Maricopa County, AZ Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- MCZO § 802.7.2
- Allowed surfaces
- Pavement, decomposed granite, or ABC material
- Applies to
- Single-family lots, unincorporated Maricopa County
- Enforced by
- County Zoning Inspector
- Penalty
- Class 2 misdemeanor, per-day offense
Summary
In unincorporated Maricopa County, home driveways and parking areas must be paved, decomposed granite, or ABC material to control dust: bare dirt parking doesn't meet the zoning ordinance's design standard for single-family lots.
Parking areas for single-family residential uses must be paved or surfaced with decomposed granite or an ABC materials to minimize dust pollution.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8's parking design standards (Article 802.7) require most off-street parking to be paved, but give single-family residential lots a carve-out: the surface must be paved or surfaced with decomposed granite or an ABC (aggregate base course) material specifically to minimize dust pollution. A compliance table lists paving, asphalt, liquid asphaltic binder/emulsifier with millings, and stabilized decomposed granite as acceptable; plain asphalt millings and unstabilized decomposed granite do not qualify. The Zoning Inspector can approve surfacing alternatives at their discretion. Violating any MCZO provision is a class 2 misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and the county can also pursue civil penalties instead.
Violations & Fines
Violating the MCZO's parking standards is a class 2 misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; the county Zoning Inspector can also pursue civil penalties instead of criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on bare dirt in my driveway in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Does plain decomposed granite meet the requirement?
Who enforces driveway surfacing rules in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona parking rules overview
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