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Is it too much to ask to be able to park in front of my own house once in a while??  Ever since we moved in (a little over a month ago) the guy next door to me parks his car in front of my house and the woman next door on the other side parks her ginormous SUV in front of my house too - I can barely get into my own driveway!  And what if I'd like to just pull up in front once in a while?  Or to have some space for my friends to park when they come over?  I've asked both people nicely to not park in front of my house but they ignore me.  The house was vacant for a couple of months and I guess they both got used to being able to park there whenever they wanted.  But now I am here and I am getting sick and tired of having their cars in front EVERY single damn day.

 Ok, so I know in the grand scheme of things this is a minor issue but it still burns my toast!

Is this a city street you're talking about?  Because if it is, anyone can park anywhere.  Who's parking in front of these people's houses?

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Central Ohio

It isn't a city area - this is the suburbs.  And yes, I realize that there is no law against parking on the street.  However, I recently moved here from a neighborhood (2 miles away) where parking rights were very respected.  They don't park in front of their own houses, they park in front of mine.  I don't want to park in front of someone else's house - I want to park in front of mine.  I don't really think that should be so difficult.

"parking rights">    a public street doesn't belong to a homeowner

yes, it would be considerate and greatly appreciated  if neighbors & their visitors were more considerate, but unless someone's vehicle blocks my driveway.calling the cops is a waste of everyone's time & effort.   

I feel your pain.  Because I live on a court, this happens to me quite frequently (and usually by the neighbors boyfriend)  I usually go and and talk to the neighbors.  Short of that, you are at their mercy as it is a public street.  What you can do is to watch how they park.  If even an inch of their car is blocking your driveway, you can call your local PD (be sure to call the non-emergency line).  They will send out a CSO who will measure to see if they are in your driveway.  If they are, they will write a ticket.  Of course the caviat is that turnabout is fair play.  They can do the same to you. 

 

Why not just park in front of their house? 

Check your local laws. Some cities prohibit overnight parking on the street and the PD could cite violators.

Yes, it's a minor issue and it's best to keep the peace with your neighbors, but summer's coming... get out the sprinkler.

 

 

 

It may sound mean to some people but if it were me and people were parking in front of my house I would be calling a tow truck and have them remove the cars, tell the tow truck person you don't know who owns them....that'll get your neighbors attention....I know a neighbor that did that.

Parking on the street is open. You have a drive way for a reason. But your not satisfied with that. You also want to control the public street. You want your friends also to be able to park out there. Everybody has friends and family, so how many cars of friends are we talking? Or maybe you think the second car of friends or family visiting should park around the corner. Well maybe you should sit down and give it some thought. Write up all the rules you want everyone to follow and take it to code enforcement and see if they will change the city or town laws for you. While your at it, since you want to be fair, go to every house on the street and ask each neighbor what rules they would like to put in effect. Im sure the township will have no problem pacifing everyone, no matter how petty. Its people like you who think the rules dont apply to you that cause conflick . The jails are filled with people are want things their way. Let it go. You are wrong.

If your municipality allows parking on either side of the street, alternate parking in front of both their houses snugged as close to the driveway as they are to yours.  Check with your municipality to see if there is a minimum distance from the driveway cars must be.  If a distance is specified, go out with a tape measure-make sure they see you-and measure.  If they are too close you have two options.  1) Politely go to their door and explain the "law" and ask them to move their vehicle.  You could explain that the "law" is to make it easier to get into and out of driveways.  You have already noticed that there is a problem when they are very close.  2) Have the non-emergency police number already in your cell phone and after measuring, if they are too close call the police and stay right there until the squad car comes.  This may bring the neighbor outside to see what you are doing.  Have chalk or a marker so you can mark where the end of the bumper was in case they move the car before the police get there.  A camera or video with the tape measure or other landmarks visible would be helpful. Jot down the license number and time of day.  Or include the license number in your picture.  DO NOT use spray paint to mark the curb where the bumper is.  The wind may cause overspray to get on their car.  The last thing you want is to give them a reason to sue you. 

Check with your municipality or local courts to see if a conflict mediatior may be available to sit down with you and the two neighbors and talk about the situation.  All sides will get an opportunity to state their point of view and LISTEN to the others.  The mediator may be able to suggest a compromise or solution accecptable to everyone.  This is better than a Jerry Springer shouting match where no one is really listening except to their own voice. There are at least two sides to every issue.  You want to demonstrate to your new neighbors that you are a reasonable peacable person who is trying to do things in a neighborly way.

I have the same exact problem.  I live in a college town.  On my street there is currently parking on both sides but on the main street around the corner there is no streetside parking.  So with over crowded housing, they park in front of my house.  Since we demolished and rebuilt, we often find it difficult to park in front of the house, have the outhouse serviced, or have things delivered. 

Normally, I would "train" the neighbors every September.  We have 2 cars and we would make it difficult for them to get out.  The could get out but it would take a couple minutes.  That usually did it but we weren't there this September to do that.  A few weeks ago someone called the police on me as we had a very brief encounter and disagreement (10 seconds?).  I told him that I was going to move my car right up behind his because I had a contractor with equipment coming.  He said he would move in an hour and a half and I replied back the contractor would be here in about 15 minute.  Contractor was late that morning but it turned out he had heavy equipment to unload and put in the house.  I ended up moving the car to make room for the contractor.  

And this is where the police came.

Turns out our municipal code allows for a sheet of paper to be between cars.  I gave him about a foot (what can I say, Oregonians don't parallel park well).  After some exchanges between us and the police officer (parking lady ;), we both ended up moving.  Seeing as I was dropping off 2 dogs and 2 sets of laundry, rather than walking down the middle of the street (I only have 30 inch sidewalks), I ended up moving the car back.  

I ended up apologizing profusely with the guy but the guy didn't apologize back. 

Turns out the guy was homeless and slept in the car the night before.  I felt bad for him but noticed he had a really nice toy (4 wheeler?) in the back of his newer custom truck.  I drive a new 1997 subaru wagon. I sometimes wonder about civility, respect, and common sense.