Residential parking rules
Parking rules and regulations in Brisbane help to maintain the safety of all road users and pedestrians. They also improve the availability of on-street parking.
Understanding where vehicles are allowed to park can help you identify unlawful parking in your area and report the problem.
How do I park lawfully?
Parking on the street is generally permitted unless there are‘No Stopping’ signs or lines are in place, or where blanket restrictions from the Queensland Road rules apply – for example near intersections and driveways. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their vehicle is parked legally at all times and complies with all relevant signage and road markings.
The most common situations when vehicles are found to be parked in an unlawful manner include:
- parked across a driveway or preventing access to a property
- disobeying official parking signs, such as a ‘No Stopping’ sign
- parked on a yellow ‘No Stopping’ line
- stopped or parked too close to an intersection or pedestrian crossing
- parked with less than three meters of clear roadway between their vehicle and other parked vehicles, dividing strips, traffic islands or unbroken dividing lines
- parked on a footpath or nature strip.
It’s important to remember that motorists can stop briefly in, or across a driveway when they are picking up and dropping off passengers, except where ‘No Stopping’ restrictions are in place.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a vehicle is parked unlawfully near or across my driveway?
You must not park on or across a driveway or prevent access to a property. This restricts pedestrian access and can reduce visibility for other road users. This includes parking in your own driveway outside of the property boundary.
Cars are always parked out the front of my house. Is this lawful?
Unless there are ‘No Stopping’ signs or lines in place, parking on the street is lawful. However, if the car is parked across your driveway, preventing access, on a yellow line, or disobeying official parking signs, you can phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to report the problem.
Cars often block my driveway because the distance between my driveway and my neighbour’s driveway is too small for parking. Is this lawful?
You are responsible for making sure your vehicle fits in the available space. If a vehicle is parked across any section of a driveway on the road, contact Council and request enforcement.
How close can cars park to an intersection?
A driver must not stop or park their vehicle within:
- 20 metres of a signalised intersection, unless otherwise signed
- 10 metres of a non-signalised intersection, unless otherwise signed.
At a T-intersection, a driver is allowed to park opposite the side road and along the continuous road, unless otherwise signed or indicated.
If vehicles are regularly parking too close to the intersection, contact Council to request enforcement.
Cars park on both sides of the road on narrow streets, which means only one car can fit through at a time. Is this lawful?
Vehicles can restrict traffic flow in many ways. This may include parking on both sides of the road, or not allowing enough room between the car and other road objects.
You must leave at least three metres of clear roadway between your vehicle and other parked vehicles or dividing strips, traffic islands or unbroken dividing lines.
This will allow large vehicles, such as waste collection vehicles, to access local streets.
If vehicles are preventing access or traffic flow, contact Council immediately on 07 3403 8888 to report the problem.
What happens if cars are preventing the garbage truck from emptying my garbage bins?
You must leave at least three metres of clear roadway beside your vehicle. This allows large vehicles, such as waste trucks, to access local streets. If a waste truck cannot access bins with the mechanical arm due to parked vehicles, bins will be emptied at another time.
Find out more about Council's rubbish collections, including what to do if your bin is not collected.
Can I request ‘No Stopping’ conditions outside my property?
There may be situations where ‘No Stopping’ conditions, such as ‘No Stopping’ signs or yellow ‘No Stopping’ lines, are the most appropriate solution to a parking problem. An example may be where the distance between two driveways is too small for parking, and parked vehicles unreasonably block access to adjacent property.
If you believe ‘No Stopping’ conditions are required outside your property, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘new line markings’ to complete a request for new line markings.
Can I park on a footway, footpath or verge?
You must not park your vehicle across footways, footpaths and verges. This includes the portion of residential driveways that crosses footways, footpaths and verges.
Some motorists park on the footpath to allow cars to pass. This is illegal and motorists may be issued with a warning or fine.
Traffic signs
No stopping signs, lines and clearways help traffic flow, ease congestion and enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Always check signs, lines and parking zones before parking or requesting enforcement.
More information
For more information on residential parking:
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888
- download: