Stanislaus County approves restrictions for larger-scale truck parking sites
Stanislaus County leaders approved policies this month for larger-scale truck parking facilities, completing a year’s work to draft regulations for a growing problem.
The Dec. 16 decision applies to proposals for parking more than 12 trucks and 24 trailers at a site in the unincorporated area. Those projects will require a general plan amendment or a rezone.
A proliferation of unpermitted truck parking on parcels in agricultural areas, sparking numerous complaints from residents, prompted the Board of Supervisors a year ago to appoint a subcommittee to study the problem. The board in November approved an ordinance amendment with restrictions on smaller-scale parking in agricultural zones under a home occupation permit or use permit.
The county intends to limit larger-scale truck parking facilities to sites within a half-mile of a state highway or an interstate freeway, while preventing a concentration of parking facilities. Under the new policy, approval of a general plan amendment or rezone will allow up to 80 trucks and 160 trailers on a 10-acre maximum parcel.
The ordinance will permit no more than two large-scale parking facilities within a mile radius. The facilities must have quality landscaping and screening and permanent restrooms for drivers and employees. In addition, the roads used for access have to meet county, city and state requirements.
An increase in illegal truck parking has raised public concerns about aesthetics, hazardous materials, farmland conversion, noise, road damage and code violations. Supervisor Vito Chiesa and Planning Commission Chairperson Carmen Morad served on the subcommittee, which considered complaints, feedback from trucking businesses and input from advisory committees.
County resident Milt Trieweiler spoke at the Dec. 16 public hearing, telling supervisors the new policies for larger-scale facilities are a disaster because they will lead to more destruction of quality farmland.
“It’s exactly what we don’t want to do,” he said, predicting it will encourage truck parking to spread like cancer. “We cannot have this going on. We are destroying the best farmland,” Trieweiler said.
Supervisor Terry Withrow explained the new regulations are designed to protect farmland. The county has been cracking down on widespread illegal truck parking in agriculture areas, he said. The ordinance amendments create stricter regulations, prevent concentrations in the unincorporated area and will allow some parking close to freeways.
Chiesa said 26 trucking outfits are facing code enforcement actions within his Turlock-area district. Stanislaus County’s agricultural advisory board approved the amendments with the understanding that county enforcement actions continue.
The regulations approved in November for smaller-scale facilities allow for one tractor-trailer and two trailers in the agricultural zone if the owner has a home occupation permit. The ordinance allows up to 12 tractor-trailers and 24 trailers if the county approves a use permit imposing regulations for the site, which can be no larger than 10 acres.
The regulations also were written to prevent concentrations of the smaller-scale truck parking facilities.
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM.
