Car Parked In Front of My House: Can I Have It Towed?
It can be extremely frustrating to see a stranger’s car parked in front of your house. Things only get more annoying the longer that the car stays there, and it can feel like a violation. So, is it legal for them to park there and can you have their car towed?
You can have a car towed for parking in front of your house in some areas if it is there for over 72 hours. There are no laws to prevent temporary parking in front of a house in most areas in the United States. A homeowner can have a car towed if it is blocking traffic or if it is on their property.
Homeowners face a dilemma between calling a towing company or the police when there is a strange car in front of their home. It ultimately comes down to the circumstances, how long the car has been there, and whether or not it is disrupting your home. Follow along as we explore whether or not you can legally have a car towed for parking in front of your house.
Related Content: What To Do If Someone Parks In Your Driveway | Neighbors Parking In Front Of Your House? | What Is Considered Blocking A Driveway? | Can My Car Be Towed From My Driveway For Expired Tags?
Can You Have a Car Towed For Parking in Front of Your House?
You cannot have a car towed for parking in front of your house unless it has been there for 72 hours or more in many areas. Laws vary between states and municipalities, but you can’t generally tow a car right away unless it blocks your driveway or is on your property. However, many areas allow you to tow a car if you own a single-family residence and they are parked in front of it.
You cannot generally tow a car if it is parked on your house on a public street. Public streets can limit you because you have less control over who parks in front of your home. Luckily, cities often post signs with specific parking rules and hours.
You must notify someone either with a sign, public notice, or personal note that they cannot park there if it isn’t private property. Otherwise, they can contest it legally and you may face legal trouble or fines if you unlawfully tow their car.
When Can You Tow a Car?
You can tow a car if it stays where it is after you notify them that they are parked illegally. Each state has different motor vehicle codes and regulations, but you can always have a car towed if it is on your property. However, laws get confusing when you look at the variations between states, cities, municipalities, and situations.
When is it Legal to Call a Tow Truck?
There are certain instances, such as private property or streets without public parking, where you can tow a car. Towing a car involves several factors so it’s important to ask the question; when is it legal to legal to call a tow truck?
- You cannot tow a car that parks on the street unless street parking is illegal in the area. If there are signs barring street parking, a “permit only” zone, or a bus stop in front of your house, then you have the right to call the non-emergency line and ask for someone to tow or fine the person in front of your house.
- You have the right to tow them immediately or call the police if the car is parked on your property without your permission. It’s your property, which means that you get to dictate the rules. It is trespassing to park on your property without permission.
- There’s a limit to how long a car can stay parked in a single spot. While the exact limit can vary from city to city, most places will tow the car after 48 to 72 hours.
- If the car is impeding traffic, it can be towed immediately. Let’s say that someone parked in front of your house in a way that bars traffic flow. This could be reason enough to ticket them or tow them in most areas. To make sure they’re legally towed, call the police and explain what’s happening.
- Cars that are parked on a business property can get towed by a towing company as long as there is a sign dictating how the owner of the car can reach out to the company in question. This is why you see so many signs saying “Violators will be towed” when you’re in major parking lots. It is a great way to enforce parking rules and legally allow a business to tow violators.
- Call management, your HOA, or landlord if you live in a community and someone parks in front of your residence. Most rental agreements, condo contracts, and co-op rulebooks have strict parking guidelines. You can contact the police if management is unable to help you or respond in time.
Car Parked in Front of My House for Weeks
Call a police non-emergency line if you notice that a car has been parked in front of your house for weeks. The police can investigate the car, gain information from the license plate number, and identify the owner. You may help the police if you report the suspicious vehicle because the presence of a vehicle for weeks could indicate a problem.
Cooperate with the police and provide evidence if you documented how long the car was there. It isn’t your fault that a car parked in front of your house for weeks, but you may be able to help the police.
Who Do I Call if a Car is Parked in Front of My House?
You can call your HOA, landlord, a towing company, or the police if a car if a car parks in front of your house illegally. It is illegal to tow a car on your own unless you are a licensed professional. Generally, you won’t need to directly call a towing company, especially if you live in an HOA neighborhood.
Contact your HOA when a car parks in front of your house if it is a violation of the rules. It is possible to contact a towing company directly, but it depends on the circumstances and whether or not you provide a warning. Only involve the police if the car has been in front of your property for several days or weeks.
The easiest scenario is if you live in a community or at a parking complex. Simply call your landlord or property manager in that case and let them know about the violation. This is especially easy if there are assigned parking spots in the community, and management will likely tow the vehicle.
Can You Stop Someone From Parking in Front of Your House?
You cannot stop someone from parking in front of your house. The law considers the road in front of your house public property unless you live on a private road. It is possible to dissuade people from parking in front of your house if you park your cars in front of your house.
Speak to your neighbor if they are the one that parks in front of your house. A simple conversation may convince them that they shouldn’t do it and hopefully, they will stop. Otherwise, you won’t be able to stop some from parking in front of your house unless they violate a law such as blocking a driveway or traffic.
Related Questions
Can I block my own driveway?
You can block your driveway as long as you don’t block the sidewalk or street. Otherwise, you can violate traffic laws if you block traffic with your car and law enforcement can fine you. It is legal to block your driveway with your car if your car stays in your driveway and doesn’t interfere with a public road or property.
How long can a neighbor park in front of my house?
A neighbor can park in front of your house indefinitely unless they block traffic or your driveway. Some states and municipalities allow you to tow a car if it parks in front of your house for 3 or more days. You can immediately contact the police or a towing company if a car parks in front of your house on a private road or if there is a traffic violation.
Summing It Up
You cannot generally have a car towed for parking in front of your house unless they block traffic. However, you can tow a car if you live on private property or if the car has been there for an extended period. Some areas allow you to tow a car after 72 hours, but you typically need to notify the owner via a note, sign, or direct contact.
Submit a complaint to your HOA if your community enforces strict parking rules. Contact your property manager or landlord if someone is parking in front of your house on a street or complex with assigned parking. Call the police if you notice that a suspicious vehicle parks in front of your house for weeks.
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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