Columbus, IN Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Section 10.28.220(A) of the Columbus Municipal Code lists the places where no person can stop, stand or park. Among them: on a sidewalk; on or in front of a painted yellow curb; in front of a public or private driveway; within an intersection; on a crosswalk; and within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Alongside a fire lane, or in front of and within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant, is barred in all areas of the city, whether the hydrant is on private or public property. The list adds thirty feet on the approach to a flashing beacon, stop sign or traffic control signal, fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing, twenty feet of a fire station driveway, and seventy-five feet opposite a fire station entrance when properly signposted. Parking on the roadway side of a parked vehicle, on bridges, and anywhere official signs prohibit stopping is also barred. Item 17 bars parking any vehicle, trailer, construction equipment, recreational vehicle or bus in the city right of way between a curb and sidewalk.

Other sections in Chapter 10.28 add street-specific rules. Section 10.28.080 bars parking that leaves less than ten feet of roadway width for free movement of traffic. Section 10.28.130 lets the city traffic engineer sign no parking on roadways not exceeding twenty feet wide, or one side where the roadway does not exceed thirty feet. Section 10.28.100 bars parking on public property or right-of-way for the principal purpose of displaying a vehicle for sale or washing, greasing or repairing it, except emergency repairs.

Enforcement belongs to the police department: Section 10.04.020(D) lets city personnel designated by the chief of police issue citations. Section 10.28.340 makes registration prima facie proof of who was in control of the vehicle, and Section 10.28.330 excuses parking made necessary by mechanical trouble, traffic conditions or accident.