Arlington County, VA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Driveway blocking
- Banned outright, § 14.2-38(A)(2)
- Fire hydrant buffer
- 15 feet, § 14.2-38(A)(4)
- Intersection buffer
- 20 feet from curb lines (15 feet if no curb)
- Sidewalks/crosswalks
- No stopping, standing or parking
- Disabled space misuse fine
- $500 under § 14.2-38.1
Summary
Arlington County bans stopping, standing or parking on sidewalks, crosswalks, and within intersections, plus fixed buffers around fire hydrants, fire stations and street corners: 15 feet from a hydrant, and 15 to 20 feet from an intersection's curb or property lines.
A. No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places: 1. On a sidewalk; 2. In front of a public or private driveway; 3. Within an intersection; 4. Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant or entrance to a fire station; 5. Within twenty (20) feet from the intersection of curb lines or, if none, then within fifteen (15) feet of the intersection or property lines at an intersection of highways unless otherwise designated; 6. On a crosswalk; 7. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge of curb of a street; 8. In any fire lane designated by the Fire Chief in accordance with § 8-3/F-313.0 [8-10.3.6] of the Arlington County Fire Prevention Code; 9. In any designated school bus loading zone; 10. In front of emergency exits of schools and other public buildings or grounds which have been designated by the County Manager.
Full Breakdown
2-38 lists ten specific places where no one may stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid a traffic conflict or when directed otherwise by a police officer or traffic-control device. 0; in a designated school bus loading zone; and in front of emergency exits of schools or other public buildings designated by the County Manager. The driveway-blocking and hydrant-buffer rules are the two most commonly cited in day-to-day enforcement, since they protect access for the property owner and for firefighting equipment respectively.
This section dates to a 1975 ordinance and was last amended by Ordinance No. 12-06 in 2012. 2-33, which lets the County Manager designate additional no-parking or restricted-parking zones by posted sign, making it unlawful to park in those signed areas once the regulation takes effect.
Violations & Fines
Stopping, standing or parking in any of the ten prohibited locations under § 14.2-38, including sidewalks, driveways, intersections, crosswalks, and the hydrant and intersection buffer zones, is a parking violation subject to citation and fine under the County's general traffic-infraction schedule. Parking in a disabled-reserved space without the required plate or placard carries a separate $500 fine under § 14.2-38.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone park in front of my driveway in Arlington County?
How close to a fire hydrant can I park in Arlington County?
How far from an intersection do I need to park in Arlington County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
Compare Arlington County to another location·View the Virginia parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.