Garfield's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Garfield, New Jersey, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

RV & Boat Parking

Garfield prohibits parking any vehicle, including RVs, exceeding 22 feet in length or 8 feet in width on city streets between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Key details: Size limit: 22 ft length, 8 ft width. Restricted hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Loading exception: Up to 15 minutes. Trailer permits: Not issued. Maximum fine: $100.

Fines up to $100 and/or community service not exceeding 90 days for overnight parking violations under the article.

Abandoned Vehicles

Garfield Chapter 322 sets local procedures for handling abandoned vehicles, including holding periods, notification, custodian fees, and public auction disposal.

Key details: Junk hold period: 15 business days. Standard hold: 20 business days. Custodian fee: $7 per application. Disposition: Public auction. Authority: Police Department.

Vehicle owners failing to claim an abandoned vehicle within the holding period lose the vehicle through public auction; custodians who skip the application process may forfeit recovery of fees.

Driveway Rules

Garfield requires that vehicles on residential lots be parked on designated paved surfaces, prohibits yard parking, and sets a 5-foot setback from the street right-of-way.

Key details: Required surface: Paved designated areas. Yard parking: Strictly prohibited. Front setback: Minimum 5 feet from ROW. Applies to: Residential and multifamily lots.

Property owners and drivers face municipal fines and possible towing for parking on unpaved surfaces, in yards, or within the 5-foot setback area.

The rules around driveway rules in Garfield lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Overnight Parking

Garfield prohibits parking on public or municipally owned property and city streets between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a valid resident or visitor permit.

Key details: Restricted hours: 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Coverage: All public streets and lots. Permit required: Resident or visitor. Maximum fine: $100. Community service: Up to 90 days.

Fines up to $100 and/or community service not exceeding 90 days for violations of the overnight parking article.

Street Parking Limits

Garfield requires a resident or visitor parking permit to park on city streets overnight, with size and registration limits set by the Resident Parking Program.

Key details: Permit issuer: Chief of Police. Vehicle size: 22 ft long, 7 ft wide. Visitor permit: $5 per day. Visitor cap: 25 days per year. Visitor portal: ppprk.com Zone 86200.

Vehicles parked overnight without a valid resident or visitor permit are subject to fines under the overnight parking article and may be ticketed each night.

EV Charging

Garfield Ordinance No. 2937 amends Chapter 341 zoning to require safe installation of electric vehicle supply equipment and Make-Ready parking spaces.

Key details: Ordinance number: 2937. Code chapter: Chapter 341 Zoning. Article amended: Article XI Parking and Loading. Covers: EVSE and Make-Ready spaces.

Noncompliant developments may be denied zoning approval or certificates of occupancy until EVSE and Make-Ready requirements in Chapter 341 are satisfied.

The rules around ev charging in Garfield lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Garfield limits each household to one registered commercial vehicle under its resident parking program, and bars heavy oversized commercial vehicles on streets overnight.

Key details: Per household: One commercial vehicle. Size limits: 22 ft long, 7 ft wide. Wheels on ground: Maximum four. Heavy weight bar: Over 5,000 lbs gross. Excluded: Active delivery, utility trucks.

Residents face permit denial or revocation for additional commercial vehicles, and fines apply to oversized commercial vehicles parked on city streets during restricted hours.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Garfield gives residents more room on parking rules. 2 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Garfield's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.