Are you tired of seeing another car in front of your house blocking your parking? Do you want to know whether or not can people park in front of your house? Then we have the answers for you.
To answer the question, yes, people can park in front of your house. No law says someone can’t park anywhere in a public street.
So, unless you own the parking spot in front of your house, anyone can park their vehicle in front of your home.
Can People Park In Front Of Your House: Understanding The Law
Even though seeing someone else’s vehicle in front of your home is annoying, as long as they aren’t breaking any law, you can’t take a legal step against them. If you do, the offender will have the advantage and might file a harassment lawsuit against you.
Then what does the law say about this matter? The law states that anyone can park their vehicle in an open public area as long as they aren’t creating obstructions in the public space or invading others’ privacy.
This means a person can park wherever he wants to as long as it doesn’t look like a public obstruction of any sort. By that, we mean it creates any hindrance for basic movements for people in general. So, by the eyes of the law, anyone can park anywhere as long as it follows the basic parking rules.
When Can I Call The Police If Someone Is Parking In Front Of My House?
Although you can’t call upon the law for someone parking in front of your house, there are some rules that you can call for the police and even take legal actions against the offender if violated. Here are some situations where you can have the full support of the law:
A Vehicle is Blocking Your Driveway
If a vehicle is blocking your driveway, you can call for the police and have the owner arrested; it is seen as a violation of privacy and can be counted as forced entry and harassment.
In this scenario, you need to keep in mind that the vehicle must block your driveway and face problems to get your car or vehicle out safely. You won’t be able to ask for police help if the parked vehicle isn’t blocking your driveway and just parked on the side of the driveway.
The critical point to remember is that unless someone parks their vehicle inside your property, you can’t take any legal actions against them.
Parked Vehicle Seems Abandoned or Stolen
If a car or truck has been parked in front of your house for three or more days, you can call the cops to mark it as an abandoned vehicle blocking public parking space. Even if the car isn’t left, but the owner didn’t move it for three days straight, this rule will be applicable.
If you suspect that the car parked in front of your home is a stolen or illegal vehicle, then you can call the cops and report it as soon as possible. In this case, you don’t need to wait for three days to make sure. But make sure that you are not reporting your neighbor’s car as stolen that will lead to other problems.
If You Think Your Life is in Danger
If you believe that the parked vehicle is being used to monitor your movements and someone might attack you or your household, then you have every right to report that vehicle. So, if there are any suspicious behaviors, notify the cops as soon as possible.
If the Front of Your House is Restricted Area
Now if your house’s front parking area has been declared a restricted area by the city hall, then when someone parks in front of your home, he’s parking in a restricted area where parking is prohibited. If this happens, then you can call the police.
Usually, you can’t just ask for the city hall to make your front porch restricted. For that, you’ll need a viable reason and the full support of the neighborhood if your neighbors are the ones parking their car in front of your house that is least likely to happen.
But the front of your house can become restricted if there is some state-issued improvement or construction is going in front of your home. But that isn’t a permanent situation. And probably can’t park your vehicle in this situation also.
How To Stop People From Parking In Front Of Your House?
As there aren’t many legal options to stop people from parking in front of your house, here are some ideas to prevent others from parking in front of your house:
Talk to the Owner
Maybe the person who parks in front of your house doesn’t know how much it bothers you when you see his or her vehicle parked in front of your home. If both individual respects each other’s perspective then you will eventually come to a mutual agreement.
Leave a Note
If you are unable to meet with the owner, then leave a message saying your concerns. Just write down your problems on paper and stick them to the offender’s window.
Leave ‘No Parking’ Sign
You can’t put up this type of sign in front of your house’s road as you don’t own the public highway. But if you put it inside your property, you won’t be breaking any law, and drivers will also get your message.
Use Reverse Psychology
Although it is not recommended if your neighbor is parking their car in front of your house while their front stays clear of vehicles, go and park your cars there. Hopefully, they’ll get the message. But if someone is doing this intentionally, then this idea doesn’t help much.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can someone park over a dropped kerb which is in front of my house?
According to highway codes, no one can park over a dropped kerb that is a public safety rule violation.
2. Someone is blocking the entrance of my house by parking their vehicle; what should I do?
Call for legal support. If a car directly blocks your access to your home, it is regarded as a felony, and you have every right to call the police.
3. Can I put a no parking sign in my parking spot?
No, that’s illegal as you’ll be blocking public space. Unless it is your private property, you can’t assign any signs.
Conclusion
We know it is pretty irritating to see someone else parking in front of your house, blocking your parking place, resulting in you parking your car away from your home. And what’s more frustrating is the law’s answer to ‘can people park in front of your house‘ is affirmative.
But if you can come to an understatement with the people parking in front of your house, you can avoid this matter altogether.
