Tired of neighbors parking in front of your house? Discover effective strategies to reclaim your curb space and prevent unwanted vehicles.
Let’s dive straight into the solutions!
Your Neighbors Can Legally Park In The Spot
Although it may not be convenient, there’s a simple truth that we have to face when it comes to this matter.
If you live in a home with street parking, your neighbors can legally park in the spot in front of your house. The parking spot is on public property rather than private property. Unfortunately, you cannot decide who can use a public parking spot, even if it is in front of your house.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t use other means to help resolve an issue!
Ways To Stop Neighbors From Parking in Front of Your House
It feels easier said than done to solve the problem when it is not illegal for your neighbors to park in front of your house. However, it is not impossible to save this parking spot for yourself. You just need to stay calm and explore your options.
Here are seven ways to stop neighbors from parking in front of your house.
1. Talk To Them About It
You may be able to nip the parking situation in the bud by kindly talking to your neighbors about it. Some neighbors are very understanding of wanting the parking spot in front of your house, especially if they do not realize how important it is to you.
Your neighbors may avoid parking in the spot in front of your house as much as possible.
Remember, there may come a time when a neighbor has no choice but to park in front of your house. It is important to be understanding of a situation that may have been out of their control.
2. Try To Grab The Spot First
The next idea is to try to grab the spot in front of your house before your neighbors can get to it. For example, if you know what time they get home from work, you can always plan your errands around that schedule.
If you take the spot in front of your house as much as possible, your neighbors may find another regular parking spot. However, it is important to remember that you may not be able to grab the spot 100 percent of the time.
This is why you want to keep other options in mind.
3. Move Your Car When They Leave
It may not always be easy to grab the parking spot in front of your house before your neighbors get it. They may not have a set schedule or routine that gives you an idea of when they are heading home. Maybe they have a day of appointments or errands, and you are not sure when they may be finished with these activities.
The second-best option to grabbing the spot first is to grab the spot after they leave. If you hear their car start or see them leaving, move your car to the spot in front of your house. This especially works if you are not planning to go anywhere that day.
If you are also planning to head out for the day, keep in mind that you may need to find another parking spot when you return home. However, you may be able to work out a schedule with your neighbors.
4. Look Into Residents-Only Parking
There is a chance your neighbors are not the problem when it comes to parking. It could be their guests who are frequently parking in front of your house. If this is the case, you may be able to apply for residents-only parking.
This way, guests of your neighbors cannot park in the spot in front of your house without permission!
It may also be easier to apply for residents-only parking if your other neighbors have the same issue with non-residents parking on your block.
You may also be able to apply for residents-only parking if your neighbors park in front of your house instead of their private parking spot.
5. Look Into Handicapped Parking
Do you have someone living in your home who is physically handicapped?
You may be able to apply for handicapped parking. Handicapped parking allows you to park in front of your house to make it easier for your loved one to get to and from your vehicle.
If you are approved for handicapped parking, a sign is placed in the spot in front of your house indicating that others cannot park in this spot.
However, you should only take this step if someone in your home is physically handicapped. Otherwise, this step is dishonest (and illegal) on your part.
6. Consider Adding A Driveway or Garage
If you have the space and funds, consider adding a private driveway to the front or back of your exterior. You may need to reduce your lawn or yard space, but your neighbors cannot park in this spot because it is on your private property.
It is best to look into the permit and costs of adding a driveway to your property. You want to avoid starting a project that is not allowed or is too expensive.
If you have a large backyard, you may be able to add a separate garage to this space. Once again, you want to look into the permits and funds needed for this project.
7. Talk To Your Landlord
If you are renting a house or an apartment, talk to your landlord about the parking spot in front of your place. They may have a few ideas on how to legally keep your neighbors from parking in that spot.
Your landlord may even offer to talk to your neighbors about parking in front of your place!
Remember, this idea only works if you are renting a home or an apartment. You do not have a landlord if you own your home. If you are renting, remember that your landlord may not be able to do anything about a public parking spot.
What Not To Do When Neighbors Park In Front of Your House
The last thing you want to do is escalate the parking issue into a stressful or dangerous situation for everyone.
It is best to handle a situation with your neighbors as calmly as possible, especially if they are unaware of the situation. Therefore, it is important to know what to avoid doing when neighbors park in front of your house.
1. Do Not Behave Aggressively
You should never behave aggressively toward your neighbors over a parking spot. Aggressive behavior ranges from yelling at your neighbors to leaving a nasty note on their car.
Your neighbors may become angry and return the aggressive behavior, and what could have been resolved through conversation has now become an unhealthy situation.
If the situation does not lead to your neighbors returning the aggressive behavior, harassing or threatening your neighbors may cause them to press charges.
Security cameras, witnesses, and saving notes are enough evidence to prove your aggressive behavior.
2. Do Not Vandalize Their Car
It may be frustrating to find a neighbor constantly parking in front of your house, but vandalizing their car is never the answer to a parking issue.
What counts as vandalizing their car? Scratching the exterior, soaking the windows, flattening their tires, tossing trash, and writing on their vehicle all count as vandalism.
Your neighbors are not going to return the favor to your car. Instead, they are most likely going to press charges against you for vandalism. Vandalism is illegal, and you are living in a time when smartphones and security cameras catch everything.
3. Do Not Put Up Illegal Signs
Finally, you should never put up illegal signs to keep your neighbors from parking in front of your house.
This includes “Residents-Only Parking” and “Handicapped Parking” signs that were not applied for and approved.
Your neighbors may report you for putting up illegal parking signs, or they may park elsewhere to avoid confrontation. Regardless, it is against the law to put up illegal parking signs on public property.
Depending on your location and the severity of the crime, you may be fined, sentenced to community service, or face jail time for illegal parking signs.
Above All, Stay Calm and Reasonable
It is stressful to find neighbors constantly parked in front of your house. However, it is important to stay calm and reasonable, especially when speaking to your neighbors about it. There may not have been any other available parking spots when your neighbors arrived home, or maybe they were not thinking and just wanted to unload their groceries.
You cannot decide who can and cannot park in front of your house when the spot is on public property, but you can find several ways to resolve the parking issue at hand.
If you stay calm and reasonable and talk to your neighbors, you can nip the problem with parking in the bud. In addition, it is best to explore alternatives when your neighbors cannot help but park in the spot in front of your house.
