How do I stop my neighbor from leaving his car parked on the street?

Question

My neighbor's daughter is away at college and they've left her car, a junky old faded silver VW 89 Jetta, parked right at the property line for months, rarely moving it, about five feet from my driveway entrance.

I don't like the way it looks, that it almost blocks where I have to put the yard waste garbage can every week, just in that 5 foot area, and the garbage truck has to edge right next to her car to reach it, nor the way I can't really see my driveway when entering from the street until the last second.

BTW, I've never spoken to the neighbors since they've lived here four or five years now, so communication probably isn't the answer.

I searched my local police and city websites and couldn't find any info. I think I'll just have to move.

Answer 1

The police can have a vehicle towed if: 1) the vehicle is parked on a city street over a certain amount of days without moving (the number of days vary city to city) 2) the vehicle is parked on the city street blocking a driveway. Or they can ticket the vehicle if: 1) it's parked across the sidewalk. 2) it's parked on the city street within a certain amount of feet from a driveway, mailbox, or fire hydrant.

A private property owner can have a vehicle towed at the vehicle owner's expense if: 1) a vehicle is parked in their parking lot without authorization or for extended periods of time. 2) if the vehicle owner is violating some parking agreement or rule the complex or business has with them. 3) if your neighbor is parked on your residential property you could probably have it towed.

If your neighbor has a vehicle parked on his private property, it is not a police matter and they will not be able to have the vehicle towed, nor could you. However, you can check with your city's code enforcement and have them look at it to see if the neighbor is breaking any city ordinances as to where or how the vehicle is parked. If he's not breaking any laws or city ordinances, then he can do what he wants with his own property and you need to get over it.

Answer 2

Ha! I have the same problem. Every friday night, I come home to park on the street, and my neighbor has friends over which take up all the parking spots on my street. In my city, we are not allowed to park on the street during the week, only on weekends. So parking on the street friday and saturday nights are great becuase I dont have to go in the alley, open the gate, park, then close the gate, which is a hassle. I like what others say... have parties of your own and have everyone park in front of their place. After a few times I think they will understand. No words need to be spoken either. Ive noticed one truck in particular that parks in front of my house has no license plate for many months now. After the first of the year I will be reporting him to the police. Theres NO WAY he can be driving for 5 or 6 months without a plate!

Answer 3

If your city has an ordinance against overnight parking you can call the vehicle in for a ticket, or some cities have an ordinance that if you are parked within ten feet of a drive way you can be cited. The best thing to do would to actually talk to your neighbor and see if they will move the vehicle. If they refuse then you can give it a couple days and start calling the police.

Answer 4

You'll catch more flies with honey...... Especially in this situation. If I were you I'd be sure to smile and wave when I see them, talk to their kids and all that small stuff that makes you seem like an approachable and likable person. Do this for a few weeks and then when you do eventually have a conversation with one of them you can ask if they park the car about 20 feet back from you line of sight as you need to manuaever out of the driveway. You should also put youself in their shoes and try to imagine where else they might park it so that you have a solution to offer when they inevitably say that it is not possible. Good luck.

Answer 5

See if your city or county has their laws posted online. Our city does and it clearly states what the law is on the amount of time a car can stay on a city roadway. FOr us, it's either 48 or 72 hours (I can't remember). It's on our city website, and we have a somewhat small city.

If you can find this statute, but don't want to immediately deal with the police, try printing that statute out and taping it to their door and to the car. They will probably get the hint and move the car.

Or, you could talk to them. Say, "I know we haven't talked in 5 years, but I think that the city says that cars can only stay on neighborhood streets for 48 hours. I just don't want to see your daughter's car get towed."

Or, call the police department and ask them about the statute and file a complaint. They'll come by and ticket or flag the car and if it's not moved withint the amount of time given, they'll come back and tow it.

Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Oh man you dont even want to know the problem I had with my neighbor earlier.
I think the best way would be to just start breaking lights on it in the middle of the night. They will see the junker getting more junked up and hopefully move it.
If that doesnt work, call the cops and say someone left a car on the side of the road and its a nasty eyesore and do something.

Answer 7

Talk to them. Be polite and honest don't mess around behind their back. It could come down on you something fearce if they find out you called the police or broke the headlights.

Be Brave be social and talk.

Answer 8

Call and report an abandoned vehicle - a tow truck will wake them up and make them smell the coffee.

Answer 9

If there is legal parking on the street and the car is legally taged there is not much you can do.

Go talk to them comes to mind, so this is the first time you talk to them.

Answer 10

Tell them! If you haven't spoken yet, this IS the answer, you bet. They won't treat you as a person until they see you are one