Red, Green, Driveway Red Tipping
- General Curb Marking Request Form
Blue Curb:
- On-Street Accessible Parking Request Form
- ALSO SEE: Residential On-Street Accessible Parking Spaces Policy and Procedures

Fees

Fees apply when the marking benefits a specific property rather than the general public. See the adopted Fee Schedule for more information about curb marking fees.

Fee Type	When it's due	What it covers
Review Fee	With your application	Staff time to evaluate the request
Installation Fee	Before installation	Installation + upkeep for 2 years
Refresh Fee	After 2 years, if needed	50% of the current installation fee

NOTE: Property owners may not paint or repaint curb markings themselves.

Application Process

An application is received.
A parking occupancy study is completed.
A recommendation is provided in a memorandum.
If a curb marking is approved, a mailer for appeals is sent out.
Once the appeal period is complete, if there are no appeals, the curb marking is installed.

Curb Marking Details

Blue — accessible parking

Reserved for vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or license plate.
Blue curbs are available in residential areas when no reasonable off-street accessible parking option exists.
Residential On-Street Accessible Parking Spaces Policy and Procedures

Green — time-limited parking

Limits parking to 20 minutes between 7 AM and 6 PM, every day except Sunday.
Downtown zones have a 24-minute limit.
Common near retail and businesses with high turnover.

Red — no parking

No stopping, standing, or parking at any time.
Red zones protect visibility at corners, keep transit moving, and allow emergency access. Buses may stop in designated bus zones.
Red zones are either critical (safety-driven, like intersection corners) or non-critical (like mailbox or bus stop areas).
Report a car in a red zone: call the Police non-emergency line at (650) 522-7700 (24 hours).

Red tipping — driveway clearance

Short sections of red curbing (typically up to 5 feet) on either side of a driveway to improve visibility and maneuverability.
Also used to eliminate narrow spaces between driveways that cause blocking.
These zones are enforced like any red zone — including for the property owner.

Yellow — freight and passenger loading

Common in front of businesses with frequent deliveries.
Restricts parking to active loading and unloading between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, except Sunday.
- Passenger drop-off/pick-up: 3-minute limit
- Freight loading/unloading: 20-minute limit

White — passenger loading only

Common near schools, hospitals, senior facilities, hotels, and large gathering places.
3-minute passenger drop-off and pick-up only.
Restrictions apply 7:00 AM–6:00 PM, except Sunday — with these exceptions:
- Hotels: restrictions apply at all times
- Theaters: restrictions apply whenever open
- Schools: restricted during drop-off and pick-up times only