Curious about parking next to a red curb

[neocorinne]

What is the name of your state? CA

I did not recieve a parking violation for this, I am merely wondering because I was worried that I might get a ticket.

I work in downtown San Diego, and it is often hard to find parking. I parked behind a car, in front of a red curb. I parked about 2 inches away from the other car's back bumper, and the back of my car was still 2-5 inches in the red zone. However, my tire was clearly not in the red zone. Even though I thought I might get a ticket, I parked there anyways, hoping for the mercy of an understanding cop.

I was wondering if your car has to be completely clear of the red zone - no bumper hanging over a couple inches or anything, or if only your tire has to be clear of the red zone.

The fact that I didn't get a ticket doesn't mean that I was legally parked. Either no one noticed it, or there was a nice cop who felt bad for my 3-inches-over-the-red parking just because the jerk in front of me parked 4 feet behind the guy in front of him.

I thought that you had to be completely in the clear, but everyone I've spoken to has a different opinion, ranging from "only your tire has to be clear" to "You can have 2 inches of your tire in the red" etc.

I've looked up the parking guidelines for the City of San Diego, and the DMV, and no one seems to address this topic.

Insight on this topic would be extremely appreciated.

[Zigner]

You were parked illegally.

[CdwJava]

You were parked obstructing an area of the red zone and you could have been cited.

- Carl