Alexandria, VA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max yard coverage for parking
- 50% of any front, side, or rear yard
- Surface types counted
- Both paved and unpaved driveways
- Measured by
- Each yard individually, not combined
- Garage exception
- One garage within 1 ft of front lot line if below curb grade
- First-offense penalty
- $200 civil violation
Summary
Alexandria zoning caps how much of a required yard can be used for cars. Section 7-1005 keeps a front, side, or rear yard in compliance only if no more than 50 percent of it is used for parking, including driveways whether paved or unpaved, so most of the yard has to stay open.
7-1005 - Parking in required yards. Front, side and rear yards shall be deemed to be in compliance with this ordinance provided that not more than 50 percent of such front, side or rear yard is used for parking of automobiles, including driveways whether paved or unpaved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 156 | Zoning: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-1005 sets the rule squarely: front, side, and rear yards are deemed compliant with the zoning ordinance provided that not more than 50 percent of any such yard is used for parking of automobiles, including driveways whether paved or unpaved. Because the section names paved and unpaved surfaces together, gravel or dirt parking areas count toward the 50 percent cap the same as poured concrete or asphalt. The rule applies yard by yard, so a homeowner cannot offset an oversized front driveway against unused side or rear yard area; each yard is measured on its own.
Section 7-1001 supplies the one carve-out for garages: a single private garage can sit within one foot of the front lot line if its floor is not below curb grade and its roof stays entirely below finished yard grade, but any detached garage built above grade after June 28, 1973 has to meet the standard yard setbacks of its zone instead of relying on that exception.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 50 percent yard-parking limit is an off-street parking regulation violation under Section 11-207(A)(7), a class five civil violation: $200 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent violation of the same requirement arising from the same facts, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense capped at $5,000 for a repeated series. The director may issue written notice under Section 11-204 ordering the excess paving or parking area corrected within ten days before pursuing further action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my front yard can I pave for parking in Alexandria?
Does a gravel driveway count toward Alexandria's yard parking limit?
Can I build a garage right up to my front lot line in Alexandria?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
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