Fillmore Driveway Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Fillmore Municipal Code Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) and the zoning provisions of Title 15 work together to regulate where and how vehicles may be parked on residential property. All vehicle parking on private lots must occur on a paved or otherwise approved hard surface such as concrete, asphalt, or permeable pavers meeting city standards. Parking on bare dirt, gravel, grass, or landscaped areas is prohibited. In Fillmore's older neighborhoods, where many homes predate modern driveway standards, informal gravel or dirt parking pads are a common code enforcement issue. Any expansion or resurfacing of a driveway or parking pad requires a building permit from the Community Development Department.

Vehicles parked on a driveway may not extend beyond the property line into the public sidewalk or right-of-way. Fillmore's compact downtown grid and older residential streets have narrow sidewalks, so even a few feet of vehicle overhang can force pedestrians into the street. The city enforces this requirement through both code enforcement complaints and periodic sweeps. Additionally, vehicles stored on residential property must carry current DMV registration with valid tags visible on the windshield or license plate. Inoperable vehicles — those that are not running, have flat tires, are missing major components, or display expired registration — may not be kept in open view on driveways, front yards, or side yards.

Inoperable or unregistered vehicles must be stored inside an enclosed garage or behind a solid fence or wall at least six feet high that fully screens the vehicle from public view. A tarp draped over a vehicle in an open driveway does not satisfy the screening requirement. Fillmore's zoning code also requires that garage spaces be maintained for vehicle parking purposes. Converting a garage to a living space, workshop, or storage room without pulling permits and either providing replacement parking or qualifying under the state ADU exemption is a violation.

Residents who need to store a project vehicle or classic car under restoration should ensure it is fully enclosed. Contact the City of Fillmore Community Development Department at (805) 524-3701 for questions about driveway permits, garage conversions, or vehicle storage requirements.