Portland, OR Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Paving requirement
- All driveways/parking areas must be paved
- Front-yard cap
- 40% max of front-yard land area
- Corner-lot cap
- 20% max of side-street yard
- Driveway width
- Minimum 9 feet wide
- Gravel exception
- Only if abutting street unpaved
Summary
Houses in Portland must pave driveways and parking areas, and can pave at most 40% of the front yard between the lot line and the house, per Title 33.266.120.
No more than 40 percent of the land area between the front lot line and the front building line may be paved or used for vehicle areas. ... The minimum driveway width on private property is 9 feet. ... All driveways and parking areas must be paved. Gravel surfaces may be approved by PP&D when the abutting street or alley is not paved, and the applicant executes a covenant agreeing to pave the area if the street or alley is paved in the future.
Full Breakdown
Portland's zoning code requires that all driveways and parking areas on residential lots be paved (Portland City Code § 33.266.120). Between the front lot line and the front building line, no more than 40 percent of that land can be paved or used for vehicle area; corner lots face a 20 percent cap on the side-street yard. Driveways must be at least 9 feet wide. Gravel is allowed only where the abutting street or alley itself is unpaved, and only if the owner signs a covenant to pave once the street is paved. Utility trailers and non-motorized recreational vehicles can sit on unpaved surfaces without a covenant.
Violations & Fines
Building without required paving, or exceeding the 40% front-yard vehicle-area cap, violates Title 33 development standards enforced by Portland Permitting & Development through code compliance and permit review, with correction required before permits clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my Portland driveway unpaved?
How much of my front yard can I pave for parking in Portland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon parking rules overview
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Driveway Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle driveway rules.