San Bernardino, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SBMC § 10.16.240
- Residential exception
- Paved/durable driveway or pad only
- Enforcing agency
- Facilities Management / parking control checkers
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100 (SBMC § 1.12.010)
- Adopted
- Ord. MC-1064, 2000
Summary
San Bernardino bans parking on any unpaved parcel of real property, but the ordinance carves out a specific exception for residential driveways: an unpaved driveway or a durable drive approach or pad built for parking is exempt. Parking control checkers and Facilities Management enforce the rule under § 10.16.240, ticketing bare-dirt parking that falls outside that residential driveway carve-out.
A person shall not stop, stand or park a vehicle on any unpaved parcel of real property; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the parking of a vehicle in a residential zone on an unpaved driveway or a drive approach to a garage or other durable or permanent driveway or pad installed for the purpose of parking such vehicle on a parcel of real property which is not subject to § 19.24.060(18) of the Development Code at the time of violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
240 makes it unlawful to stop, stand or park a vehicle on any unpaved parcel of real property anywhere in the city. 060(18) at the time of the violation. In practice a resident who parks on bare dirt off any constructed driveway or pad is still in violation, while parking on a defined unpaved driveway surface is not. 010; citations are issued under Cal. Vehicle Code § 40202, the same statute the city uses for its other parking-control notices. The ordinance was added by Ord.
250, which bans unpaved-lot parking outright except where a temporary use permit has been granted. 240 turns on whether a driveway or pad is durable or permanent, code enforcement documents the surface condition before issuing a notice, and a resident disputing a citation can raise the driveway's construction as a defense.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is an infraction: fines start at $100 under the citywide penalty schedule in § 1.12.010, rising to $200 for a second offense within a year and $500 for each further offense in that year; a fourth violation within 12 months becomes a misdemeanor. Enforcement authority runs through Facilities Management, parking control checkers and police officers citywide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on my dirt side yard in San Bernardino?
What counts as an exempt driveway under this rule?
How much is the fine for unpaved parking in San Bernardino?
Does this rule apply to commercial and industrial lots too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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Driveway Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle driveway rules.