FAQs • Rancho Santa Margarita, CA • CivicEngage

What can I do about vehicles parked in front of my house?: Anyone may park their vehicle on a public street as long as it is legally parked and properly registered. Any vehicle that is parked on the street for more than 72 hours can be cited and ultimately towed away at the owner’s expense. If a vehicle is parked longer than 72 hours, please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 949-770-6011 to report the location and description of the vehicle in violation.

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Vehicles (Police Services)

1. I was involved in a traffic collision and an officer took a report. What happens with that information and how do I get a copy of that report?: If you were involved in a traffic collision in Rancho Santa Margarita and an officer was called to the scene to take a report, in most instances, the case will proceed as follows: The officer who took the information will provide you with a Case # and will write a report that is submitted to the Traffic Investigation Office in Aliso Viejo 949-425-1860. After approval by a Traffic Investigator, the report will become available through the Orange County Sheriff's Support Services Records Division at 714-834-6454 approximately 10-14 working days after the report is made.

Accident reports dated after September 2008 are also available online at the Orange County Sheriff's Office website, under the "E-services" section of the website.

2. How do I contest a parking ticket?: Please refer to the back of the citation. An explanation of the process to contest the citation is printed on the reverse side of the citation.

3. My vehicle has been towed. How do I find out where it is being stored and get it out?: You will need to obtain the vehicle license plate number or VIN. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is indicated on your vehicle registration form or pink slip. Call the Orange County Sheriff's Dispatch desk at 949-770-6011 to confirm that the vehicle was towed, why it was towed, who was responsible, and the name and phone number of the tow company. Then contact the tow company to find out what will be required to get the car back.

If there is a "hold" on the vehicle and it was towed from within Rancho Santa Margarita, contact the Administrative Sergeant for Rancho Santa Margarita at 949-635-1817. If there is a "hold" on the vehicle and it was towed from any city other than Rancho Santa Margarita, contact the Administrative Sergeant for the city in which the tow originated.

4. My vehicle has been impounded. How do I get it back?: If a vehicle has been impounded due to an unlicensed driver, suspended license or any other traffic violation and it was towed from within Rancho Santa Margarita, please contact the Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services Administrative Sergeant at 949-635-1817 or come in to Police Services located at 22112 El Paseo in the City Hall complex during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to complete an impound hearing request form. This form is also available online.

5. What can I do about vehicles parked in front of my house?: Anyone may park their vehicle on a public street as long as it is legally parked and properly registered. Any vehicle that is parked on the street for more than 72 hours can be cited and ultimately towed away at the owner’s expense. If a vehicle is parked longer than 72 hours, please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 949-770-6011 to report the location and description of the vehicle in violation.

6. Whom do I call to report a possible abandoned vehicle on my street?: California state law states that vehicles parked on the street over 72 hours may be considered abandoned vehicles. Please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 949-770-6011 to report the location and description of the vehicle. Parking control staff will come out and check to make sure the vehicle is not stolen, confirm it is properly registered, and mark the vehicle's tire. The vehicle can be cited 72 hours after it is marked and ultimately towed away at the owner's expense. For abandoned vehicle abatement purposes, the vehicle will be monitored for 10 days prior to being towed.

7. What can I do about speeding vehicles on my street?: If speeding vehicles on your street are a long-time recurring issue, contact Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services and speak with the Administrative Sergeant at 949-635-1817 to discuss options such as the deployment of our radar trailer equipped with speed display. If you observe a speeding vehicle, immediately call Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 949-770-6011 to give a description of the vehicle and, if possible, its license plate number. The sooner you call the better chance we have of locating the speeding vehicle.

8. What are the regulations regarding recreational and oversized vehicle parking on a public street?: The City of Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Section 12.02.060 defines an oversized vehicle as any vehicle with a length in excess of 25 feet, or with a width in excess of 90 inches, or with a weight in excess of 10,000 pounds. Please see the Recreation and Oversized Vehicle Parking page for more information.

9. Whom should I contact regarding traffic laws and enforcement of traffic laws?: Please contact Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services at 949-635-1817 for questions related to traffic laws and the enforcement of those traffic laws.

10. Where can I park my recreational vehicle?: Currently, there is no parking allowed on city streets for storage or long-term parking of recreational vehicles/motor homes. For a list of available RV storage sites, please check online or a local phone directory.