Can you park your car in a yard? Here’s what we know about parking around Charlotte.

Evan Moore
·3 min read

Finding a parking spot in a growing city like Charlotte can be tough.

Street parking, surface lots and parking garages are available for varying rates. But they can fill up fast, especially during Carolina Panthers games or concerts at the Spectrum Center.

For some, parking spots can even be hard to come by at home, which means getting creative.

A recent Reddit user described several vehicles parked in the yard of a rental property near their Charlotte home. The commenter wanted to know whether reporting it to the city would result in issues related to the property.

“How do y’all feel about yard parking?” the user asked in the online thread.

Where is it illegal to park in Charlotte?

According to the Charlotte City Code, it is illegal to park your car:

  • In a metered space without paying

  • In front of or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

  • Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to a fire station

  • In a fire lane

  • In front of a public or private driveway

  • On a sidewalk or crosswalk

  • On a bridge

  • On a median

  • Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection

  • Within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal

  • In the grass in front of a dwelling

RELATED: Where should you park in Charlotte? How to find a space in busy neighborhoods

What is the penalty for parking illegally in Charlotte?

Drivers who park their cars illegally could receive citations with fines ranging from $25-$100 depending on the infraction, according to the City of Charlotte website.

Vehicles can also be towed if they are parked in hazardous locations or on streets during traffic hours.

Towed vehicles can be retrieved by paying a $100 towing fee, the ticket that caused the tow and any outstanding parking tickets.

The city has the authority to use wheel locks on vehicles that are illegally parked for three or more days and have parking tickets that are 90 days overdue.

How to pay a parking ticket in Charlotte

There are four ways to pay parking tickets in Charlotte, according to the city’s website:

  • Online: Tickets can be paid online at any time.

  • By phone: Payments can be made by calling 980-270-2129. Callers must pay a $3 per ticket service charge, and they must pay all outstanding tickets.

  • By mail: Personal checks, money orders and cashier’s checks payable to the City of Charlotte can be mailed to 333 E. Trade St., Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28202. Cash is not an accepted form of payment.

  • By drop box: Payments can be made at drop box locations at any time. The drop boxes are located at the front entrance of the Government Center at 600 E. Fourth St., and at the handicap entrance at 200 S. Davidson St.

Can you appeal a parking ticket in Charlotte?

If you believe your parking ticket was issued incorrectly, you can submit an appeal form online.

According to the City of Charlotte, the following reasons are not grounds for appeal:

  • Lack of knowledge about parking laws

  • Tardiness going to or returning from appointments

  • Inability to find a parking space

  • Failure to have enough money for a parking meter

Charlotte Observer reporter Mary Ramsey contributed to this story