Parking Rules in Charlottesville, VA (2026)
10 verified parking rules for Charlottesville, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, City Code § 15-144(a)(5)-(6) bars parking a boat, or a recreational vehicle or trailer longer than twenty feet, on any public street between midnight and 6:00 a.m. The restriction targets on-street storage, not driveways or private yards, and lifts only if the owner holds a city parking permit.
Charlottesville Overnight Boat & RV Parking Ban
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 15-144(a)(5)-(6)
(a)No vehicle or trailer listed below shall be parked on any of the public streets of the city between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.; however, this section shall not apply to a vehicle that has obtained a parking permit from the city. ... (5)Boat.(6)Recreational vehicle (as defined by section 34-1200 of this Code) or trailer (as defined by Code of Virginia § 46.2-1500) in excess of twenty...
Driveway Rules
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, the Development Code controls where on-site parking can sit between a building and the street. Sec. 2.10.8 lets each zoning district decide whether parking may sit in a front, side street, side or rear yard, and where it is barred from the front or side street yard, only a driveway meeting the vehicle-access standard is allowed there.
Charlottesville Front-Yard Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville Development Code § 2.10.8
2.10.8. Parking Location Where on-site parking is or is not allowed between the building and the street. ... ... C. Standards 1. When provided, on-site parking is only allowed in a yard as specified by the zoning district. 2. When parking is allowed in a side street yard, parking is only allowed on a driveway that meets the requirements of 4.5.3. Vehicle Access. 3. When parking is not allowed i...
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
Semi-trucks, large buses, boats and oversized RVs cannot sit on any Charlottesville public street between midnight and 6 a.m. City Code § 15-144(a) lists the banned vehicle types by name and lets the city manager issue a parking permit as the only way around the ban.
Charlottesville Overnight Truck Parking Ban
Significant RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 15-144(a)
(a)No vehicle or trailer listed below shall be parked on any of the public streets of the city between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.; however, this section shall not apply to a vehicle that has obtained a parking permit from the city.(1)Semi-truck or semitrailer truck, as defined by the Code of Virginia § 46.2-1500.(2)Bus or van designed to carry more than twelve (12) passengers (city sch...
Street Parking Limits
Charlottesville bars parking in front of driveways, near fire hydrants and intersections, and facing the wrong way against traffic. City Code § 15-129 sets the driveway and hydrant buffers, § 15-136(a) bans wrong-way curb parking, and blocking a driveway alone draws a $20 fine under § 15-149(e).
Charlottesville On-Street Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code §§ 15-129, 15-136(a), 15-149(e)
No person shall park a vehicle or permit it to stand, whether attended or unattended, upon a street in front of a private driveway, or within fifteen (15) feet in either direction of a fire hydrant or the entrance to a fire station, or within fifteen (15) feet of the entrance to a building housing rescue squad equipment or ambulances, provided such building is plainly designated, or within twen...
Overnight Parking
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, City Code § 15-144 bans parking specific heavy or oversized vehicles, including semi-trucks, buses over twelve passengers, boats, and RVs over twenty feet, on any public street between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Ordinary passenger cars are not covered unless a sign or permit district applies elsewhere. Vehicle owners can avoid the ban only by obtaining a parking permit from the city.
Charlottesville Overnight On-Street Parking Ban
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 15-144
Sec. 15-144. - Parking and covering of restricted vehicles. (a)No vehicle or trailer listed below shall be parked on any of the public streets of the city between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.; however, this section shall not apply to a vehicle that has obtained a parking permit from the city.(1)Semi-truck or semitrailer truck, as defined by the Code of Virginia § 46.2-1500.(2)Bus or van ...
EV Charging
Any Charlottesville parking lot with 6 or more spaces must wire 20% of them for electric vehicle charging under Development Code Sec. 4.5.4.C.3, and any charging equipment that gets installed cannot block drive aisles or walkways, carry advertising, or leave its transformers unscreened from the street.
Charlottesville EV Charging Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville Development Code §§ 4.5.4.C.3, 4.5.5.C.4
3. Electric Vehicle Charging Where a parking lot with 6 or more spaces is provided, 20% of the parking spaces must be equipped with conduit and electrical capacity to accommodate the installation of electrical vehicle charging equipment. ... 4. Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment a. Electric vehicle charging equipment, including pedestals, bollards, or cables, must not encroach into drive aisle...
Abandoned Vehicles
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, City Code § 15-271 defines an abandoned motor vehicle as one left inoperable or illegally on public property for more than forty-eight hours, or on private property without the owner's consent for more than forty-eight hours; a vehicle lacking current plates or inspection that has sat unmoved for four days is presumed abandoned.
Charlottesville Abandoned Vehicle Rules
Significant RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 15-271
Sec. 15-271. - Definitions. ... Abandoned motor vehicle means a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof that: (1)Is inoperable and is left unattended on public property for more than forty-eight (48) hours, or(2)Has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than forty-eight (48) hours, or(3)Has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or perso...
Curb Color Rules
Parking next to a curb painted yellow is flatly unlawful in Charlottesville. City Code § 15-135 states the rule in one sentence, and § 15-136(b) repeats the same yellow-curb ban in the article's general curb regulations; either way, a citation carries the $15 curb-violation fine set by § 15-149(e).
Charlottesville Yellow Curb Parking Ban
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code §§ 15-135, 15-149(e)
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle next to a curb painted yellow. ... The schedule of fines which may be paid under this section shall be as follows: Fine After 96 Hours ... Curb violation 15.00 30.00
Loading Zones
Charlottesville does not force every commercial site to build a loading area, but when a lot has one, Development Code Sec. 4.5.6.C.2 keeps loading and unloading out of the public street, alleys aside, and requires the area to sit at the rear or side of the building.
Charlottesville Commercial Loading Area Rules
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville Development Code § 4.5.6.C.2
2. Loading a. A loading area is not required. If determined necessary by the Administrator, adequate space must be made available on-site for the unloading and loading of goods, materials, items, or stock for delivery and shipping. b. With the exception of alleys and areas specifically designated by the City, loading and unloading activities are not allowed on a public street. c. Loading areas ...
Preferential Parking Districts
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, City Code §§ 15-201 through 15-211 create residential permit parking zones where on-street parking is restricted, by default 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, to vehicles displaying a valid decal issued by the city treasurer. Zones 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are already designated by street boundary in § 15-204.
Charlottesville Residential Permit Parking Zones
Significant RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 15-208
Sec. 15-208. - Permit required; hours. (a)It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be parked on a public right-of-way or street during specified hours in a restricted parking area except upon display of a valid permit issued pursuant to section 15-210 of this division. ... (b)Unless otherwise specified by city council within a resolution designating a particular restricted parking area, the hour...