Quick answer:

No stopping, standing, or parking. Even with the engine running and your foot on the brake, if the wheels ain’t moving, you’re breaking the law. A parking ticket for stopping in the red zone in California will cost you $98. Leave the car parked there? Expect to pick your car up from a local towing lot.

More details on red curbs:

A curb painted red means you cannot park OR stop there, even if you are in the car when it’s running. I’ve received a parking ticket for dropping someone off at a red curb (unknowingly) – it was recorded from the camera on a parking enforcement vehicle from 50 yards behind me. I didn’t know until it arrived in the mail a month later. Super bummer.

Alas, official red curbs are painted for a reason. They are either used to reserve a space for emergencies, improve the flow of traffic, or allow ample room for cars to see who’s coming as they make a turn.

Typically, you’ll find red zones at:

• Edges of driveways
• Intersection corners
• Bus stops
• Fire hydrants
• Curb ramps