Parking Rules in Phoenix, AZ (2026)
11 verified parking rules for Phoenix, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-140 prohibits parking any trailer, semi-trailer, tractor-trailer, or vehicle with a rated chassis capacity over three-fourths of a ton on a local, collector, or arterial street in a residential zone, except while loading or unloading. Boats and RVs on their own trailers are covered by this trailer prohibition.
No trailers/RVs over 3/4 ton on residential streets
Heavy RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Ch. 36, Art. XI, Sec. 36-140 (Code 1962, Sec. 37-50.09; Ord. No. G-1977; G-2741; G-4580, Sec. 7, 2004)
Sec. 36-140. Parking trucks and trailers and certain other vehicles on residential streets. A. No person shall stand or park a vehicle with a rated chassis capacity in excess of three-fourths of a ton or any tractor, semi-trailer, tractor-trailer, trailer, or bus on a local, collector, or arterial street in a residential zone except during the process of loading or unloading such vehicle. B. As...
Driveway Rules
Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-145 prohibits parking any motor vehicle on a lot or area that is not 'dust-free' (paved, or, for single-family/duplex lots, a 3-inch-deep contained gravel layer). A.R.S. Sec. 28-873 also forbids blocking a public or private driveway or impeding a sidewalk.
Must park on dust-free surface; no grass/dirt parking
Some RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Ch. 36, Art. XI, Sec. 36-145 (Ord. No. G-4037, Sec. 2, 1997; G-5590, Sec. 1, 2011)
Sec. 36-145. Parking on non-dust-free lots. A. No person shall park, or permit to be parked, any motor vehicle upon any lot or area within the City which is not dust-free. Violation of this section shall constitute a civil traffic violation, and the violator shall be subject to a civil sanction of not less than one hundred fifty dollars or more than two hundred fifty dollars. B. 'Dust-free' sha...
Commercial Vehicle Restrictions
Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-140 prohibits standing or parking any vehicle with a rated chassis capacity over three-fourths of a ton, or any tractor, semi-trailer, tractor-trailer, trailer, or bus, on a local, collector, or arterial street in a residential zone, except during loading or unloading.
No trucks over 3/4 ton, semis or buses on local streets
Heavy RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Ch. 36, Art. XI, Sec. 36-140 (Code 1962, Sec. 37-50.09; Ord. No. G-4580, Sec. 7, 2004)
Sec. 36-140. Parking trucks and trailers and certain other vehicles on residential streets. A. No person shall stand or park a vehicle with a rated chassis capacity in excess of three-fourths of a ton or any tractor, semi-trailer, tractor-trailer, trailer, or bus on a local, collector, or arterial street in a residential zone except during the process of loading or unloading such vehicle. B. As...
Street Parking Limits
Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-142 requires vehicles to park parallel to the curb, headed with traffic, within 18 inches of the curb. There is no citywide street-parking time limit, but the city may post signed restrictions and Resident Permit Parking areas (City Code 36-157) where intruder parking is documented.
Parallel parking; permit zones; no general time limit
Some RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Ch. 36, Art. XI, Sec. 36-142 (Code 1962, Sec. 37-50.11)
Sec. 36-142. Parallel parking. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall stand or park a vehicle in a roadway other than parallel with the edge of the roadway headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement and with the curbside wheels of the vehicle within eighteen inches of the curb or edge of the roadway. (Code 1962, Sec. 37-50.11) State law reference- Parallel and ang...
Overnight Parking
Phoenix has no general ordinance banning overnight parking on public streets, and metered spaces are free overnight (10 p.m.-8 a.m.). However, under A.R.S. Sec. 28-872 a police officer may remove a vehicle left unattended on a city right-of-way for more than two hours, and oversized vehicles/trailers may not be left on residential streets at all (City Code 36-140).
No citywide overnight ban; 2-hr/72-hr removal rules
Few RestrictionsArizona Revised Statutes Sec. 28-872(C)(4)-(5) (Removal of vehicles; notice; liability for costs; hearing)
A police officer may remove or cause the removal of a vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety as follows: ... 4. If the vehicle is left unattended for more than four hours on the right-of-way of a freeway that has full control of access and no crossings at grade. 5. Within the boundaries of a city, if the vehicle is left unattended for more than two hours on the right-of-way ...
Dibs & Space Saving
Phoenix does not have a dibs or space-saving ordinance. The city receives negligible snowfall and has no tradition of saving shoveled parking spots. Placing objects in public spaces to reserve parking is not a recognized practice.
Phoenix Parking Space Saving Rules
Few RestrictionsEV Charging
Arizona state law (ARS §28-876) prohibits non-electric vehicles from parking in designated EV charging spaces, with a minimum $350 civil penalty. Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 1206 provides downtown-specific EV charging regulations, allowing EVC spaces to count toward minimum parking requirements.
Phoenix EV Charging Station Rules
Some RestrictionsAbandoned Vehicles
Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-7 lets the Police Department remove and impound any unoccupied vehicle found violating parking laws, and may immobilize vehicles whose owners have three or more unpaid parking judgments. State law (A.R.S. Sec. 28-872) authorizes removal of vehicles left unattended more than two hours on a city right-of-way.
Police may impound illegally standing/parked vehicles
Some RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Ch. 36, Art. I, Sec. 36-7 (Immobilizing and impounding of vehicles)
Sec. 36-7. Immobilizing and impounding of vehicles. A. The Police Department may remove and impound, under the direction of the Director of the Police Department, any unoccupied vehicle of any kind or description found violating any of the provisions of this Code, or of any of the ordinances of the City of Phoenix or the laws of the State of Arizona regulating the standing or parking of vehicle...
Curb Color Rules
Phoenix Chapter 24 and Arizona Revised Statutes §28-873 establish standardized curb color meanings: red for no stopping, yellow for loading, white for passenger pickup, green for short-term, and blue for accessible parking. Only the city may paint regulatory curbs.
Phoenix Curb Color Painting And Parking Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLoading Zones
Phoenix Chapter 24 (Parking and Traffic) regulates commercial and passenger loading zones marked by yellow or white curbs and signage. Only authorized vehicles may use loading zones during posted hours, with strict time limits enforced by Phoenix parking enforcement.
Phoenix Commercial Loading Zone Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsPreferential Parking Districts
Phoenix's Resident Permit Parking Program, established in 1987, lets the City Council designate 'resident only' permit areas under City Code Sec. 36-157 where documented 'intruder parking' occurs. A block may petition with 70 percent of homeowners on one side of the street; residents then buy annual permits ($10 resident, $5 visitor).
Resident Permit Parking Program (RPPP) - City Code 36-157
Some RestrictionsCity of Phoenix Street Transportation Dept., Resident Parking Permit Program (RPPP) Fact Sheet (implementing City Code Sec. 36-157)
Phoenix established the Resident Permit Parking Program (RPPP) in 1987 ... If a neighborhood street meets the requirements ... 'resident only' parking signs may be posted when at least 70% of the residents on the block sign a petition in favor of the restrictions. Residents are eligible to buy permit(s), which allow themselves or their visitors to park on the street during the restricted hours....
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Phoenix city rules.
Parking Rules in Maricopa County →