County supervisors Tuesday are set to consider new rules that would allow towing companies to destroy illegally parked vehicles without first storing them. (Marcello-Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local)

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting

  • 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, online or at 701 Ocean St., room 525, Santa Cruz.
  • Join on Zoom or call 669-254-5252, meeting ID 160 123 6676. To comment ahead of the meeting, email [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday. 

SANTA CRUZ >> Abandoned and illegally parked vehicles could be destroyed immediately after being towed, under rules to be considered by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. 

Tow companies often don’t pick up illegally parked vehicles cited by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office because they are required to store vehicles before destroying them, according to a county staff report. Under the proposed rules, tow companies could destroy vehicles immediately after towing them in areas of the county outside of cities.

Vehicle owners would be given a 10-day warning unless the Sheriff’s Office finds “a threat to public safety,” the report stated. For people who live in cars and RVs, “the destruction or removal of such a vehicle may render a person unsheltered overnight,” it stated.

Stay informed on Santa Cruz County’s biggest issues.

Santa Cruz Local’s newsletter breaks down complex local topics and shows residents how to get involved.

County staff recommended that the Sheriff’s Office coordinate with county outreach teams to connect people with shelters and other services. In April 2024, county staff published a draft policy outlining how and when a camp can be dismantled. 

Santa Cruz County does not have safe overnight parking sites for people who live in their vehicles. County staff wrote that in the city of Santa Cruz’s safe parking program, “the intended users frequently avoid the safe parking locations and instead it is frequently utilized by recreational users.” 

The city of Santa Cruz offers an overnight safe parking program downtown and a 24-hour RV parking program at the National Guard Armory in DeLaveaga Park. In November 2023, the 24-hour program had a 43-person waitlist that program leaders expected to grow.

Read more

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.

Learn about membership
Santa Cruz Local’s news is free. We believe that high-quality local news is crucial to democracy. We depend on locals like you to make a meaningful contribution so everyone can access our news.
Learn about membership

Reporter |  + posts

Jesse Kathan is a staff reporter for Santa Cruz Local. They hold a master's degree in science communications from UC Santa Cruz.