Alachua County, FL Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Driveway clearance
- No parking within 5 feet of a driveway
- Hydrant clearance
- No parking within 15 feet of a hydrant
- Crosswalk clearance
- No parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk
- Curb distance
- Must park within 12 inches of curb
- Immobilization trigger
- 3+ unpaid citations = Denver boot
- Impoundment trigger
- 5+ unpaid citations = vehicle towed
Summary
Alachua County Code § 51.33 prohibits parking within five feet of a driveway, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk, double-parking beside a vehicle already at the curb, and parking more than 12 inches from the curb, throughout unincorporated Alachua County and the City of Hawthorne. A registered owner faces an administrative fine under § 51.37.
Within the unincorporated area of the county, and within the corporate limits of the City of Hawthorne, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a law enforcement officer or official traffic control device, no person shall: (1)Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:a.On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street. ... (2)Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers:a.In front of or within five feet of a public or private driveway.b.Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.c.Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. ... (4)No person shall move a vehicle that is not lawfully under his or her control into any prohibited area as listed above or more than 12 inches away from a curb.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
33(1)-(4) of the county's Comprehensive Parking Code sets the baseline on-street parking rules for unincorporated Alachua County and, by the same division, the City of Hawthorne. Subsection (1)(a) bars stopping 'on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street': the county's double-parking prohibition. Subsection (2) bars standing or parking, except momentarily to load or unload passengers, within five feet of a public or private driveway, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, within 30 feet of the approach to a stop sign or signal, and within 20 feet of a fire station driveway (75 feet on the opposite side when posted).
Subsection (4) closes the loop: no person may move an uncontrolled vehicle into any prohibited spot listed in the section, or park more than 12 inches from the curb. 37, regardless of who was driving. 1967 civil penalties can also attach to the nonmoving violation. 39 once three or five unpaid citations accumulate on record.
Violations & Fines
Blocking a driveway, hydrant, or crosswalk, or double-parking, draws a nonmoving parking citation under § 51.33 enforced administratively under §§ 51.37-51.38. The registered owner owes the resolution-set fine within 72 hours; late payment adds a $10.00 fee, and a vehicle with three or more unpaid citations can be immobilized with a Denver boot, or impounded once five citations accumulate, under § 51.39.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my driveway can a neighbor park in unincorporated Alachua County?
Can I double-park next to a car already parked at the curb?
What happens after I rack up several unpaid parking tickets?
How far from a fire hydrant must I park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida parking rules overview
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