Is it ok to tell my neighbors to stop parking in front of our house? They have as much room in front of theirs

Question

My neighbors own a car detailing business & have about 5 vehicles on our street. We live on opposite corner houses. Meaning they have two sides of their house to park & a driveway, yet they always park on our side of the street. Sometimes my guests have to park in front of other neighbors houses because the spaced by our house have been taken by the other neighbors. It's really frustrating to come home & these folks are parked where I think I should be. I am being petty, or I am entitled to say something>? Help!~KIMBO

Answer 1

First talk to your neighbor and air your concerns. I would then complain to City counsel and the Traffic-by-law Officer. They should not be running a business that is infringing on a residential area. Too bad you are not disabled I have seen the city put up special signs to make sure you can park in front of your house. No you are not being petty and it is very frustrating. Maybe all your friends should be told to park in front of their house. This would be a great time of year to have lots of guests parking all around their house.

Brin

Answer 2

Have a friendly chat with them -- take over a cake or something, but explain what your problem is. Ask them why they don't park on their own side of the road -- it might be that customers just randomly park, and your neighbors don't have much control until they interrupt their work and move the cars.

Maybe you can work out a compromise -- you can call half an hour before guests come, and get your parking spaces cleared. Or maybe you only need the space on the weekends -- ask them to keep the customer cars on their side during the peak times you need the parking.

I think you may have zoning laws on your side, and you may ultimately have to go to the authorities. So, start keeping a log of who is in front of your house and when (list license numbers, car color and make). I would show this to your neighbor before you complain to higher powers -- they may not realize how much hassle this is causing you. Give 'em three tries, and then make your complaints. Because I think it's *really* important to have good relationships with the neighbors, and siccing the zoning commission on them will probably affect things badly. But, no, you are not crazy -- they are in the wrong.

Answer 3

no i don't think that is petty, i would maybe go over there and ask them to please not park in front of your house because when you have guest they have to park in the front of someone Else's house. My husband i live in a sub-division and we pay an annual fee. there are rules about parking on the streets where we live. like you can't leave your car on the street for more than 2 days or they'll tow it at your cost. and during winter for plowing purposes they ask that you not park on the streets if possible at all. also I'm not sure where you live but if they are running a business then they should have to provide adequate parking. and i don't think they can do that at there home obviously.

Answer 4

Usually you can't do anything because the street is public, however you can try going to city hall and asking for a sign. One of my mother's neighbors has a sign on her house stating that the spot in front of the house is for resident parking only and that all others would be towed. It's worth a try to see if you can get one of those signs. Not all cities do it, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Answer 5

I know , isn't that a pain? We have the same problems. Our neighbour is a jerk. He also blocks off our driveway at times with one of his cars. I phoned in regard to the street parking and I was told that he can park on the street whenever he likes , if it is public parking and there isn't anything we can do but suck it up. Grrrrr

Answer 6

Tell them to respect your right to park in front of your house, you may also want to check with the zoning dept, some restrictive areas prohibit more than 2 vehicles.

Answer 7

YES...you do have a right to tell them to stop it! YOU also have a right for a formal complaint. If they offer you a hassle once you ask them to stop parking the vehicles in front of your home, then file a complaint with the city. They are most likely running a business from their home and it is not registered! :) Plus, for them to run a legitimate business from their home, it is not permitted to interfer with the local community, thus not using up your parking spaces in front of your home.

Answer 8

Did this happen in the state of South Carolina? If so, what county ? you may want to get out of state counsel. I have seen SC COPS pull guns and teasers on 11 and 12 year old playing innocently in the woods. Attorneys, law enforcement, social services, judges and the like are friends and make back room deals, They like to bulley. Let me guess this happened on a friday I bet, ever entered your mind this may have been planned? SETUP

Answer 9

sounds like you need to have a calm and thoughtful conversation with these people.
is there a neighborhood association you can get with if that doesn't work?
slashing tires is illegal, dear...but suing isn't, and there is always some lawyer willing to take a case for a price, neusance them to death.
but first try the considerate, calm thoughtful conversation with them, perhaps it just hasn't occured to them that ther are other people in the world besides just them, and yes they live here too, but they must learn to share as well, and it is selfish to always demand that you do the sharing...
(people like that need a good sound thrashing, no question about it but in our "civilized society", civil and polite communication is important.

Answer 10

Why don`t you park your car on the grass in their front yard?That`ll fix them.I did that once.