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Auburn, AL Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Required surface
Hard, permanent pavement (asphalt or concrete)
Minimum stall size
9 feet by 18 feet
Urban Core parking cap
50% of gross lot area max
Governing section
Zoning Ordinance Section 513
Penalty
Up to $500 fine, 6 months jail

Summary

Every off-street parking space in Auburn, including driveways and maneuvering areas, must be improved with a hard, permanent paved surface under Zoning Ordinance Section 513, so gravel, dirt or grass parking pads do not satisfy the city's off-street parking requirement for a home or business.

All parking spaces required herein, including adequate driveways and maneuvering areas shall be improved with a suitable, hard surface, permanent type of pavement.

Full Breakdown

Section 513, the Zoning Ordinance's general off-street parking rule, spells out exactly what counts as a lawful parking space. " That means a resident cannot satisfy required parking with a gravel strip, a grassed-over side yard, or bare dirt; asphalt, concrete or another rigid, permanent surface is required. Each stall must measure at least nine feet by 18 feet, exclusive of aisle width, and be delineated with striping or a similar marking method. If a calculated parking requirement comes out to a fraction, the city rounds up to the next whole space rather than down.

01 layers on residential-specific rules: required parking for any dwelling unit inside a subdivision must sit within the boundaries of that lot, not on a neighbor's property or in the right-of-way, and required parking in the Urban Core District cannot cover more than 50 percent of a parcel's gross surface area unless it is built into the structure itself. 03, applies. Handicapped parking must additionally meet the standards in the city's Building Code. Together these sections make Auburn's driveway and parking-surface rule a hard, dimensional standard rather than a discretionary one: pavement, not natural ground cover, is what the code requires.

Violations & Fines

Auburn enforces its parking and paving standards as Zoning Ordinance violations: any breach is punishable by up to a $500 fine and up to six months in city jail under Section 909, with each day the unpaved or misplaced parking continues counted as a separate offense. Beginning construction or paving work without first securing the required zoning certificate doubles all applicable fees under Section 909.01.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park on a gravel or grass driveway in Auburn?
No. Zoning Ordinance Section 513(C) requires every required off-street parking space, including driveways and maneuvering areas, to be improved with a hard, permanent type of pavement such as asphalt or concrete. Gravel, dirt and grass surfaces do not meet this standard for any required parking space in the city.
How big does a parking space have to be in Auburn?
Section 513(B) sets a minimum stall size of nine feet by 18 feet, not counting the aisle needed to maneuver in and out, and the space must be marked with striping or a similar delineation method. Fractional space counts round up to the next whole number under Section 513(D).
Can I count a parking space on my neighbor's lot toward my requirement?
No. Section 513(E) requires all required parking spaces to be provided on the same development site, and specifically prohibits locating required spaces on adjoining property or across a public right-of-way, except where the shared-parking provision in Section 513.03 applies.

Sources & Official References

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