Asheville, NC Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Fire hydrant clearance
- No parking within 15 feet
- Fire station clearance
- No parking within 25 feet of driveway
- Driveways
- No parking in front of private driveway
- Bike lanes
- No parking in marked bicycle lane
- Fire lanes
- Unattended parking triggers towing
- Correct orientation
- Curbside wheels within 12 inches, facing traffic
Summary
Asheville City Code Sec. 19-137(a) bans stopping, standing, or parking in front of any private driveway, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 25 feet of a fire station entrance, in a crosswalk or intersection, or in a marked bicycle lane. Sec. 19-144 separately requires cars to park headed with the flow of traffic and within 12 inches of the curb.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to stop, stand or park such vehicle in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or with the direction of a police officer or traffic signal: (1) Within an intersection... (4) Within 25 feet of the driveway or entrance to any fire station; (5) Within 15 feet of any fire hydrant; (6) In front of any private driveway; (7) In a designated bicycle lane that is identified with pavement markings and/or signs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-5: Contains Supplement, current through Ordinance 5245, passed 7-28-2026 | State legislation current through 2025 A.L.S. #3).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 19-137(a) lists fourteen places where stopping, standing, or parking is unlawful except to avoid a traffic conflict or on a police officer's direction, including within an intersection or crosswalk, between a safety zone and the curb, within 25 feet of a fire station driveway, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in front of a private driveway, in a marked bicycle lane, on a sidewalk, curb, or median, and anywhere signed as a no-parking zone. S. 1 applies, and by parking in a fire lane the owner is deemed to have appointed any law enforcement officer as their agent to arrange towing and storage.
The wrong-way problem the target flags is addressed by Sec. 19-144(a): except when obeying traffic control, a vehicle must be parked parallel to the curb, headed in the direction of traffic, with its curbside wheels within 12 inches of the edge of the road, unless angle parking is marked. Sec. 19-137 is one of the seven sections in Sec. 00 infraction fine used elsewhere in the chapter.
Violations & Fines
A Sec. 19-137 violation is an infraction under N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 14-4, but Sec. 19-14 places this section among those instead assessed a civil penalty from Appendix B. Parking unattended in a fire lane lets any law enforcement officer arrange towing at the owner's expense without personal liability absent wanton misconduct. Civil penalties may be appealed to the city manager within 15 days under Sec. 19-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park in front of someone's driveway in Asheville?
How close can I legally park to a fire hydrant?
What happens if I park in a fire lane and walk away?
Do I have to park facing the direction of traffic?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Asheville
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