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San Marcos, TX Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing sections
Sec. 82.184–82.185, San Marcos Code
Applies to
Single-family residential zoning districts
Compliant surface
Paved area from curb, street, or alley
Side-yard alternative
Six-foot opaque fence screening
Penalty
Fine up to $500 per violation

Summary

San Marcos prohibits parking any motor vehicle, large vehicle, farm equipment, boat, or trailer on the unpaved front or side yard of a single-family lot; every wheel must sit on a permanent paved surface.

It is unlawful for a person to park or allow to remain parked a motor vehicle, large motor vehicle, farm equipment, construction vehicle, boat, personal watercraft or trailer of any kind at any time in the side or front yard, in any single-family residential zoning district.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).

Full Breakdown

Under Sec. 82.184, San Marcos makes it unlawful to park or leave parked a motor vehicle, large motor vehicle, farm equipment, construction vehicle, boat, personal watercraft, or trailer at any time on the front or side yard of a single-family residential lot: parking straight on grass or dirt isn't allowed. Sec. 82.185 sets the only way around it: every wheel must sit on a permanently maintained parking surface running in a contiguous course from the curb, street, or alley, built of materials the Development Code permits and capped at the area the Development Code allows; a side-yard vehicle can instead be screened by a six-foot opaque fence.

Violations & Fines

Marshals department, environmental health, and planning staff enforce under Sec. 82.188. Violations carry a fine up to $500 under the Code's general penalty (Sec. 1.015), and the property owner can be cited along with the vehicle's owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park my car on the grass in my San Marcos front yard?
No. Sec. 82.184 bans parking on the unpaved front or side yard in single-family districts; every wheel must sit on a permanently maintained paved surface reaching from the curb, street, or alley.
Can I keep a boat or RV in the side yard on grass?
Only if it's fully screened from the public right-of-way by a six-foot opaque fence, per the Sec. 82.185(c) exception: otherwise it needs the same paved surface as the front yard.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Marcos

Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsStreet Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSignificant RestrictionsRV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsAbandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsCommercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsLoading ZonesLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Store RulesSignificant Restrictions

All San Marcos rules

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