neighbor parking in my driveway (grill, windows, gas, condo)

[riveree]

Originally Posted by 33458

They don't even park on the swale...everybody parks fully in the street, both ways. It is the most...

Actually, you're not legally allowed to park on the swale - it is an easement.

You're also not legally allowed to park over a sidewalk - even when that sidewalk cuts across your own driveway (it is a right of way).

I understand the frustration though. I have a few neighbors who use their driveways to cook dinner (barbeque).....I always found this odd .

[AksarbeN]

Keep it simple always works. Talk with the neighbor and let them know that this is your driveway and you don’t want anyone parking in it. If they have quests over, they should tell their quests to not park in it. Post a simple sign saying that it’s a no parking private driveway and let things be what they are. If you find a car there, call for a tow truck.

Don’t worry about the neighbors, good ones would never have allowed this to become a problem in the first place!

[luckyduck]

Hey everyone. I've called my township, but the planning office is always busy. Other people at the office said I might not need a permit for hedging, but I want to be sure, since it's not something I can hide! After reading through all your suggestions, I've realized that I really should do something. At first, I thought, why should I go through all the trouble of spending money and getting permits because of my lousy neighbor? But then, I realized that if they are so boldfaced to do this twice when we're home, they will definitely use my driveway when we're NOT home (and I really don't like that!) Plus, these neighbors will be there for years, just as we plan to be here for years also. (Unless they move )

I thought the black chain (with or without the No Parking sign) was a great idea, but my problem with that is that I'd have to close it when I leave and open it when I get home-- and that's tough considering my street is a No Stopping-No Standing-No Parking zone. I'd really LOVE to put down spikes for extended vacations (just because it's hilarious), but my parents have offered to house-sit when we go away anyway.

So I think the hedging is the best and most practical solution for us. It will create a tangible barrier, but will be pretty to look at. And I'm sure the neighbor will put two-and-two together, that we are doing this to create a boundary from them. I kind of like the diplomacy of that, too

Thanks everyone for all your support and wonderful ideas!

[luckyduck]

I finally got through to the planning office. The officer was so nice that we got to talking about why I want hedging in the first place, and he suggested a low fence to indicate the boundary line! He said it is also not a big deal for him to sign off on the low fence. But still, I think the hedging is plan A, then the fence is plan B if the hedge doesn't work.

Thanks again everyone!

[BlueWillowPlate]

I am really glad that you found a solution, luckyduck.
Please report back on your progress.
It's a bummer that you have to do this in the first place, but I suppose experiences like these build character and help us get along in the world.
Maybe even the neighbor will actually learn something from all this.

[virgo]

Originally Posted by luckyduck

I finally got through to the planning office. The officer was so nice that we got to talking about why I want hedging in the first place, and he suggested a low fence to indicate the boundary line! He said it is also not a big deal for him to sign off on the low fence. But still, I think the hedging is plan A, then the fence is plan B if the hedge doesn't work.

Thanks again everyone!

Good luck! Hope it all works out well in the end!!!

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by luckyduck

A guest of my neighbor parked on my lot on the grass (not even on the driveway!) because they thought no one was home (I didn't have a car but I was home). Since I am new to the area, I didn't want to pi$$ off my new neighbors with a rude New Yorker reaction, so I politely wrote a note -- "please don't park here"-- and left it on their dash. As I was walking away, the owner of the car apologized profusely and said they were visiting and didn't know where to park. (Of course, that is not justifiable because the neighbor they were visiting could've told them.) They were on their way out anyway, so they left right away.

Yesterday, my husband came home to find not one, but TWO cars, parked in our driveway! He honked for several minutes and the car owners were guests of the neighbor and said they had nowhere to park. My husband, who has a shorter fuse than me, yelled at them and told them it was not a private driveway. My husband also had cargo to unload and could not wait (our block is no standing, no parking), so he pulled in with the two cars still in our driveway. The car owners had no intention of leaving!

So my husband left his car there, blocking the two cars, and when the two cars were finally ready to leave, they honked, but my husband refused to come out. The two cars somehow learned how to maneuver themselves off of our driveway.

Anyway, I told my husband he should've called the cops or have had the cars towed. But as we are first time homeowners, our reaction time is a bit delayed and we are still very much trying to avoid pissing off our neighbors (who have been living here longer than us.) I'm tempted to build a fence on our property line (complete with a gate!) but I don't want to ruin the aesthetics of my home because just because my neighbor is an inconsiderate fool. I also worry that they'll think they have free rein to park here when we are away on vacation.

Further, I wonder if these people suffer from a delusion of grandeur, making them to feel entitled to park their Mercedes, BMW, and Cadillac in our driveway... my husband and I drive a Honda! Still, it doesn't give them the right to park on private property, but I wonder about that, too.

Well, thanks to all for letting me vent. Even if it has nothing to do with neighbors parking in your driveways, I'd love to hear your stories about neighbors being inconsiderate and what you've done to alleviate your situation.

next time have them towed at there expense, call a tow company that is a bit of a distance away. That will keep them from doing it again. especialy if they think you will do it again.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by luckyduck

Yeah, our driveways are really close. Their driveway is separated from mine by a 1-car-wide/2-car-long patch of grass (my property!) So it is very easy for them to park on my patch of grass, or to park in my driveway completely. Another reason I've been avoiding the fence is because their driveway would become very narrow and I foresee that they would definitely bang the fence, even unintentionally. And like I said, fencing is pretty rare in my neighborhood.

A hedge might work though! Didn't think of that!

tack strip in the grass? lmfao might not be a good idea, but a tow bill, and replacing a few tires from nails might make them think twice.

[michelleleigh]

We have the same problem, at our apartment complex, evry sunday someone used parki n our assigned spot(smart because the office is closed) I am too nice I just ask them to please move there car when they can. My husband, finally went to the office and they gave him some 24 hour tow notices, it stopped, however someone now lets their big dog poop in front of our car doar. Hedge sounds Like a good idea.Its ad but you have to really think before you havetheir cars towed,thees people could be a bit off. Good Luck

[clawson26]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

The polite but firm talk with neighbour sounds like a reasonable first effort, even though it shouldn't be necessary.

If the problem continues, have the vehicles towed. Nothing like a $200 tow bill to reinforce the point.

I have done that and I only had to do it once! When the neighbor came over all indignant about the car being towed I just played dumb and said "Well I didn't know whose it was but I couldn't get in my driveway..."
He knew that was bull because we had asked him several times (over about three months!) to ask his guests not to block our driveway but I played dumb to avoid a screaming match. He got the hint and it never happened again!