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Davis Expands Safe Parking Program for Homeless
New program allows people to sleep in their cars overnight at approved sites in the Northern California city.
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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The city of Davis, California has approved a new program that allows people to sleep in their cars overnight at approved sites. The program, run by the volunteer organization Heart of Davis, has been operating a pilot site with five parking spaces since last September. After the successful pilot, the city has now approved expanding the program citywide to both residential and commercial areas.
Why it matters
The program aims to provide a safe and regulated alternative to unregulated car camping, which can negatively impact neighborhoods and put people at heightened risk of crime and unsafe conditions. It also helps connect people without permanent housing, including some UC Davis students, with resources.
The details
The safe parking program requires sites to have restrooms, water, trash cans, and security. Each site can have up to eight parking spaces, and vehicles must have valid registration and leave during the day. The city will issue free permits to those running the sites. Program organizers say there have been no issues with crime or complaints from neighbors at the pilot site.
- The pilot program has been operating since last September 2025.
- This week, the Davis city council approved expanding the program citywide.
The players
Thomas Baur
The manager of the safe parking program.
Andrew Waterhouse
The treasurer of Heart of Davis, the volunteer organization running the program.
Donna Neville
The mayor of Davis, California.
Heart of Davis
A volunteer organization that has been operating a pilot safe parking program in Davis since last September.
What they’re saying
“The people in their cars sleeping at night overwhelmingly just want a safe place to lay their head.”
— Thomas Baur, Program Manager (cbsnews.com)
“The program's been very successful. We've had a number of people come through.”
— Andrew Waterhouse, Treasurer, Heart of Davis (cbsnews.com)
“I'm really excited that it has been so successful. This is that moment that we were hoping for.”
— Donna Neville, Mayor of Davis (cbsnews.com)
What’s next
The city will begin issuing permits to organizations that want to operate safe parking sites under the expanded program.
The takeaway
The safe parking program in Davis provides a regulated and secure alternative to uncontrolled car camping, helping connect people without permanent housing with resources while also addressing neighborhood concerns. It's a model that other cities may look to adopt as they grapple with homelessness and the challenges of vehicle-based living.
