Sacramento County, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- Lots ≤15,000 sq ft
- Requirement
- Impervious surfacing mandatory
- Larger lots
- Permeable paving encouraged, not required
- Landscaped areas
- Off-limits for vehicle parking
Summary
Vehicle parking on residential lots of 15,000 sq ft or less must sit on impervious paving, not bare dirt or landscaped ground.
On lots of 15,000 square feet or less, impervious surfacing is required for vehicle parking. The use of permeable and cool paving is encouraged for vehicular areas on lots that exceed 15,000 square feet, in lieu of required impervious surfacing.
c. Parking Space Size.
Section titled “c. Parking Space Size.”
Each parking space provided must be at least nine feet wide by 19 feet long.
d. Garages.
Section titled “d. Garages.”
Not required. However, if provided, the minimum interior dimension of garages shall be 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep, which is considered a single vehicle parking space. Reductions in length and/or area of up to 10 percent of the standard may be considered administratively, if the project demonstrates the proposed garage will accommodate at least one standard size vehicle.
e. Driveways.
Section titled “e. Driveways.”
Driveways must be a minimum of 19 feet in length. However, when a carport or garage opens onto a side street yard, the driveway length shall be a minimum of 20 feet.
f. Limit on Parking Areas.
Section titled “f. Limit on Parking Areas.”
Parking areas are limited to not more than the greater of the following:
The area leading directly to a legally constructed carport or enclosed garage (Figure 5-13, Example 1). 40 percent of the land area between the front lot line and the front wall of the primary dwelling that is furthest from the front lot line for interior lots (Figure 5-13, Example 2).
Full Breakdown
Sacramento County's Zoning Code requires impervious surfacing for any vehicle parking area on lots of 15,000 square feet or less; larger lots are encouraged, not required, to use permeable or cool paving instead. A related provision (§ 5.2.4.C.6) bars parking cars, boats, campers, and trailers within the required front-yard landscaped area: vehicles must stay on the surfaced parking area itself.
Violations & Fines
Code Enforcement can require removal of vehicles parked on unpaved dirt or lawn and require the area be paved or landscaped to standard; repeat violations can escalate to a Zoning Code citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on my gravel or dirt front yard in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Does this rule apply inside Sacramento city limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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