How Centennial Handles Parking Rules: A Practical Guide

Centennial maintains 86 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with parking rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Centennial falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Driveway Rules

Centennial bars parking that blocks a driveway approach or a public sidewalk, and bans parking or loading in a way that cuts off access to other spaces or fire lanes.

Key details: Driveway approach: parking across it prohibited. Sidewalk parking: prohibited. Fire lane blocking: no Director waiver allowed. Small-site waiver: sites under 1 acre only.

Blocking a driveway approach, sidewalk, fire lane, or access aisle is a Land Development Code violation enforced through the City's code compliance process; fire lane obstructions can also draw fire department enforcement.

Abandoned Vehicles

Centennial bans keeping a junk or inoperable vehicle anywhere visible on public or private property, allowing it only inside a fully enclosed structure or screened by a solid sight-blocking fence.

Key details: Visible junk vehicles: Prohibited on any property. Exception: Screened fence or enclosed structure. First-offense fine: $250 to $2,650. Repeat fine floor: $400, then $500 within 12 months.

Enforced as a nuisance under Chapter 7 Article 1: municipal court fines run $250-$2,650 for a first violation, rise to a $400 minimum for a second and $500 for a third within 12 months, plus court costs.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Centennial actively enforces its abandoned vehicles requirements.

Street Parking Limits

In designated Residential Parking Permit Districts near high schools, state parks, or major venues, Centennial requires a City-issued permit to park on the street at all, under Sec. 8-2-100.

Key details: Where it applies: Petitioned Residential Parking Permit Districts. Permit required: Resident, visitor, or special event. Visitor permits: Max 3 per address/year. Visitor permit range: Within 400 ft of residence. Enforced by: Arapahoe County Sheriff's deputies.

Parking without a required permit, or misusing a visitor or special event permit, is unlawful under Sec. 8-2-100 and enforced by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's deputies acting for the City under Sec. 8-2-110.

Compared to other cities, Centennial takes a harder line on street parking limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Centennial bars parking campers, RVs, trailers, and manufactured homes on residential rights-of-way except for 48 hours at a time, per Model Traffic Code Section 1214 as adopted at Sec. 8-1-30(5).

Key details: RV/trailer limit: 48 hours max on street. Reset period: 24-hour gap required. Commercial vehicles: Barred except loading/servicing. Inoperable vehicles: Banned outright, $50 min fine. Location rule: Must park adjacent to own home.

General violations of Section 1214 are punished under Sec. 2-3-440's default traffic fine schedule; parking an inoperable vehicle carries a stated minimum fine of $50 under Sec. 8-1-80(2)(c).

This is one of the stricter rules in Centennial's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Loading Zones

Centennial requires off-street loading bays with set minimum dimensions and bars trucks from extending into the public right-of-way while loading.

Key details: Min. loading bay width: 12 feet. Min. length (standard): 25 feet. Min. length (semi-trailer): 60 feet. Min. vertical clearance: 14 feet.

Loading facilities that fail to meet the dimensional standards, or trucks that block the right-of-way while loading, are a Land Development Code compliance issue enforced through the City's development review and code enforcement process.

EV Charging

Centennial, Colorado permits Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as an accessory use in all zone districts with no Development Order. On residential and institutional parcels only Private Use stations qualify. Section 12-5-306 sets connector heights of 36 to 48 inches, screening for support equipment, required signage and separate rules for single-family homes.

Key details: Accessory use: Permitted in all zone districts, no Development Order required. Residential or institutional parcels: Private Use stations only as accessory; Public Use not permitted. Connector height: 36 to 48 inches from the surface where attached. Support facilities: Screened on all sides by opaque fencing, landscaping or walls. ADA rule: One ADA compliant stall for every 25 EV stalls.

Section 12-5-306 prints no penalty clause of its own. What it prohibits is specific: attaching a station to a bench, fence, sign, trash can or tree, letting cords or equipment make a parking space unusable, placing bollards, curbs, wheel stops, trash cans, signage or benches so they block use of the charger, mounting outlets outside the 36 to 48 inch range, and leaving support equipment unscreened. A primary-use station also has to clear the Division 14-3 approval process and Section 12-4-203.

The Bottom Line

Centennial is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Centennial, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Centennial can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.