What To Do If Your Neighbor Keeps Parking In Your Driveway

There are few things more aggravating than finding someone else's car parked in your driveway. Maybe you're already running late for work, only to discover your neighbor's station wagon blocking you in. Perhaps you need to unload a week's worth of groceries and have to make a mad dash toward the freezer from halfway down the block. Worst of all, you may have a kid in the backseat who's been begging for a bathroom since you pulled out of the school parking lot. More than just private property, our driveways are an extension of our homes, and when a neighbor repeatedly parks there without permission, it quickly becomes absolutely infuriating.

From a calm conversation to calling the cops, your HOA, or a tow truck, there are several ways to handle this sticky situation. Even if you already know that it's almost impossible to get along with your difficult neighbors next door, the best step is to try talking with them about the issue before escalating matters to the authorities. It's possible that they don't realize how much of an inconvenience they're causing. Kindly but firmly setting a boundary may resolve the issue altogether. You may also find yourself surprised or even sympathetic to their rationale. For example, maybe they're trying to make space in their own driveway for an elderly parent who's visiting or a family member who's on crutches. But when the encroachment on your driveway stems from an ongoing sense of entitlement rather than an occasional situation of necessity, you may need to take more drastic action.

So what can you do if a car is parked in your driveway and conversations aren't doing anything but making your blood pressure go up? Instead of getting frustrated, take methodical action. Start by documenting every incident with photos that clearly show the car in your driveway, including its license plate. Make sure you note the dates and times. It may also be a good idea to install a home security camera, especially if the issue is ongoing. You can use this documentation to support your case with your homeowner's association or law enforcement.

If you live in a community with an HOA, consult your neighborhood bylaws to determine which specific rule your neighbor is breaking by parking in your driveway. Filing a written complaint with your HOA board can prompt warnings, fines, or even a tow truck called on your behalf. Even just the social stigma associated with a community-wide announcement reminding all residents not to park in each other's driveways without permission may do the trick.

If you can't turn to an HOA for help, check your local ordinances instead. Most municipalities consider parking in someone else's driveway as trespassing and an immediate towing offense. When your neighbor simply won't stop doing it, having their car towed may be the only way to enforce your rights. But before you do, make sure the car is fully on your property. If it's partially on the street, public right-of-way, or an easement, you're operating in a gray area that's better left to the police to handle. Even if a car is parked in front of your driveway rather than in it, they may take action, especially if your neighbor's vehicle prevents you from entering and exiting your property or blocks emergency vehicle access.