Enforcing Parking In Your Private Neighborhood

One of the most common complaints for private communities is that they are always having to deal with parking violations. Since so many communities have a limited amount of parking and street space, there are rules set forth to help monitor the situation. Communities often post rules around the area to help people manage their parking spaces, but they are not always followed. This problem escalates when people in the neighborhood invite guests over, have renters move into the basement, or just own too many cars. What can a private neighborhood do to enforce parking in these two areas?

Have the HOA Enforce It

Many communities are finding that the most effective way to handle all of their neighborhood management issues is to have a homeowners association, or HOA.  They are typically responsible for the maintenance and enforcement of rules for all shared property in the boundaries of their own communities, including parking. Communities that often have an HOA are those that consist of condos or townhouses, but these are spreading to single family home areas at an increasing rate.

The most common rule is that covered parking spots are reserved for residents, leaving uncovered parking as visitor's parking. Another tactic that neighborhoods have used is to actually spray paint the word "visitor" onto all the parking stalls that visitors are allowed to park in. Other neighborhoods have visiting sections or lots that are clearly marked or a sign in front of each individual stall to limit confusion.

Enforcing the Rules

Unfortunately, not everyone will keep the rules, even when parking is clearly labeled. To help deal with these parking problems, parking is monitored and enforced with a towing service such as Arizona Auto Towing. Private neighborhoods have the right to contract a towing service to help them enforce their rules because everyone in the neighborhood agrees to it or is warned with a set of bylaws they receive when they move in to the neighborhood. To help the people who may not have a copy of the bylaws or to warn visitors, communities will often post a sign with a warning. Towing companies can help supply these signs. Clearly post these signs at each entry to the parking lots to let people know where they can park.

Another benefit to posting these signs is that if someone comes home to a visitor in their parking spot or someone has had their car towed, the phone number to the towing service is printed on the sign. This helps people easily get the help they need to remove a car or find their vehicle if it has been towed.