Decatur, AL Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Curb distance
- Right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the curb
- Angle parking
- 45-degree angle, between painted space limit lines
- Downtown limit
- Two hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Overtime fine
- $25.00 per occurrence on § 22-65 streets
- Third conviction
- Municipal judge revokes the driver's license
- Who posts limits
- Chief of police, under § 22-64
Summary
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, a vehicle parked on a street must sit with its right-hand wheels parallel to and within eighteen inches of the curb, or between the painted lines where 45-degree angle parking is marked. On a third conviction under Decatur City Code § 22-63, the municipal judge revokes the driver's license.
(a)No vehicle shall be allowed to park on any street other than with the right hand wheels of such vehicle parallel to and within eighteen (18) inches of the curb; provided that at any place where lines are painted on the street at approximately a forty-five (45) degree angle with the curb, the parking at such place shall be at such forty-five (45) degree angle and between the painted parking space limit lines.(b)A vehicle shall not stand backed up at any angle to a curb unless driven up as near as possible, and if horse-drawn, and with four wheels, the horses shall stand parallel to the curb and facing in the direction of the traffic.(c)For a third conviction for violation of this section the municipal judge shall revoke the driver's license of the person so convicted.
Full Breakdown
The manner-of-parking rule in Decatur City Code § 22-63 sets the baseline for every public street in the City of Decatur. Under subsection (a), no vehicle is allowed to park other than with its right-hand wheels parallel to and within eighteen inches of the curb. Where lines are painted on the street at approximately a 45-degree angle, the vehicle parks at that angle and between the painted parking space limit lines. Subsection (b) bars standing backed up at any angle to a curb unless the vehicle is driven up as near as possible.
Time limits sit in separate sections. Section 22-64 makes it unlawful to let a vehicle registered in your name or operated by you stay on a public street longer than the time posted, and it authorizes the chief of police to post those limits. Section 22-65 fixes a two-hour limit between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, on ten listed downtown segments, including Grant Street SE from Fourth Avenue SE to First Avenue SE, East Moulton Street from Fourth Avenue to the railroad tracks, Bank Street NE, Cain Street NE and Ferry Street NE. A vehicle showing a distinctive handicapped decal or placard in a marked handicapped space is exempt. Under § 22-67, Decatur police officers are authorized to chalk a tire tread to time a vehicle in a limited-parking area, and rubbing off the mark while the vehicle stays in the same space is itself unlawful.
Some street segments carry outright bans. Section 22-57.2 prohibits on-street parking on Lee St. NE between Sixth Ave. NE and Oak St. NE, and on the north side of Holly Street NE from Fourth Avenue NE to Second Avenue NE. Section 22-58.1 bars parking on the entire length of Brookline Avenue, S.W. between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and § 22-60 bars parking on Wilson Street N.E. between Sixth Avenue N.E. and a line 150 feet west of it. Section 22-61 forbids parking on a street for the principal purpose of displaying the vehicle for sale, or washing, greasing or repairing it, except for repairs necessitated by an emergency.
Violations & Fines
The only penalty printed inside § 22-63 is license revocation by the municipal judge on a third conviction. Overtime parking on the § 22-65 downtown streets carries a $25.00 fine per occurrence. Under § 22-70 the police department can remove a vehicle to storage, and the owner pays removal, storage and handling costs before release. Where a section sets no specific penalty, § 1-8 applies: a misdemeanor fine of $1.00 to $500.00, up to six months of imprisonment or hard labor, and each day counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to the curb must I park in Decatur, Alabama?
What is the downtown time limit for street parking?
Can Decatur police tow a car left on the street?
What happens after a third parking conviction under § 22-63?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Decatur
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