Concord, NC Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Section 10.3.1.B of the Concord Development Ordinance (CDO) governs where residential vehicles, boats, trailers and recreation vehicles may sit in a front yard, defined as the area between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street from the point of the dwelling closest to the road. No one may park or store a vehicle there unless it sits completely on an improved driveway or improved parking pad; parking directly on grass, dirt or landscaping is prohibited. The rule applies to single-family, duplex, triplex and quadplex dwellings in every zoning district except agricultural districts.

Improved parking and drive areas cannot cover more than 40% of the structure's front yard. Front-load townhouse units with 20-foot-wide driveways can exceed that 40% cap if they still meet every other CDO development standard and the Technical Standards Manual's infrastructure requirements. Access to the improved area is limited to approved curb cuts or other approved access points, and the surface must be maintained in safe, sanitary condition without contributing to soil erosion, tree damage or standing water, and without diverting runoff onto neighboring properties.

Surfacing must be asphalt, concrete, brick or another suitable paver. Gravel or crushed stone is allowed only if it is at least two inches deep throughout the vehicular use area and the area has a visible, definable edge made of landscape timbers, metal edging, low shrubs, decorative grasses or a similar technique separating it from the rest of the front or corner side yard. A Zoning Clearance Permit is required before any front-yard parking area is constructed, with a plot plan showing the driveway location and any other structures on the parcel.

Two exceptions exist: the Chief of Police may issue a permit allowing temporary front-yard parking for a special event or circumstance, limited to two permitted events per year per residence, and emergency or public-service vehicles are exempt while their operators are actively performing an emergency service.