West Haven, CT Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Subsection E of § 129-6 of the West Haven Code, part of the Blight Prevention chapter adopted by the City Council, is the city's front-yard parking rule. It says no motor vehicle or boat shall be parked on residential property between the street and any house located thereon except on a driveway or other paved parking area approved by Planning and Zoning. Two conditions must be met for legal parking in that strip: the surface has to be a driveway or other paved parking area, and Planning and Zoning has to have approved it.

Lawn, gravel or bare dirt in front of the house does not qualify under the printed text. The section prints no width, length or material standard; the approval decision belongs to Planning and Zoning. The term motor vehicle is defined in § 129-2 to include automobiles, buses, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, go-carts, ATVs, snowmobiles, campers and trailers, and parts thereof, so the rule reaches recreational and towed equipment as well as cars. The definition of boat covers any vessel designed for travel on water and propelled by oars, paddles, sail or motor.

Subsection F exempts any motor vehicle on private property enclosed within a building held in connection with a business enterprise lawfully licensed by the City and properly operated in the appropriate zone. Other parts of § 129-6 apply on top of this rule: Subsection A limits residential property to one unregistered motor vehicle or one registered vehicle not fit for public highways, and requires a fully enclosed garage or similar structure for it. Enforcement follows § 129-8, where the Building Official, West Haven Police officers, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Property Maintenance Inspectors can issue citations under Chapter 128.