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Parking Rules in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

7 verified parking rules for Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

RV & Boat Parking

Winston-Salem permits RV and boat storage on residential lots when screened from public view and parked on hard surface. Vehicles cannot be occupied as dwellings. HOAs in suburban areas commonly prohibit visible RV storage regardless of city rules.

Parking: Rv Boat Parking

Some Restrictions

Driveway Rules

Winston-Salem driveways require permits for new curb cuts and must meet UDO standards for width and paving material. Residential driveways limited to 24 feet wide at property line. Gravel driveways permitted in rural-zoned areas only.

Parking: Driveway Rules

Some Restrictions

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Winston-Salem prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential zoning districts. Semi-trucks, dump trucks, and large delivery vehicles cannot be stored on residential streets or driveways overnight. Service vans and pickups generally exempt.

Parking: Commercial Vehicles

Some Restrictions

Street Parking Limits

Winston-Salem street parking is free in residential areas with 72-hour maximum stays. Downtown has metered parking with enforcement 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday. No parking against traffic flow or within 15 feet of fire hydrants per NCGS 20-162.

Parking: Street Parking

Some Restrictions

Overnight Parking

Winston-Salem has no general overnight street parking ban in residential areas. Vehicles subject to 72-hour maximum continuous parking rule. Snow emergencies may trigger temporary overnight bans on designated snow routes. Permit zones near WFU may restrict overnight parking.

Parking: Overnight Parking

Few Restrictions

EV Charging

Winston-Salem permits residential EV charging station installation with electrical permits from Inspections Division. Public EV chargers available at city parking decks and Innovation Quarter. NC offers utility rebates through Duke Energy for home charger installation.

Parking: Electric Vehicle Charging

Few Restrictions

Abandoned Vehicles

Winston-Salem defines abandoned vehicles as those parked on public streets over 72 hours or inoperative vehicles on private property. Police tag suspicious vehicles with 7-day notice before towing. Owners charged towing and storage fees.

Parking: Abandoned Vehicles

Some Restrictions

N.C.G.S. 160A-303 (Removal and disposal of junked and abandoned motor vehicles)

(a) A city may by ordinance prohibit the abandonment of motor vehicles on the public streets or on public or private property within the city, and may enforce any such ordinance by removing and disposing of junked or abandoned motor vehicles according to the procedures prescribed in this section. (b) A motor vehicle is defined to include all machines designed or intended to travel over land or ...