Tempe, AZ Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Tempe City Code § 21-3(b)(4)
- Max surface coverage
- 35% of visible front/side yard
- Min gravel depth
- 3 inches, permanent border required
- Enforcement
- Community Development, § 21-41
- Civil sanction cap
- Up to $2,000/day per property
Summary
Tempe bans parking a camper, vehicle or trailer in the front or side yard, visible from the street, unless it sits on an "improved area" tied to the driveway. City Code § 21-3(b)(4) caps that surface at 35% of the visible yard, requires gravel or crushed rock at least 3 inches deep inside a permanent border, and bans weeds on it.
To leave or permit to remain outside of any single-family or multifamily dwelling or accessory building any camper, vehicle, or part thereof in any portion of the front or side area of the building visible from the street that is not on an improved area designed or intended for such use. An improved area shall: a. Be contiguous to, parallel with, and share an access point with, the required driveway; b. Have a consistent length and width, but not necessarily the same dimensions of the parking area or required driveway; c. Be no greater than thirty-five percent (35%) of the front and side areas visible from the street; d. Be a minimum of three (3) inches in depth if gravel, crushed rock or other aggregate. If using materials other than asphalt or concrete, an improved surface containing material such as gravel or crushed rock must be contained within a permanent border, imbedded in the ground, delineating the improved area from the remainder of the yard; and e. Be maintained free of all vegetation, including, but not limited to grasses, trees and bushes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Code: Supplement 33 Update 4 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 11 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 21 of the general Tempe City Code, the nuisance and property enhancement chapter, treats improper yard parking as an enumerated violation rather than a zoning matter. " The section spells out five design requirements: the surface must be contiguous to and share an access point with the required driveway; it must hold a consistent length and width; it cannot exceed 35 percent of the front and side yard visible from the street; if it is gravel, crushed rock, or other aggregate it must be at least 3 inches deep and edged with a permanent border embedded in the ground; and it must stay free of grass, weeds and other vegetation.
Section 21-1 defines "improved area" the same way, adding that asphalt, concrete, masonry, metal or wood borders qualify. The Zoning and Development Code cross-references this rule at Section 4-602(B)(7) for recreational-vehicle parking specifically. Community Development enforces the chapter under Section 21-41, and a first violation triggers a notice to comply under Section 21-43 giving the owner a reasonable compliance window before any citation issues, except for properties already classified as habitual offenders, which skip the notice period entirely.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 21-3(b)(4) is a civil sanction under Section 21-42, fined per the City Council's adopted schedule up to $2,000 per day per property, plus a $50 default penalty for failing to appear. The City may instead file a Class 1 misdemeanor charge. Each day the vehicle stays on an unimproved surface is a separate offense, and repeat violators lose the standard notice-to-comply grace period as habitual offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV on gravel in the front yard in Tempe?
Does the improved-area rule apply to cars, not just RVs?
What happens if Community Development cites my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tempe
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