Fountain Valley, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Two items of § 8.04.020 govern front yard parking in the City of Fountain Valley. Item (13) declares a public nuisance any vehicle parked in the open space area of a front yard in a residential zone unless three conditions are all met: the vehicle is operative, it has current licensing, and it sits on a paved drive approach to a required garage, on another permitted driveway, or on a fully paved narrow side yard strip adjacent to it. A car that does not run, a car with lapsed registration, and any vehicle on lawn, dirt or gravel in the front yard each fail the test.

Item (20) addresses the yard surface. A front yard with excessive weeds, debris, uncultivated dirt or an unkempt appearance, or one that lacks appropriate decorative healthy planted matter, is a nuisance. Concrete or decorative rock or bark is an allowable front yard treatment only if appropriate turf, plants or other living landscape materials, or synthetic turf in good condition meeting Section 21.20.055, are also used. Item (22) separately bars keeping boats or other watercraft in a required front or side yard unless they are on a validly licensed trailer parked lawfully.

Inoperative vehicles also fall under § 8.04.160, which adopts the Vehicle Code abatement procedure: at least ten days' notice to the last registered and legal owner, a hearing at which the landowner can deny responsibility, and notice to the Department of Motor Vehicles within five days after removal. Street parking is governed elsewhere. Under § 10.44.265 a recreational vehicle longer than twenty-two feet, wider than eighty-four inches or heavier than ten thousand pounds cannot stop, stand or park on a street forty feet wide or less curb to curb.

The police department issues thirty-six hour loading permits, limited to eight periods a calendar month, and twenty-four hour visitor permits, limited to three periods a month per residence.