Parking Rules in Matthews, NC: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Matthews or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Matthews has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Matthews UDO prohibits overnight parking of commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR or with more than 2 axles in residential districts. Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and box trucks must park in commercial or industrial zones.

Key details: Weight limit: 10,000 lbs GVWR residential. Axles: Max 2 in residential. Service vehicles: Under 10,000 lbs allowed. Moving trucks: 72 hours exempt. Fine: Up to 500 dollars per day.

Civil penalties up to 500 dollars per day. Repeat violations may be charged as Class 3 misdemeanor under NCGS 160A-175.

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

Driveway Rules

Matthews UDO requires residential driveways to be paved with concrete, asphalt, or pavers and to maintain minimum 3-foot setbacks from side property lines. Driveway curb cuts require NCDOT permit on state-maintained roads and Town approval on local streets.

Key details: Surface: Concrete, asphalt, pavers. Max width: 24 feet at property line. Front yard coverage: 40 percent maximum. Side setback: 3 feet minimum. State roads: NCDOT permit required.

UDO civil penalties up to 500 dollars per day. Unpermitted NCDOT curb cuts must be removed at owner expense. Code enforcement may order reconstruction to standards.

EV Charging

Matthews follows NC State Building Code for EV charger installation requiring electrical permits for Level 2 (240V) home chargers. NCGS 22B-20 prohibits HOAs from banning EV charging stations in assigned parking for unit owners.

Key details: Permit: Level 2 requires electrical permit. Code: 2020 NEC NC adoption. HOA law: NCGS 22B-20 prohibits bans. Level 1: No permit required. Utility: Duke Energy EV programs.

Unpermitted electrical work carries fines up to 500 dollars and mandatory inspection. HOA violations of NCGS 22B-20 may result in legal action by homeowner with attorney fee recovery.

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

Abandoned Vehicles

Matthews enforces NCGS 20-137.7 and 160A-303 for abandoned vehicles. Vehicles left on public streets over 7 days or on private property without owner consent over 24 hours may be tagged, towed, and sold at auction.

Key details: Public streets: 7 days triggers abandoned. Private property: 24 hours without consent. Notice: 10 days before tow. Redemption: 30 days post-tow. Statute: NCGS 160A-303, 20-137.7.

Tow and storage fees typically 150-400 dollars plus daily storage. Unrecovered vehicles sold at auction. Property owners cited for harboring junked vehicles face civil penalties up to 500 dollars per day.

Overnight Parking

Matthews generally permits overnight on-street parking in residential neighborhoods except where signed otherwise. Downtown time limits expire at 6 PM. HOA subdivisions often restrict overnight street parking through private covenants.

Key details: Public streets: Overnight generally allowed. Downtown limits: Expire at 6 PM. 7-day limit: Abandoned vehicle tag. HOAs: Often restrict overnight. Fine: 25-50 dollars typical.

Public street violations limited to clearance and obstruction issues (25-50 dollars). HOA violations subject to private fines and towing per covenant. Abandoned vehicle removal after 7 days.

Matthews is more permissive than most cities when it comes to overnight parking. That said, there are still limits.

RV & Boat Parking

Matthews UDO restricts RV, boat, and trailer parking on residential lots to side or rear yards screened from street view. Front yard storage is prohibited except for loading/unloading up to 48 hours. HOAs throughout Matthews subdivisions often ban all visible RV storage.

Key details: Location: Behind front building line. Surface: Improved (concrete/asphalt/gravel). Habitation: Prohibited. Temporary parking: 48 hours max. Fine: Up to 500 dollars per day.

UDO violations carry civil penalties up to 500 dollars per day under NCGS 160A-175. HOA enforcement includes fines and property liens.

Compared to other cities, Matthews takes a harder line on rv & boat parking. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Parking Limits

Matthews permits on-street parking on most residential streets but prohibits parking within 15 feet of fire hydrants, 25 feet of intersections, and blocking driveways per NCGS 20-162. Downtown Matthews has signed 2-hour limits on Trade Street and adjacent blocks to support retail turnover.

Key details: Downtown limit: 2 hours Mon-Sat 8 AM-6 PM. Hydrant: 15 feet clearance. Intersection: 25 feet clearance. Direction: Headed with traffic flow. Fine: 25-100 dollars.

Standard parking tickets 25-50 dollars. Fire hydrant violations 100 dollars. Vehicles impeding traffic or emergency access towed at owner expense per NCGS 20-161.

The Bottom Line

Matthews'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 Matthews is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Matthews's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.