Buffalo, NY Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Article III of Chapter 307, Residential Parking, adds one flat rule for homeowners: § 307-48 makes it unlawful to park a vehicle in any unpaved portion of the area between the front lot line and the front building line, or in any unpaved portion of the side yard, on any lot where the main structure is used for residential purposes. The prohibition applies citywide to residential lots and is separate from the paving standard Chapter 307 imposes on licensed commercial parking lots under § 307-40.

A ticket for parking on unpaved lawn, gravel or dirt in the front or side yard is entered on the Parking Violations Bureau's fine schedule at § 307-11 as "Parking in unpaved area in front/side yard," carrying a $75 fine, higher than the $50 fine set for most other parking violations on that same schedule. Notice of a § 307-48 violation is served the same way as any other parking violation under Article I, § 307-7, and a recipient has eight days to enter a plea under § 307-10, either in person, by mail, or by requesting a hearing before a Hearing Examiner.

A vehicle owner who ignores the notice and fails to plead or appear can have a default judgment entered against them, and the Bureau must give an additional mailed notice of the impending default before that judgment is finalized, except for nonresident owners of out-of-state vehicles.