Highland, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Section 8.32.020(H) of the Highland Municipal Code targets parking on unimproved ground in the City of Highland. The rule is a flat nuisance declaration: the parking of a vehicle on any unpaved parcel of real property, or any portion of one, constitutes a public nuisance. The code then defines an unpaved parcel of land as a surface of dirt, loose gravel, landscaped area and/or other unimproved surface, so a lawn, a gravel pad and a bare dirt strip all count. The subsection carves out two exceptions: parking specifically permitted by city ordinance, and parking on a public street and/or shoulder within the public right-of-way. A footnote in the code directs readers to Chapter 10.20 HMC for the vehicle abatement and removal program.

Neighboring subsections of the same section reach related yard conditions. Subsection (E) makes the accumulation and storage of dismantled, wrecked, inoperable, junked or abandoned vehicles or parts on private property a nuisance. Subsection (F) addresses stored materials, including in vehicles, trailers and mobile storage units, in the front yard or side-yard setbacks of residential properties when visible from the street for more than 48 hours.

Procedure follows Chapter 8.32. The building official notifies the owner, and the notification has to establish an abatement period of not less than 10 days under Section 8.32.030. The owner can abate voluntarily and tell the building official, who then inspects. If the nuisance remains, a hearing before the planning commission acting as the appeals board decides whether it exists. The hearing notice tells the owner they can bring witnesses, photographs and reports and can be represented by an attorney. The owner can appeal the resulting order to the city council in writing within 10 days of service under Section 8.32.210. Administrative citations under Chapter 2.56 HMC run in parallel.