Auburn, AL Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (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?
How big does a parking space have to be in Auburn?
Can I count a parking space on my neighbor's lot toward my requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
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