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Albemarle County, VA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
County Code § 9-102(A)
Driveway/sidewalk fine
$25.00, doubles to $50.00
Fire lane fine
$50.00, doubles to $100.00
Overtime parking fine
$10.00, doubles to $20.00
Disabled space violation
Class 2 misdemeanor, $100-$500
Repeat violators
3+ notices: vehicle may be towed (§ 9-115)

Summary

Albemarle County Code § 9-102(A) bars parking or stopping on sidewalks, in front of driveways, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or mailbox, in crosswalks, bus zones, fire lanes, or no-parking zones, and bans double-parking and overtime parking. Each violation carries its own fine under the schedule in § 9-116(E), most set at $25.00 and doubling to $50.00 if unpaid.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Albemarle County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A.Parking or stopping a vehicle in various locations prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to park or stop a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid traffic or with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following locations:1.On any sidewalk;2.In or in front of a driveway so as to block the use of that driveway;3.Within 15 feet of any fire hydrant or any mailbox;4.Any closer to a corner than is indicated by signs or marks upon the road or curb or within 20 feet of an intersection;5.Within any bus zone, as indicated by signs or marks upon the road or curb;6.Within a marked crosswalk;7.Abreast of another vehicle parallel to a curb (double parking);8.Within any loading zone, as indicated by signs or marks upon the road or curb;9.Within any zone indicated by signs or marks upon the road or curb as a no parking zone;10.At any location for a longer time than is permitted by signs or marks upon the road or curb (overtime parking);

Full Breakdown

Section 9-102(A) of the Albemarle County Code lists sixteen places where it is unlawful to park or stop a vehicle, except to avoid traffic or on a police officer's direction: on any sidewalk; in or in front of a driveway so as to block it; within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or mailbox; closer to a corner than signs allow or within 20 feet of an intersection; in a marked bus zone or crosswalk; abreast of another vehicle (double parking); in a loading zone or posted no-parking zone; longer than the posted time limit (overtime parking); in a marked fire lane; on grass unless signs permit it; within 50 feet of a railroad crossing; on a bridge, elevated structure, or in a tunnel; or anywhere official signs prohibit parking.

00. Separately, § 9-107 makes it unlawful to stand or park on private property without the owner's consent, and a posted no-parking sign on the lot creates a rebuttable presumption the owner did not consent. 00.

Violations & Fines

Most street-parking violations under § 9-102(A), such as parking on a sidewalk, blocking a driveway, or double parking, carry a $25.00 fine that doubles to $50.00 if unpaid within 48 hours of the notice under § 9-116(B). Overtime parking is $10.00/$20.00 and fire-lane parking is $50.00/$100.00. Illegally using a disabled parking space is a class 2 misdemeanor under § 9-105, fined $100.00 to $500.00, and vehicles with three or more unsettled notices can be immobilized or towed under § 9-115.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park in front of my neighbor's driveway in Albemarle County?
No. Section 9-102(A)(2) makes it unlawful to park in or in front of a driveway so as to block its use, and the fine schedule in § 9-116(E) sets a $25.00 penalty, doubling to $50.00 if unpaid within 48 hours.
How close to a fire hydrant can I park?
Not within 15 feet. Section 9-102(A)(3) and (14) both bar parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, or otherwise obstructing one, and the violation carries the same $25.00/$50.00 fine as blocking a driveway.
What happens if I get several parking tickets and don't pay them?
Under § 9-115, once a vehicle has three or more unsettled parking violation notices, a police officer or designated Chief of Police personnel may immobilize or remove it, and the vehicle can ultimately be sold under Virginia Code § 46.2-1209 if the fines go unpaid.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Albemarle County

All Albemarle County rules

Compare Albemarle County to another location·View the Virginia parking rules overview

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