Parking Rules in Scranton, PA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

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

RV & Boat Parking

RV, trailer and boat parking in Scranton is governed by the City of Scranton Code (codified on eCode360) and the separately adopted Scranton Zoning Ordinance, layered on top of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.). On-street storage of recreational vehicles, boat trailers and utility trailers is restricted by the City's vehicles-and-traffic provisions and by the statewide 75 Pa.C.S. §3353 stopping/standing/parking rules; on-lot storage is regulated as an accessory use under the Scranton Zoning Ordinance.

Key details: Code Portal: City of Scranton Code (eCode360 SC1148). State Law: 75 Pa.C.S. §3353 (Restrictions on Parking). Zoning: Scranton Zoning Ordinance (separate doc). Living in RV: Prohibited outside zoned RV/MH parks. Tow Authority: City + 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3.

Improperly parked recreational vehicles or trailers on Scranton streets are enforceable through the City's parking-fine schedule, with vehicles subject to ticketing and tow under the City's removal authority and 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3. Storage of an inoperable or unregistered RV/boat/trailer on private property in residential districts is enforceable by LIPS as a zoning and/or property-maintenance violation. General Code violations in PA Home Rule cities are typically punishable by fines up to $1,000 per violation plus costs through the Magisterial District Court, and each day of continuing violation may be charged separately.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Scranton actively enforces its rv & boat parking requirements.

Driveway Rules

Driveway design, curb cuts and off-street parking in Scranton are governed by the Scranton Zoning Ordinance (referenced in the City Code on eCode360 portal SC1148) and by the City's right-of-way and engineering rules administered by the Department of Public Works. The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code §§401-405) adopts the IBC/IRC statewide and applies to driveway-related structures. Curb cuts and aprons across the City right-of-way require a permit.

Key details: Zoning: Scranton Zoning Ordinance (sep. document). Curb-Cut Permit: DPW Street Opening / R/W permit. PA UCC: 34 Pa. Code §§401-405 (IBC/IRC). Permitting: Scranton LIPS. Lawn Parking: Prohibited (Zoning Ordinance).

Constructing a curb cut or driveway apron without a street-opening / right-of-way permit is enforceable by the Scranton Department of Public Works, which can require restoration at the owner's expense. Off-street-parking and surface violations under the Zoning Ordinance are enforced by LIPS, which can issue notices of violation and refer cases to the Magisterial District Court. PA UCC violations (work without a building permit on a driveway-related structure) are enforceable separately with stop-work orders and refusal to issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Commercial vehicle parking in Scranton is regulated by the City's Vehicles and Traffic provisions (City of Scranton Code on eCode360 portal SC1148) and the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.) and Title 67 of the Pennsylvania Code. The City restricts where larger trucks, trailers and tractor units may park on residential streets, requires use of designated loading zones for active deliveries, and applies the statewide 75 Pa.C.S. §3353 stopping/standing/parking baseline.

Key details: Local Code: City of Scranton Vehicles and Traffic chapter. State Statute: 75 Pa.C.S. §§3353, 3354 (PA Vehicle Code). PennDOT Regs: Title 67 of the PA Code. Loading Zones: Posted - active deliveries only. Residential Storage: Restricted (Zoning Ordinance).

Parking a commercial vehicle in violation of the City's Vehicles and Traffic chapter or a designated loading-zone restriction is enforceable through the City's parking-fine schedule, with immediate tow available under the City's removal authority and 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3. Zoning violations (e.g., storing a tractor-trailer at a residence) are enforced by LIPS with notices of violation and referral to the Magisterial District Court for fines (typically up to $1,000 per violation plus costs in PA cities) and each day of continuing violation a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Scranton actively enforces its commercial vehicle restrictions requirements.

Street Parking Limits

On-street parking in Scranton is governed by the City's Vehicles and Traffic chapter (Code of the City of Scranton, eCode360 portal SC1148) and the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.), notably §3353 (Restrictions on parking). The Scranton Parking Authority (SPA) operates meters, kiosks, residential permit zones and several public parking garages in Center City. Statutory setbacks of 15 ft from hydrants, 20 ft from crosswalks and 30 ft from stop signs/signals apply citywide.

Key details: State Statute: 75 Pa.C.S. §3353 (Restrictions on Parking). Local Code: Scranton Vehicles and Traffic chapter. Hydrant Setback: 15 ft (75 Pa.C.S. §3353). Stop/Signal Setback: 30 ft (75 Pa.C.S. §3353). Operator: Scranton Parking Authority (SPA).

Parking-ticket fines are set by the City's parking-fine schedule (adjusted by ordinance). Vehicles in violation of statutory or local no-parking restrictions are subject to ticketing and immediate towing at the owner's expense under the City's removal authority and 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3. Failure to remove a vehicle from a posted snow emergency route during an activation is subject to ticket and tow. Repeat or aggravated violations of the underlying §3353 / §3354 state statutes carry summary-offense penalties under the PA Vehicle Code.

Overnight Parking

Scranton does not impose a citywide overnight ban on on-street parking of ordinary passenger vehicles, but overnight parking is limited by signed block restrictions, Scranton Parking Authority residential permit zones, the City's continuous-parking storage rules, and - importantly - the snow emergency route program activated during winter storms. RVs, trailers and commercial vehicles face additional restrictions under the Zoning Ordinance and Vehicles and Traffic chapter.

Key details: Citywide Overnight Ban: None for passenger vehicles. Permit Zones: Selected residential blocks (SPA). Snow Emergency: Mayor-declared - posted routes must clear. Continuous Parking: Limited; vehicle deemed 'stored' if unmoved. Oversize Vehicles: Restricted (Vehicles & Traffic + Zoning).

Overnight violations of signed local restrictions, residential permit zones, or the City's continuous-parking storage rule are payable parking tickets under the City's fine schedule and the vehicle may be towed under the City's removal authority. Failure to remove a vehicle from a posted snow emergency route during an activation is subject to immediate ticket and tow at the owner's expense - a meaningful expense given Scranton's frequent winter activations. Repeat or aggravated violations of the underlying PA Vehicle Code carry summary-offense penalties under 75 Pa.C.S.

EV Charging

Pennsylvania does not have a statewide EV-ready building mandate or model municipal EV ordinance comparable to New Jersey's, so EV charging in Scranton is governed primarily by the Scranton Zoning Ordinance and the electrical permit requirements of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code §§401-405, adopting the NEC). Single-family residential EVSE is generally treated as a permitted accessory use requiring an electrical permit from the City Department of Licensing, Inspections & Permits.

Key details: State EV Mandate: None - PA uses voluntary model ordinances. Local Zoning: Scranton Zoning Ordinance. Construction Code: PA UCC - 34 Pa. Code §§401-405 (NEC). Electrical Standard: NEC Article 625 (EVSE). State Toolkit: PennDOT EV Model Ordinance Toolkit.

Installing EVSE without the required electrical permit violates the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code §§401-405) and is enforceable by LIPS with stop-work orders, fines under the local Code, and refusal to issue a Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection until the work is properly permitted and inspected. Zoning issues for commercial installations (parking layout, signage, screening) are enforceable separately by LIPS under the Scranton Zoning Ordinance, with referral to the Magisterial District Court for civil penalties as needed.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Scranton gives residents more flexibility on ev charging.

Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned and inoperable vehicles in Scranton are handled under the City's Vehicles and Traffic and Property Maintenance / Nuisance provisions (Code of the City of Scranton, eCode360 portal SC1148), together with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code abandoned-vehicle provisions at 75 Pa.C.S. §7311 et seq. The Pennsylvania statute sets out the title-clearing and removal framework, and the City layers local enforcement and notice procedures on top.

Key details: State Law: 75 Pa.C.S. §7311+ (Abandoned Vehicles). Private Property Tow: 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3. Local Code: City Vehicles & Traffic + Property Maintenance. Junk Vehicles on Lot: Prohibited outside enclosed structures. Reporting (Streets): Scranton Police non-emergency.

Parking an inoperable or unregistered vehicle on a City street violates the City's Vehicles and Traffic chapter and is subject to ticketing and immediate tow at the owner's expense. Towing and storage fees are at the owner's expense; unclaimed vehicles are disposed of through the state abandoned-vehicle title process at 75 Pa.C.S. §7311 et seq. Storing junked or inoperable vehicles on residential property in violation of the City's property-maintenance and zoning rules is enforceable by LIPS with notices of violation and referral to the Magisterial District Court for fines (typically up to $1,000 per violation plus costs in PA cities), with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.

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

The Bottom Line

Scranton is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Scranton, 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 Scranton can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.