How Goodyear Handles Parking Rules: A Practical Guide

Goodyear maintains 119 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with parking rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Goodyear falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Goodyear bans parking or storing a commercial motor vehicle, one taller than 7 feet, wider than 7.5 feet, longer than 20 feet, or over 10,000 pounds GVWR, on any public or private road, roadway, or right-of-way. Section 13-3-13 allows only narrow exceptions for active loading, utility work, or breakdowns.

Key details: Height threshold: Over 7 feet. Width threshold: Over 7.5 feet. Length threshold: Over 20 feet combined. Weight threshold: GVWR over 10,000 lbs. Loading/unloading exception: Allowed while actively working.

Parking a commercial or oversized vehicle in violation of Section 13-3-13 is a civil traffic violation under Section 13-3-12, punishable by $50 to $500 plus costs and surcharges for a first offense, $100 to $800 for a second violation within a year, and $200 to $1,000 for a third or later violation. Officers may also immobilize or tow the vehicle to a City-designated lot under Section 13-3-19 at the registered owner's expense.

Compared to other cities, Goodyear takes a harder line on commercial & oversized vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

RV & Boat Parking

Goodyear lets residents park a motor home, camping trailer, truck camper, or boat trailer in a residential area for less than 72 hours. Beyond that window the vehicle falls under the citywide ban on storing recreational vehicles on any public or private road, roadway, or right-of-way under Section 13-3-13.

Key details: Residential RV/boat limit: Under 72 hours. Governing section: City Code § 13-3-13(B)(5). Qualifying vehicles: Motor homes, campers, boat trailers. First-offense fine: $50 to $500 plus surcharges. Enforcement tool: Tow to City-designated lot.

A recreational vehicle, trailer, or boat left in a residential area past the 72-hour limit is a civil traffic violation under Section 13-3-12, carrying a fine of $50 to $500 plus surcharges for a first offense, rising to $200 to $1,000 for repeat violations within a year. Law enforcement may also immobilize or tow the vehicle under Section 13-3-19 if it obstructs traffic or a driveway, with towing and storage charges billed to the owner.

Curb Color Rules

Goodyear's fire code lets the Fire Code Official mark a fire apparatus access lane by painting the curb red instead of, or alongside, posted signage. City Code § 5-2-1, amending 2024 IFC § 503.3, requires the painted curb read "FIRE LANE NO PARKING" in white block letters 3 inches tall with a ¾-inch stroke, repeated at least every 50 feet.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 5-2-1 (IFC § 503.3). Letter height: 3 inches, white on red. Stroke width: ¾ inch. Lettering spacing: No more than 50 feet apart. Sign spacing alternative: Signs no more than 100 feet apart.

Violating any Article 5-2 fire code provision, including the red curb or fire lane sign requirements, is a misdemeanor under § 5-2-1: fines run $50 to $2,500 for an individual and $400 to $20,000 for a business, with up to six months in jail. The city may instead pursue it as a civil code violation through Goodyear City Court under Chapter 18, an option the fire code official can choose in lieu of criminal prosecution.

Driveway Rules

Goodyear bans parking or driving vehicles on a vacant lot that has not been paved or otherwise stabilized to control dust, under City Code Section 11-1-26(C). Owners can also be required to fence, barricade, or post the lot against unauthorized vehicle use, with exceptions for utility work and permitted construction.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Section 11-1-26(C). Requirement: Paved or City Engineer-approved stabilized surface. Owner remedies allowed: Fencing, barricades, no-trespassing signs. Exceptions: Utility work, permitted construction. Penalty: Class 3 misdemeanor, fines up to $500.

A violation of Section 11-1-26 is a Class 3 misdemeanor, which under the section's own text "includes fines up to $500 plus surcharges and fees, probation up to one year, and imprisonment up to 30 days," citing A.R.S. Sections 13-802(C), 13-902(A)(7), and 13-707(A)(3). Fugitive dust from an unpaved, unauthorized parking use is separately deemed a public nuisance subject to abatement at the violator's expense.

EV Charging

Goodyear's Zoning Ordinance requires new electric vehicle charging installations to keep customer-facing chargers visible while screening the support equipment behind them. Transformers, switchgear, utility cabinets, meters, conduit and battery systems must stay out of required landscape setbacks and the area between the building front and the street, and must be architecturally screened to match the building.

Key details: Applies to: New EV charging installations. Customer equipment: Pedestals/bollards may stay visible. Support equipment: Must be screened, kept out of setbacks. Clearance: Utility and emergency access must stay open. Canopies: Materials must match development design.

Development Services reviews EV charging layouts as part of Site Plan Review before construction: support equipment shown in a setback, in the front yard between the building and the street, or without architectural screening will be flagged and the plan sent back for revision. A project cannot obtain site plan approval or a certificate of occupancy with charging infrastructure that fails the screening, setback or clearance standards.

Loading Zones

Any commercial or industrial building in Goodyear with 15,000 square feet or more of floor area that receives deliveries by trucks 36 feet or longer must provide at least one off-street loading space under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.4.5. Self-storage warehouses are exempt, and Site Plan Review can require additional spaces for larger projects.

Key details: Trigger: 15,000+ sq ft with 36-ft+ delivery trucks. Minimum spaces: 1 off-street loading space. Dimensions: 45 ft x 12 ft x 14 ft. Residential setback: 50 feet minimum. Exempt use: Self-storage warehouses.

Goodyear enforces Section 4.4.5 through Site Plan Review and the building permit process: a qualifying commercial or industrial project cannot receive site plan approval or a certificate of occupancy without loading spaces built to the dimensional and placement standards. Development Services staff can require plan revisions or added spaces before signing off, and a project that omits required loading area faces delayed permits until the plan is corrected.

Street Parking Limits

Goodyear bans stopping or parking within 20 feet of an intersection, in front of driveways, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in marked crosswalks, or facing the wrong way against traffic. Section 13-3-7 lists sixteen specific no-parking zones citywide, and violators face escalating civil fines starting at $50 plus surcharges under Section 13-3-12.

Key details: Driveway clearance: No parking directly in front. Intersection clearance: 20 feet. Fire hydrant clearance: 15 feet. First-offense fine: $50 to $500 plus surcharges. Late-payment penalty: 75% added after 90 days.

Section 13-3-12 sets a civil fine of $50 to $500 plus costs and surcharges for a first parking violation, $100 to $800 for a second within a year, and $200 to $1,000 for a third or later violation within a year. Parking violations may also be pursued criminally under Article 1-8. Unpaid fines more than 90 days past due under Section 13-3-18 add a 75% penalty plus collection fees and surcharges.

Abandoned Vehicles

Goodyear treats an unlicensed, inoperable, stripped, junked or wrecked vehicle left unsheltered on private property for 15 days or more as a public nuisance dangerous to public safety under City Code § 11-1-1. The City must give the owner written notice to abate, and after 15 more days of inaction can remove the vehicle and bill the property owner, tenant or lessee for the cost.

Key details: Trigger: Unsheltered 15+ days on private property. Definition: No plates, inoperable, stripped, junked, or 72+ hr repair. Notice period: 15 days after written notice to abate. Exemptions: Active businesses; classic cars (A.R.S. § 28-2483). Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor.

Failing, neglecting or refusing to abate an abandoned-vehicle nuisance after the 15-day notice period is a class 1 misdemeanor under § 11-1-1(C)(1), and a criminal sentence does not excuse the owner from still having to comply with the removal requirement. Beyond the criminal charge, the City can remove the vehicle itself and hold the property owner, tenant, lessee or occupant liable for every dollar of the removal and disposal cost.

The Bottom Line

Goodyear's parking rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Goodyear is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Goodyear's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.