Norman, OK Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Property Maintenance Code § 302.3.1
- Cutoff date
- Must predate March 1973
- Minimum gravel depth
- 3 inches of material required
- Appeal window
- 10 days to file with Board of Adjustment
- Compliance deadline
- 180 days after exception denial
Summary
Norman's Property Maintenance Code Section 302.3.1 presumes every gravel driveway or parking area illegal unless it existed before March 1973, since Norman banned gravel surfaces citywide by zoning ordinance in 1966. Owners must keep gravel substantially weed-free, hold to established borders, and maintain at least three inches of material. Violators risk losing nonconforming status and must pave or remove the surface within 180 days.
302.3.1 Legal nonconforming gravel driveways and parking areas [Added]. Gravel driveways and parking areas have been prohibited by the zoning ordinance (chapter 22) of the City since 1966. It is presumed by the City that all gravel driveways and parking areas are of an illegal, nonconforming status. Any such parking area or driveway must have been in existence prior to March 1973. In order for such parking areas to maintain their legal nonconforming status, the following procedures shall be followed: Gravel surfaces must be kept substantially free of any grass or weeds. Gravel surfaces may not be expanded beyond established borders. The property owner shall ensure that a clear line of demarcation exists at the edges of the gravel drive that is obvious and can be visually verified from the street or sidewalk. In order to comply with the requirement that parking areas be substantially mud- and dust-free, gravel shall be maintained so that at least three inches of material covers the entire parking and driveway area.
Full Breakdown
1 "Legal nonconforming gravel driveways and parking areas," addresses Norman's older gravel driveways directly: "Gravel driveways and parking areas have been prohibited by the zoning ordinance (chapter 22) of the City since 1966. It is presumed by the City that all gravel driveways and parking areas are of an illegal, nonconforming status. " To keep legal nonconforming status, owners must follow three maintenance rules: gravel surfaces "must be kept substantially free of any grass or weeds," may not be "expanded beyond established borders" (with a visually verifiable line of demarcation from the street or sidewalk), and must be "maintained so that at least three inches of material covers the entire parking and driveway area" to stay mud- and dust-free.
If code compliance finds a violation, the City sends a notice of violation; failing to correct it within the stated time triggers criminal charges, and a conviction or nolo plea strips the property of its nonconforming status. "
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a Section 302.3.1 notice of violation leads to prosecution under Property Maintenance Code Section 106.3. A conviction or nolo contendere plea permanently ends the surface's nonconforming status unless the owner files a complete special-exception application with the Board of Adjustment within ten days. If the Board denies that exception, the property owner must remove the gravel or pave the driveway within 180 days or face continued code enforcement action under Section 16-602.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gravel driveway legal in Norman?
What upkeep does a legal gravel driveway need in Norman?
What happens if my gravel driveway is cited and I lose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norman
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