Montgomery County, MD Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies in
- R-200, R-90, R-60, R-40 zones
- R-200/R-90 cap
- 30% of yard or 320 sq ft
- R-60/R-40 cap
- 35% of yard or 320 sq ft
- Non-surfaced parking
- prohibited outright
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Permitting Services (DPS)
Summary
In R-200, R-90, R-60, and R-40 zones, front and side-yard parking must sit on a surfaced pad, and that pad is capped at 30-35% of the yard area.
1. Parking for any vehicle or trailer in the area between the lot line and the front or side street building line must be on a surfaced parking area. 2. ...the maximum surfaced parking area between the lot line and the front or side street building line...is: a. in the R-200 and R-90 zones, 30% or 320 square feet, whichever is greater; and b. in the R-60 and R-40 zones, 35% or 320 square feet, whichever is greater. 4. Parking a vehicle...on a non-surfaced parking area...on less than 160 square feet of surfaced parking area for each vehicle is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The Zoning Ordinance requires that any vehicle parked between the lot line and the front or side street building line sit on a surfaced parking area. In the R-200 and R-90 zones the surfaced area is capped at 30% of that yard (or 320 square feet, whichever is greater); in the R-60 and R-40 zones the cap is 35% (or 320 square feet). Parking on bare ground, gravel-only areas, or oversized pads outside these limits is prohibited, with narrow exceptions for pre-2010 pads, lots fronting major roads, and DPS safety waivers.
Violations & Fines
DPS may cite and require removal of non-surfaced parking or oversized paved area; a waiver from DPS is the only administrative escape route besides the code's built-in exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on grass or gravel in my front yard?
Is there a size limit on a paved parking pad?
Does this rule apply in Rockville or Gaithersburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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