Vancouver, WA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Surface
- Improved all weather surface required
- Improved surface means
- Asphalt, concrete, pavers or other surface approved by planning official
- Setback parking
- Only front yard or side street setback, in a driveway
- Driveway condition
- Must lead to an approved parking location and meet VMC Title 20
- Blocking
- Parked vehicles shall not block access to required parking
- Civil penalty schedule
- $250 first, $500 second, $1,000 subsequent
Summary
Vancouver, Washington requires motor vehicles to be parked on improved all weather surfaces. Outside a driveway, vehicles cannot be parked in setbacks; the only setback parking allowed is in the front yard or side street setback when the vehicle sits in a driveway that leads to an approved parking location and meets VMC Title 20.
A. Motor vehicles. Motor vehicles shall be parked on improved all weather surfaces. Motor Vehicles, other than those in subsection (B) of this section, shall not be parked in the setbacks except in front yard or side street setbacks when in a driveway that provides access to an approved parking location and in conformance with VMC title 20. Parked motor vehicles shall not block access to required parking.
Full Breakdown
VMC 17.14.290(A) has three sentences, and each does separate work. The first requires motor vehicles to be parked on improved all weather surfaces. The chapter defines that phrase as asphalt, concrete, pavers or other surface approved by the planning official, so a lawn or bare ground does not qualify as a parking surface.
The second sentence covers setbacks. Motor vehicles, other than the recreational vehicles, boats and trailers governed by subsection B, shall not be parked in the setbacks. The one exception is the front yard or a side street setback, and only when the vehicle is in a driveway that provides access to an approved parking location and in conformance with VMC Title 20. Rear and interior side setbacks are therefore closed to ordinary vehicle parking, and a front yard setback is open only where a real driveway leads to an approved parking location.
The third sentence protects required parking: parked motor vehicles shall not block access to required parking. A driveway that serves a required space cannot be used to trap that space behind another vehicle.
Maintenance is covered in VMC 17.14.270(M), which requires sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas on private property to be maintained free from hazardous conditions and in compliance with approved site or plot plans and barrier free accessible parking requirements.
Recreational vehicles, boats and trailers follow a stricter set of conditions in VMC 17.14.290(B), including the licensed and registered requirement, sight triangle clearance under 20.985 VMC and a 6' screen for side and rear yard parking. Trucks and heavy equipment are addressed in subsections C and D.
Violations & Fines
These are chapter 17.14 requirements enforced under VMC Title 22. The penalty schedule in VMC 22.02.070(D) applies to all chapters in Title 17 except chapter 17.39: $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $1,000 for subsequent violations within any two-year period. A daily monetary penalty accrues under the same schedule if the corrective action in the notice of civil violation and order is not completed by the corrective date, and cumulative penalties require written notice of an opportunity to appeal under VMC 22.03.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on my lawn or gravel in Vancouver, WA?
Where in the setbacks can a car be parked?
Can I park in front of my neighbor's garage or required space?
Do driveways have to be kept in repair?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vancouver
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