USA State laws dictates how close can you park to a stop sign. A standard safe stop sign parking distance should always be maintained. Distance on how close can you park to a stop sign is tabulated below for all the States in USA.
In general, how far do you have to park from a stop sign is 30 feet. No parking within 25 feet from a stop sign. You should park at least 30 feet away from a stop sign in most USA city and State laws. A few exceptions occur in some states that can park 5 feet, 10 feet, or 15 feet away from a stop sign.
Stop Sign Parking Distance State Laws
State to state distance of any parking laws vary. Some may be similar while some may be different. Below is a table showing various State recommendations on how close can you park to a stop sign in
| USA State How close can you park to a stop sign in | Parking distance from a Stop Sign (Feet) | Parking distance in from a Stop Sign (Meters) |
| Nevada, Quebec, | 5ft | 1.524m |
| Iowa | 10ft | 3.048m |
| Wisconsin | 15ft | 4.572m |
| Alberta, Louisiana, | 16.4042ft | 5m |
| Chicago, Massachusetts, New Orleans | 20ft | 6.096m |
| Arizona, California, Colorado, CT, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, NY , North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, DC, Washington State, Winnipeg, Virginia | 30ft | 9.144m |
| New Jersey, NJ, Oregon, San Diego | 50ft | 15.24m |
It is evident that how close can you park to a stop sign varies. State laws on where to park, and how far to park from a specific point vary. Do not be ignorant of the law including parking on the street rules.
Besides, if one law applies to one State doesn’t exactly imply that the law applies to another State.
Actually, more the parking laws including distance apply in some of the following areas you need to consider before parking or walking blindly. Keep in mind that breaking the law can land you in trouble with the police.
Apart from Stop Sign Parking Laws, Avoid This 12 Areas:
1. Parking In Driveway Blocking Sidewalk
It is prohibited to block the sidewalk. Whether you are driving a small car or a long vehicle such as a travel trailer, you must park in a manner that the sidewalk is free from obstruction by your parking.
Sidewalk is meant to be used by pedestrians including the physically challenged people using wheelchairs. Obstructing the sidewalk can definitely negatively affect many people. You can be arrested and penalized for your irresponsible behavior.
2. Parking In front of a private or public driveway
In most cases you will see a notice prohibiting parking in front of the drive way. In a few cases, the notice is not place. Even if there is no sign it is disrespect to park and block someone’s driveway.
3. Parking Within an intersection
No parking is allowed within an intersection unless allowed a few distance off the intersection. Parking, or standing in an intersection can easily trigger collision as you become an obstruction.
4. Parking Next to a Fire Hydrant
It is illegal to park near a fire hydrant. In most State, a distance of at least 15 feet is allowed but it varies from State to State. Whether the fire hydrant has a red curb or not do not park next to a fire hydrant.
5. Parking On a crosswalk or on a crosswalk at an intersection
Do not park on a crosswalk or its intersection. Often, a distance of 50 feet away from a crosswalk of 35-45 mph is allowed. Over 100 feet parking away from a crosswalk is allowed for speeds above 45mph.
6. Parking Next to a traffic control signal, or flashing bacon stop sign
Parking is prohibited next to any traffic control signal. An obstruction to a traffic control signal can be a recipe for disaster. The table above shows safe parking distance on how close you can park from a stop sign in USA States.
7. Parking in Safety zone and adjacent curb
Parking in a safety zone and adjacent curb is illegal especially when your parking is not within the recommended parking distance away from those point.
Safety zones is normally used for safety purposes and any obstruction by bad parking can easily hinder safety rescue team effectiveness.
8. Parking Next to rail of railroad crossing
Park at a safe distance way from the rail crossing or the rail. Normally, a distance of 50 feet away from the rail crossing or rail is legal parking. Exceptions occurs for vehicles that are offloading or unloading cars.
9. Parking at the Entrance to a fire station
Obstruction of any form such as parking, or standing with or without supervision of fire staff is illegal. Maintain a safe distance of at least 15 feet of an entrance or a fire hydrant.
10. Poor Parking of Roadside Stopped or Parked Vehicle
Whether stopped or parked, you should not obstruct traffic flow or any of the traffic rules. Safe parking or stopping should be practiced always unless in case of a breakdown or accident.
11. Parking in Any Bridge, Highway Tunnel, or Elevated Structure on a Highway
Parking in a highway tunnel, or a bridge is completely illegal. Most highway have recommended driving speed that is often mush faster than a service lane driving speed. You can imagine the damages it can occur when a vehicle is parked in a highway.
12. Parking Where There is An Official Parking Prohibition Sign
Whenever you see a prohibition sign such as “No Parking”, follow the simple instruction. Find somewhere else to park. Do not be tempted to park since you won’t take long, anything can happen. Practice safety always when parking.
Related: How close can you park to a fire hydrant
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Conclusion
In most States how close can you park from a stop sign in most States in USA is 30 feet away from the stop sign. However, a few states allows even much shorter distance of how close can you park from a stop sign. Example, how close can you park to a stop sign in Nevada is 5 feet while how close can you park to a stop sign in Florida is 30 feet. Know your State laws.
