Alhambra, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum driveway depth
- 20 feet, residential garage/carport access
- Minimum driveway width
- 10-20 feet by zone and unit count
- Max driveway slope
- 15% grade
- Surfacing
- Must be paved; no unpaved parking
- Approving authority
- Public Works Director
Summary
Alhambra requires every driveway and parking area to be paved; the Zoning Code flatly states no unpaved area shall be used for parking. Driveway width and depth are set by table depending on the zoning district and unit count, and the Public Works Director approves the surface material.
(F) Surfacing. All parking areas shall be paved and improved subject to the approval of the Public Works Director. No unpaved area shall be used for parking.
(1) Pavement standards. Parking areas shall be paved consistent with the following materials or comparable material approved by the Public Works Director.
(a) Asphalt. Two inches of asphaltic concrete on four inches of aggregate base material. This option shall not apply in the RL District or to single-unit residential development.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
090(F) puts the rule in one sentence: all parking areas must be paved and improved subject to Public Works Director approval, and no unpaved area may be used for parking. Acceptable surfaces are two inches of asphaltic concrete on four inches of aggregate base (not allowed in the RL District or for single-unit residential development), four inches of Portland cement concrete on three inches of aggregate base, or pavers/permeable pavement of equivalent strength. Up to two feet of a parking space may overhang a landscaped planter bounded by a six-inch curb.
Driveways providing access from a public street to a garage or carport in Residential Zoning Districts must run at least 20 feet deep, except on RL-zoned lots sloping more than 25 percent, which have no minimum depth. B: 10 feet for RL and for one- or two-unit RM/RH properties, 12 feet one-way/16 feet two-way for three-or-more-unit RM/RH, and 12 feet one-way/20 feet two-way in all other zones and within parking garages. 090(G) limits driveway grades to 15 percent slope with a transitional grade at top and bottom, subject to Public Works approval, except in the RL Zone. 24 of the Municipal Code.
Violations & Fines
Parking or driving on an unpaved surface, or building a driveway narrower or shallower than the table requires, is a zoning violation enforced by the Community Development Department under Section 23.31.150; violations are also declared a public nuisance the city can abate through Los Angeles County Superior Court, including fines and attorneys' fees. Where no specific penalty is set, Section 1.12.010 authorizes a fine set by City Council resolution or up to six months' imprisonment, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on a gravel or dirt front yard in Alhambra?
How wide must my driveway be in Alhambra?
Is there a minimum driveway depth for a house in Alhambra?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
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Driveway Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle driveway rules.