Montgomery, AL Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Sec. 27-395 makes it unlawful citywide to park a motor vehicle in the front yard of a residence or business unless the vehicle sits in a driveway, and separately bans parking over any part of a sidewalk or any unpaved portion of the public right-of-way. The ordinance defines 'driveway' narrowly: it must be constructed for parking, surfaced with asphalt, concrete, pavers or stone, connect to the public street, and include a curb cut where curbing exists; a paver or stone surface additionally needs edging that keeps the material from spreading, or it doesn't count as a driveway at all.

'Front yard' is defined as the full-width strip of the lot between the public street and the front of the principal building. The section carries three built-in exceptions: vehicles parked briefly in the front yard for loading, unloading or washing, capped at three hours in any 24-hour period; authorized emergency vehicles actively answering a call; and historic districts, where the section never overrides stricter land-use rules already governing driveway construction there. The mayor or a designee enforces the section by posting a citation on the vehicle's windshield, and can enter private property to do it; the registered owner then has 30 calendar days to plead guilty and pay, or the case goes to municipal court.