Columbus, IN Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Section 10.28.220(D) of the Columbus Municipal Code, titled Use of front yard, says no front yard area, other than a driveway or parking area, shall be used for the storage or parking of vehicles. It adds a wheel test: no vehicle is considered legally parked unless all wheels are located on a driveway area. A car with two wheels on the lawn or on the strip beside the drive therefore fails the test. The section prints no paving material requirement.

Subsection F covers vehicle maintenance on any residentially zoned or used property when the work is not conducted entirely within the interior passenger space of the vehicle. Under paragraph a, all vehicles being worked on outside must be on a driveway or parking area. Under paragraph b, vehicles worked on outside must be licensed, and if a vehicle is inoperable for more than forty-eight hours the repairs must be conducted entirely within an enclosed building. Under paragraph c, inoperable vehicles and vehicle parts must be stored inside an enclosed building.

The same section also bars parking a vehicle, trailer, construction vehicle or equipment, recreational vehicle or bus in the city right of way between a curb and sidewalk, so the area between the street and the sidewalk cannot serve as extra driveway space. Section 10.28.220(A)(4) separately bars stopping, standing or parking in front of a public or private driveway.

The Common Council placed these rules in Title 10, and the police department issues the citations: Section 10.04.020(D) authorizes city personnel designated by the chief of police to issue citations for parking violations. Section 10.28.220(C) makes any violation of the whole section an ordinance violation.