Dearborn, MI Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 18-345(a)(20)
- Applies to
- public and private property citywide
- Exception
- approved parking areas only
- Default penalty
- up to $500 fine (§ 1-9)
Summary
Dearborn's traffic code bars parking on lawns or unpaved ground on both public and private property, closing off the classic move of pulling a car onto the grass instead of pavement.
(a) A person shall not park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places: ... (20) On lawns or other unpaved areas on public and private property, with the exception of approved parking areas.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 18-345(a)(20) of the Dearborn traffic code lists parking on lawns or other unpaved areas on public and private property as one of the specific prohibited-parking situations citywide, with a carve-out only for approved parking areas, meaning a paved or otherwise improved surface the city recognizes as parking. The rule applies everywhere in the city, not just certain streets, and covers the strip between sidewalk and curb as well as private front and side yards. Police and code enforcement can ticket a vehicle parked on grass or dirt even on the owner's own property if the surface isn't an approved parking area.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is a civil infraction; the section itself sets no fine, so it defaults to the Chapter 1 general penalty: up to $500 and/or 93 days in jail under Sec. 1-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on my own front lawn in Dearborn?
What counts as an approved parking area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
Compare Dearborn to another location·View the Michigan parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Driveway Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle driveway rules.