HOMEOWNERS can only legally get a car towed from in front of their home if the vehicle meets two crucial criteria.
Parking in front of someone’s house is generally legal if on a public street.
But it is illegal to park in front of someone’s driveway, and there are some other restrictions – including the all-important 48-hour rule.
There are certain situations where, if a vehicle is considered abandoned on public property, the landowner may remove it or call a towing company to do so.
According to statute, a vehicle is considered abandoned if it has been left unattended without the consent of the property owner for more than 48 hours.
It is also considered abandoned if it is without a valid registration plate or vehicle identification number.
Other towable offenses include:
- Meter violations
- Parking on a residential street without a permit
- Parking where parking is prohibited
- Parking in a way that “interferes with the policing, construction, or maintenance of the highways”
It is worth noting the latter includes the removal of snow.
In these cases, law enforcement will order the removal of the vehicle.
It’s easy to understand why parking is such a hot topic in cities.
Drivers spend an average of 17 hours a year searching for parking spots, according to a recent study.
While the transportation analytics company’s study was done in 2017, many drivers today still know the pain of looking for a parking spot.
In an extreme case, a man’s car was towed by his neighbours after he “illegally” parked there for well over a YEAR – but he claimed to live there too.
What to do if a neighbour is blocking access
What are your rights if somone is repeatedly blocking access with their vehicle?
- You should always try and approach your neighbour in a calm manner first.
- You can leave a note should you not be able to speak to them directly.
- If a neighbour is parked on your driveway and this is part of your land, they are technically trespassing.
- It is considered a criminal offence but there is no criminal law preventing someone from parking on your driveway.
- Do not try and move the vehicle yourself because you will be responsible for any damages and have to pay for repairs
- The courts have the jurisdiction to remove a car from the driveway for you if you choose to pursue a civil case for trespassing.
The fuming resident took matters into their own hands after a Kia owner repeatedly ignored a “No Parking” sign.
A video shared by the Everything Autos YouTube channel revealed how the 2014 burgundy motor was taken away by a tow truck.
