Imperial County, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family driveways
- Exempt from paving requirement
- Residential driveway width
- 14 ft minimum
- Commercial/industrial driveway width
- 20 ft minimum
- Citation
- Imperial County Code § 90402.13(C),(H)
Summary
Imperial County exempts single-family driveways from its parking-area paving standards, but still sets minimum widths: 14 feet for residential driveways and 20 feet for commercial or industrial ones.
A private driveway or parking area serving a single-family residential dwelling is exempt from the paving requirements specified within this section, and provided further, that it is not a requirement of another agency, such as Air Pollution Control District or by public works.D.In the case of uses subject to discretionary approvals, the required parking spaces shall be surfaced with materials and to the standards specified in accordance with the conditions of approval, notwithstanding this chapter.E.All parking spaces shall be clearly marked and/or striped.F.Parking aisles shall comply with the following minimum standards.
Arrangement Minimum Aisle Width 30 Degrees Single Row 12 feet 45 Degrees Single or Multiple Row 15 feet 60 Degrees Single or Multiple Row 20 feet 90 Degrees Single or Multiple Row 25 feet
G.Off-street parking facilities shall be designed so that each space can function independently of any other parking space. Tandem parking may be allowed in residential zones only when a minimum of three off-street parking spaces are provided.H.Private driveways for residential development on same lot shall be a minimum of fourteen (14) feet in width, with fifteen (15) feet of unobstructed vertical clearance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Imperial County's off-street parking chapter requires most parking areas, for multifamily, commercial, industrial, and institutional uses, to be surfaced with asphalt, concrete, or similar paving. A private driveway or parking area serving a single-family home is carved out of that paving requirement, unless another agency such as the Air Pollution Control District or public works imposes its own condition. The same section sets minimum driveway dimensions: residential driveways must be at least fourteen feet wide with fifteen feet of vertical clearance, while commercial and industrial driveways must be at least twenty feet wide with eighteen feet of clearance, though the planning director and public works director may jointly approve a reduction.
Violations & Fines
A driveway narrower than the required minimum width, or a paved parking area that skips required surfacing outside the single-family exemption, is a code violation subject to citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my single-family driveway have to be paved in unincorporated Imperial County?
How wide does my driveway need to be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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