In Arizona, your HOA can regulate parking on private community streets, driveways and common areas, but under A.R.S. § 33-1818 it generally cannot regulate parking on public streets once they have been dedicated to and accepted by the city or town. In communities managed by Transcend Community Management, check your CC&Rs and rules for RV, trailer, guest and garage parking.
Public or private streets? The first question
Who controls parking in your neighborhood depends mainly on who owns the streets.
| Street type | Who regulates parking | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Public streets dedicated to and accepted by the city or town | The city or town, through its traffic and parking laws | Many single-family subdivisions with open access |
| Private streets owned by the association | The HOA, under its CC&Rs and rules | Gated communities, many townhome and condo communities |
| Driveways, garages and lots | The HOA, under its CC&Rs and rules | All communities |
Under A.R.S. § 33-1818, after a community’s streets are dedicated to and accepted by a city or town, the association may not regulate parking on those public roadways; the city’s rules apply. If you have a parking concern on a public street, contact the city. Our page on HOA versus city code enforcement explains the split, and homeowner protections for flags, signs, solar and parking covers related statutes. This is general information, not legal advice; your governing documents and an Arizona HOA attorney control.
Common HOA parking rules
- Garage use: some CC&Rs require that garages be available for parking vehicles, not converted entirely to storage.
- Driveway parking: vehicles must usually be on the paved driveway, not on desert landscaping, gravel or the side yard.
- Inoperable vehicles: vehicles that do not run, are on blocks or have expired registration are often prohibited in view.
- Commercial vehicles: rules may limit large work trucks, box trucks or vehicles with equipment racks.
- Private street parking: communities with private streets may restrict overnight parking or require permits, especially where streets are narrow and fire lanes must stay clear.
Arizona law also includes protections for certain residents who drive marked public safety or public service vehicles, subject to conditions. Ask us if this applies to you.
RVs, boats and trailers
Arizona’s mild winters and proximity to lakes and mountains make RVs, boats, side-by-sides and toy haulers popular. Most HOAs restrict where they can be kept. Typical rules allow short-term parking for loading and unloading, often 24 to 72 hours, and require long-term storage in an approved RV gate area behind a wall, a garage, or an off-site storage facility. If you want to build an RV gate or extend a side wall to screen a trailer, you will need architectural approval; see how to submit an architectural request.
Guests, contractors and parties
Guest parking is especially tight in townhome, condo and gated communities. Check whether your community has designated guest spaces, time limits or permit systems. In gated communities, guests may need to be registered for entry; see gate access and remotes. For a large gathering, consider asking guests to carpool and keep fire lanes, mailboxes and neighbors’ driveways clear. Contractors should follow community rules on work hours and parking too.
Remember that parking on desert landscaping is more than a looks issue. Vehicles compact soil, crush drip irrigation lines and kill plants, and oil leaks stain decomposed granite. Keeping vehicles on paved surfaces protects both your yard and the common areas maintained with your assessments.
Towing on private streets
Where an association controls parking, its rules may permit towing of vehicles parked in violation, typically following posted signage, notice requirements in the documents, and applicable Arizona towing laws. Towing is a serious step that the board authorizes; it is not something neighbors should arrange on their own. If your vehicle was towed and you believe it was in error, contact us in writing with the date, location and towing company information.
Got a parking violation notice?
Read the notice and confirm where the vehicle was parked. If the street is public, say so in your response. If the rule applies, move the vehicle and let us know through the portal. You have a right to request violation details by certified mail within 21 days of the notice; see responding to a violation notice. To report a parking issue, use the steps in our neighbor complaints guide.
Tenants and parking
If you rent your home, share the parking rules with your tenant and include them in the lease. Tenants with several vehicles or work trucks are a common source of parking notices, and the owner receives the notice and any fine. See renting your home in an HOA.
Boards revisiting parking rules can read our HOA rules and amendments guide and learn about our violations and CC&R enforcement service.
Frequently asked questions
Generally no. Under A.R.S. § 33-1818, once streets are dedicated to and accepted by the city or town, the association cannot regulate parking on them; the city’s rules apply.
It depends on your CC&Rs and rules. Many Arizona communities allow brief loading and unloading periods, often 24 to 72 hours, and require long-term storage elsewhere.
Ask us, or check your community plat and city records. Gated communities typically have private streets, while many open subdivisions have public streets.
If your documents and rules allow it and required notice and signage are in place, the association may authorize towing on property it controls.
