Inoperative Vehicles Junk cars are an eyesore! The problem is, some people do not see their vehicles as being "junk cars." The County Code does not have the right to decide what looks nice, but is tasked with addressing the safety of a vehicle. A vehicle without current tags or an inspection sticker has not been determined to be safe so is an "inoperative" vehicle. Inoperative vehicles cannot be parked outside a garage or carport. If the vehicle is under a car cover, it cannot be determined if it has proper tags or inspections. Inoperative vehicles that are parked on the street should be reported to the Police Department's non-emergency number, 703-792-6500. If the inoperative vehicle is parked on private property, it should be reported to Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018.

Parking on the Grass All vehicles must be parked on an improved surface, or they are in violation of the County Code. There are some areas of the County where parking on unimproved surfaces are granted a zoning designation called a "non-conforming use" or NCU. Unless the residential property has an NCU, all vehicles on private property must be parked on an asphalt or concrete surface, not gravel or grass. Report violations to Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018.

Commercial Vehicles

The County has zoning ordinances that are meant to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods, and safety ordinances to maintain sight lines and emergency vehicle passage. Certain types of vehicles, like cement trucks, garbage trucks, bulldozers, tractors or trailers of a tractor-trailer truck, are prohibited in neighborhoods or on lots less than 10 acres in agricultural districts. The code can be found at the Police Departments page about Commercial Vehicle Parking Restrictions.

The specific definition of a commercial vehicle is defined in the code, Chapter 32, Article I. Article III, Part 300 details motor vehicle parking and storage. Click here to view the code.

In general, panel vans used by craftspeople to carry ladders and equipment to job sites are legal. Box trucks, flatbed trucks, stake bed trucks, step vans or trailers with a gross vehicle weight of 10,100 pounds or more cannot be parked or stored in any residential neighborhood or on lots less than 10 acres in agricultural districts. There are many more details about these kinds of vehicles that the code, referenced above, can provide for you.

Watercraft, RVs, Boat Trailers, Camping Trailers

Some parts of the County prohibit RVs and boat trailers from being parked on the street. Visit Watercraft, Boat Trailer, RV, and Camping Trailers for a discussion of the ordinance, boundaries of areas where they are prohibited on the street and a link to a map showing where the ordinance is enforced.

ATVs and Dirt Bikes

As much fun as ATVs and dirt bikes provide, they can also be dangerous to their riders and destructive to private property. State laws and County ordinances are concerned with the safety of riders and acknowledgement the rights of property owners. Prince William County's Police Department is the source of information about safety, laws and ordinances on ATVs and Dirt Bikes.

Antique Vehicles

Antique vehilces are licensed by Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles. For more information about the proper licensing of these vehicles, please go to DMV's Frequently Asked Questions about antique vehicles.