Legal question about street parking?

Question

I just moved into a new house in a typical suburban neighborhood (in Tampa, FL, if that affects anything from a legal standpoint). I'm concerned about a (potential) parking issue with my neighbors, but I feel it's necessary to describe the scenario first.

Directly across the street are two businesses: one is a small car dealership. The other is a currently-empty mechanic's shop that appears as if it'll soon have tenants. Because these are two businesses that deal primarily with cars, I'm concerned about potential issues.

This street does not have curbs or sidewalks; my front yard extends right to the edge of the street. However, 3-4 feet in from the street, there is a chain-link fence. The space on the opposite side of the fence (on the street side), I use both for my trash pickup, and as overflow parking in case I have guests. For the record, visitors parked here jut out into the street slightly, but it does not affect or block street traffic in any way.

My question is this: I'm aware that street parking in front of someone's home is legal, but if a customer or employee from one of these businesses were to park in front of my house (essentially, half in the street and half in my yard), are they legally parked or can I ask them to move?

And I should note - I'm not prematurely looking to start trouble, but I was raised to be respectful and courteous about other peoples' property. As a result, I tend to be sensitive when the same courtesy isn't extended to me.

philospher77 · Answer

Lots of questions that need to be answered.  Number one:  is the area between the fence and street yours or a city easement?  Number two:  is it legal for your guests to park there?  Where I am it wouldn't be.  Number three, which is related to two:  Is it legal to park on the street in front of your house (not in the grassy area, but the actual street)?  This is not clear, since you say that your guests park there and "jut out into the street slightly".  I am trying to figure out if someone could park on the street and not on the grass.  That could be the stickiest part, since it might be argued that you are allowing your guests to park illegally which prevents people from parking legally.

If the street parking legally consists of parking in that grassy area, then no, you can't ask someone who is legally parked to move.  Well, you can ask, but you can't order them to.  And I can almost promise that the fact that you are across from a business that is going to have a pretty high amount of people parking in front of it is one reason that you got that house at the price that you did.

Dan H · Answer

Business usually look out for their neighbors.  If their customers consistently park in front of your house and a polite sign doesn't fix the problem, try talking to the business owners.

As a plus, they usually are only open during the day, so people won't be coming by after business hours.

William M · Answer

They shouldn&#x27;t park on your property period. However, you will see a few drivers that will. All it takes is one. If you start seeing it done often, let the business owners know. If that doesn&#x27;t work, contact the police to come out and give tickets. Your city may also have a parking enforcement office to report to. What about putting up a few No Parking signs? The city can probably set them up for you.

babyboomer1001 · Answer

If they park on any part of your property, you can legally have them towed away.  If it happens, you might first call the businesses and inform them that one of their customers parked on your property and you will give them 10 minutes to remove it, before you call a tow company.  If it happens too often, just have the cars towed.

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Legal question about street parking?

4 Answers