Parking/neighbor Problems in the Suburbs

I'm sorry but you don't own the street so I don't understand why it bothers you unless you don't have a driveway but I guess if it bothers you that much be an adult and go talk to him instead of trying to find out if it's illegal and get him in trouble for it that's how you make enemies fast. The worst thing that will happen after you talk to him is that he will continue to park in front of your house. You said you just moved perhaps he was parking there because the house was empty and now it's just become a habit.

Is this what people in the suburbs complain about? If it's a public street (i.e. not part of a gated community) he can park anywhere he pleases. I don't really understand why you have a problem with him parking in front of your house, what problem besides a one-house-down inconvenience does it cause for your guests? Again, if it is a public street, your guests don't have a "right" to park in front of your house, they have to park where there is space. I've never expected to park in front of my friends houses in the burbs, I either park in their driveways or on the street *somewhere*. You'll have to check your local zoning, but yes, typically a business vehicle can park on a public street as long as it's legal to park there that day (for instance, we have odd-even parking on our street for street cleaning and snow removal).

That said, if it really bothers you, and if there is something I'm missing here, just walk up to him and talk to him about it. Be really nice :)

Start with talking to him. He may be quite willing to park it somewhere else. I just don't understand why talking to the person who is creating a problem isn't the first person you talk with.

Later: The police in my state do not drive thru the neighborhood and give tickets. They have a hard enough time keeping track of crime. I'm familiar with both small and large communities. Portland City has a Parking Enforcement Division that responds to complaints but they do not patrol neighborhoods.

I have had a car towed because I hadn't moved it in several weeks. It didn't run and I hadn't gotten around to figure out what to do about it. But it was only towed because a neighbor complained. I would much rather have had them come to me and I would've moved the car. Or perhaps not. I got rid of the car and I think the neighbor paid the tow charges. At least I never got a bill.

You can call the city or county and find out what the laws are and then call if he's violating them. But it would be much better for you to talk with him. Work it out between you. That is what good neighbors do.

Well I'm not sure why you think talking to him won't be productive, but if he hasn't introduced himself maybe you can seize this opportunity to introduce yourself and comment on how much you've been noticing his giant automobile...right in front of your house! ;)

Do you have a home's association? I'd start there and ask about the rules in regards to that. I'm not really sure it's illegal, but it is rude! Honestly though, as much as I'm sure you don't want to, I think you should at least approch him before going to someone else.

In Berwyn and surrounding suburbs, there are rules regarding parking commercial vehicles. In Berwyn, you cannot unless it is a moving van and tehn you have to get a pass topark it overnight and it must be gne the next day. I would think especially Wilmette would have rules also. Possibly even stricter rules. You should be able to go online to the Villages website and look up the parking ordinances, or call on Monday to the village clerk to ask.

if someone is parking in front of other peoples homes ( on a regular basis) and not their home then they are not going to be 'open' to a discussion w/ you. If they had any manners they would be parking in front of their own house...

If you're too afraid to talk w/ him directly and don't want to involve the police - why don't you just start parking your car in front of your home so that he gets out of the habit of parking there.

Altough it may be flustrating... the street is not yours and unless there is a no parking sign infront of your house he can park there. Some cities/towns do have regulations on what can and can't be parked on the street... in Akron, OH big rig trucks are not to be parked in the city (it's a weight thing) - including in driveways with out premits. My neighbor use to park his U-Haul truck on the street which blocked the veiw down the hill for us backing out of our driveway - until it was pointed out that his wife almost got hit backing out with his baby boy in the car... he moved the truck into his drive and parked it there from that point on.

In most places - you can't block the ability for someone to use their driveway safely... unless he is affecting the use of your drive, you may be stuck with the limo outside your house. Honestly... I have had to park 6 houses away before because people parked up the street. It suck in the winter, but it's part of living close to others.

My husband complains profusely when other people park in front of our house. But my understanding is that the street is public parking and never belongs to any individual. BUT, you may be right about business use vehicles and RV's. A stretch limo would certainly be long like an RV. Call the city. They'll know.

What kind of "rules" are within your HOA by-laws? Also in some instances, a car cannot be parked on the street more than 24 hours.

In our neighborhood... Rules are clear about parking on the street. Most everyone uses their garages. The issue comes up when you've got 2-3 kids living at home with cars. Still, the police will tag cars on the street forc24+ hrs.

Check your HOA and local city ordinances.

Another issue.... Our neighbors nanny routinely parked in front of the mailbox. By law... If the mail box is blocked, the carrier is not mandated to leave mail. We did not get mail a couple of times which sucks because we run our company from home.

Our mailbox is a double which is shared by our neighbor. Only when he started working from his home did he realize the importance of not blocking the box

When we casually mentioned it, he seemed to blow it off until he did not get mail. Now the nanny parks clear of the mailbox.

Well my husband and many others like him do in fact keep their commercial vehicles in front of their house, or on the driveway. Ya know those big white vans?

Mind you there are laws against parking things like a semi in a subdivision, well actually not true you can park the cabs. One of my parent's neighbors does.

Well anyway, unless you are in a subdivision that controls such things there isn't anything you can do. Even if your subdivision indentures prohibit it you cannot pursue it your subdivision must. You would be amazed what subdivisions don't pursue because it cost a fair bit of money and doesn't actually bother the trustee.

So, in the end you really should try asking the neighbor about it. You know the why, is there somewhere else to park it, things like that.

That would drive me NUTS!

IDK if this is of any help at all...but here in Ohio a car can be towed from the street if it hasn't been moved in 3 days.

I know that because our neighbor across the street didn't like MY car parked in front of MY house and she called the cops many times to complain. :P

The street is not your property, anyone can park anywhere unless there are signs that prohibit parking. If you feel he is breaking the law then call an officer to have him ticketed. Otherwise park in front of his house since it's empty space.

we had a similar problem (in naperville). i called the police and they came that night and ticketed all the cars parked up and down the street. we have a no parking from 2-6am ordinance. call and ask-it was easy and they never knew it was me! and they never parked there again.

Check your local rules as your first line of defense. Maybe he doesn't know that it should be in his driveway.

In our suburb we have a rule that no vehicle can be parked on the street overnight (crazy IMO, what the heck!)

J.

Check with your alderman or police office to find out what the local laws are pertaining to parking on the street. Most places say anyone may park anywhere on a public street. It could be that the limo may not be allowed on the street in a residential area. Whatever the case, turn it into the proper authorities and let them handle it.

I would call the non-emergency police line and ask them about parking rules in your area. If it's really blocking you, and you can find out what the rules are, you can be nice and ask the guy not to park, and let him know what the rules are.

You can tell them that the police do drive through the neighborhood on occasion and you don't want him to get a ticket, like you're doing him a favor letting him know :)

A cop told us that unless someone complains, they won't do anything. He said they your vehicle has to move at least every 48 hours. So, if your at home and don't go anywhere, you shouldn't leave your car sit in the same spot, it has to move a few inches or feet every 48 hours. Hope that makes sense. I know someone parks his semi on the street but its just the cab but it needs a whole spot and he puts it in front of his house though. Most of us park in the same spots.

My neighbors park at the base of my driveway which makes it impossible for me to get my large SUV out without having the go the wrong way and turn around. I finally had enough and nicely asked them to stop. They have, but whatever guest they have today is parked right there. I just tell them that it is darn near impossible for me to get out of my driveway when they park there and if they want to keep doing it I can't promise that in an emergency I'm going to worry about hitting their car or not. It's rude. And your neighbor sounds rude too. I'd start parking your cars in front of your house. He'll get the hint!

Call your village hall and ask. They all have different rules for these matters. Once you find out your right then you will know what to do. When all else fails go introduce yourself and ask him to politely not park in front of your home.

Each town has it's own rules, but usually cars can't be parked overnight on the streets without some kind of a guest pass (in our little town that just means we call the police department to let them know we've got some cars parked on the street that night). So I'd start with looking into that. If that doesn't work, then I'd try the route of reporting that he's operating a business out of a residential home. I'd usually say to talk it out with him first, but since you think that won't go well, you'd still end up having to report him and then he'd know that it was you who reported him, which would make things not to neighborly between you. So I think report him and keep your mouth shut to the neighbor. good luck!

Definitely check with your town. In Lockport, we are not allowed to park overnight on the street, and you are not able to block the sidewalk even when you park in your driveway. Also, I believe we have rules about business vehicles too. Usually it is based on the size of the vehicle, and since a limo is larger than an average car, I don't think that is allowed.

Good luck. I hate when neighbors are so clueless and have no consideration for those around them.