How to Report a Car Parked In Front Of My House? Dealing with Unauthorized Parking

Seeing an unfamiliar car parked for several days in front of your house is not a good sign. You can think about how to report a car parked in front of my house. The good news is there are some measures that can be taken to help remove the car or at least make the police look into it.

In this article, you can find a few ways how to report a car parked in front of your house and parking in front of my house law.

Can You Have a Car Towed for Parking In Front Of Your House?

For sure. You have the right to call the towing company if a vehicle that is not yours and is on your public street has been parked there for a considerable period of time. Specific guidelines will be provided by the local and city ordinances. Also, typically, if a car hasn’t moved for 72 hours, you can consider calling a towing company.

If the vehicle is a threat to safety, officers can transfer a ticket and take the car away much earlier. But just because you can have a vehicle removed doesn’t mean this should be the first thing to do. Try first to locate the owner and tell him to move his vehicle.

What to Do If Unknown Car Parked In Front Of My House?

If you notice an unfamiliar car parked in front of my house for days, follow these initial steps:

• See if you can find the car from any neighboring/visitor who parked there.
• Write down anything special about the car – make model, color, and license plate number.
• Ask around your neighborhood as to whether someone is having visitors who may have parked there.
• Leave a note on the car asking whoever owns it to please not park there or move the car.
• Check back in 24 hours and see if the car is still there. If it is there, then contact your local police non-emergency number to report.
• Call a tow truck company and have it removed from the lot if the car has been there for many days.

How to Report a Car Parked In Front Of My House?

If an unauthorized car remains parked in front of your house for over 72 hours, follow these steps to have it towed away:

Step 1: Contact Your Local Police Department

Call your local police department's non-emergency number. File a report about the unknown parked vehicle. Provide specific details like:

• Vehicle make, model, and color
• License plate number and state
• Exact parking location
• Estimated duration it has been parked
• Any observed damage or abnormalities

Step 2: Post No Parking Signs

Post highly visible 'No Parking' signs around the area after filing the police report. This further indicates you have not given permission for the vehicle to park there. Having photographic proof of unauthorized parking signs will help justify towing.

Step 3: Contact a Towing Company

Most cities contract authorized towing companies to remove abandoned vehicles. After 72 hours, call one of these tow trucks. The company will first place a warning sticker on the car stating it will be towed. Then, after a short grace period, such as 24 more hours, they will return to impound the vehicle. There is typically no charge to the property owner for calling a tow truck - the vehicle owner must pay all impound fees.

How to Report Cars Parked In Front Of My House Online?

Many police departments allow online reporting of issues like unauthorized parking in residential areas. Here are the steps to file the report:

Step 1: Use Your City's Parking Enforcement Website

Most cities have a website where you can submit parking complaints online. Search for "[your city] parking enforcement" to find the website. There will typically be a form you can fill out to report the illegally parked vehicle. Make sure to include specific details like:

• License plate number
• Make and model
• The exact location, including the closest street address
• How long it's been parked there
• Any other relevant details about the situation

Step 2: Submit Photos as Evidence

Take clear photos showing the car, license plate, and surrounding area to document the violation. Most city websites allow you to attach photos to your report. The photos give proof to support your complaint.

Step 3: Check Back on Status

After submitting the report, you'll usually get a reference number. Save this to follow up later. Check back in a day or two to see if any action has been taken yet. If not, consider calling the parking enforcement office to provide more details over the phone.

How to Prevent Unknown Cars From Parking In My Property?

Stopping unauthorized parking in front of your home whenever possible is ideal. Here are proactive tips to discourage strangers from leaving their cars on your property:

Display Private Property Signs

Post clear private property or resident parking only signs in front of your home. Drivers are less likely to park on signed residential property for long without permission. Be sure the signs meet city code so they cannot be removed as a nuisance.

Install Security Cameras

Security cameras that point towards the street can further deter people from parking in your space. Signs warning of video surveillance monitoring removes excuses that they did not see your no parking signs. Security footage containing license plate images will also help police track down owners of vehicles if necessary. For example, the new Reolink Duo 3 WiFi with 180-degree field of view is perfect for your driveway.

Call Local Traffic Enforcement

Develop a relationship with traffic cops or parking enforcement in your area. Call them directly when unauthorized vehicles appear so they can monitor, ticket, or tow sooner. Providing license plate numbers to officials greatly helps speed up investigations.

Construct Physical Barriers

As a last resort, placing carefully positioned physical barriers can prevent access to parking in your area. Ensure any posts, planter boxes, decorative fences or other obstacles do not create safety issues or violate city codes. This should only be done after exhausting other options.

FAQs

How long can a car be parked in front of my house in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles permits vehicles to park on public streets for 72 hours before being eligible for towing. Extensions may be granted by displaying a permit or temporary permission from city officials. Parking in the same spot perpetually can still prompt citations.

Can I complain about people parking in front of my house?

Yes, property owners have the right to complain about unauthorized vehicles parking in front of their home on private or public spaces. You cannot claim exclusive rights to public street parking. But unknown persons should not park blocking your driveway, sidewalk, or marked spaces indefinitely without consent.

How long can someone leave a car on your property?

In most states, a car parked on private property without the owner's permission for over 48-72 hours can be towed away at the vehicle owner's expense. Leaving a car in someone's private parking spot, unapproved, for days can be considered criminal trespassing.

Conclusion

Having an unrecognized car park in front of your house for extended periods is frustrating and often preventable. Following the proper steps to report, document, and tow unauthorized vehicles as a last resort takes patience. Preventative measures also help deter strangers from occupying your space. Understanding the laws where you live makes enforcing your parking rights much easier.

Let us know in the comments if you have experienced unauthorized parking in your neighborhood and how it was resolved!