Fort Lauderdale, FL Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Sec. 25-13 of the Code of Ordinances puts a flat permission requirement on any rock or paved driveway or parking strip built adjacent to the pavement of a public street, avenue or boulevard in the city: the property owner or builder has to get permission from the office of the city engineer before construction, and has to file a detailed drawing showing the size and nature of the proposed improvement. The section does not set a numeric setback or width, leaving those specifications to the drawing the city engineer reviews and approves case by case.

The requirement sits alongside two related street protections the same chapter enforces: Sec. 25-15 makes it unlawful to remove grass, earth or sand from a street, or to dig one up, without the city engineer's permission, and Sec. 25-16 makes it unlawful to obstruct or injure any pavement, curbing or sidewalk in the city, rules that matter directly to anyone cutting a curb or grading a swale to put in a new driveway. Because Sec. 25-13 itself does not spell out a penalty, an unpermitted driveway or parking strip falls back on the Code's general enforcement structure: a violation of any Code requirement, including a permit requirement created by ordinance, is punished under Sec.

1-6, with a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, and continuing violations counted separately for each day they persist. The city engineer's office administers the review and can require changes to the drawing before granting permission.