Santa Clara County, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Surface requirement
- treated or paved, dust-controlled
- Frontage coverage cap
- 40% of street frontage
- Front yard coverage cap
- 40% of front yard area
- Lawn parking
- prohibited outside driveway
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County requires paved, dust-controlled driveways for single-family homes, caps driveway and parking-area coverage at 40 percent of the front yard, and bans parking on front lawns.
5. The surface of all off-street parking areas and driveways shall be treated or paved and maintained such that ongoing use of such driveways and parking areas does not generate significant dust or mud. ... 7. Driveways and parking areas may not be wider than 40 percent of the width of the lot's frontage along the street... Driveways and parking areas cumulatively may not cover more than 40 percent of the land area of the front yard... 8. Vehicles may not be parked on front lawns or other portions of the front yard except designated parking and driveway areas as specified in subsections 5 and 7, above.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
For single- and two-family homes in the unincorporated county, driveways and off-street parking surfaces must be treated or paved so ongoing use doesn't generate significant dust or mud. Driveways and parking areas together can't exceed 40 percent of the lot's street frontage width, and cumulatively can't cover more than 40 percent of the front yard's land area (exceptions apply to flag lots, narrow-frontage lots, and lots needing extra space for an ADU). Vehicles can't be parked on front lawns or any other part of the front yard outside the designated driveway and parking areas. Cities within the county, including San Jose and Palo Alto, set their own driveway standards.
Violations & Fines
An unpaved driveway, an oversized paved area, or a vehicle parked on the lawn is a zoning violation. County zoning enforcement officers can cite it as an infraction, escalating to a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 and one year in county jail) under § 5.80.100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my driveway unpaved in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Can I park on my front lawn if my driveway is full?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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