Painting a curb yellow so no one parks on my driveway!
The yellow paint would be helpful as would one of those freestanding no parking signs.
BHS
in Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks and Steps 13 years and 4 months ago
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10 replies
tgiardina | 13 years and 4 months ago
We are constantly calling the police to have people towed because they park on our driveway. The area to the left of our driveway can only fit 1 regular car and maybe a Smart car…but people always try to fit 2 cars and ones rear end always blocks our driveway. I really do not understand why people would risk this, especially when they see our cars in our driveway! Me neighbors keep telling me to paint the curb yellow one foot in each direction of my driveway. Can I legally do this? Is there any code saying how close you can actually park to a driveway opening? I see that people paint the curbs yellow all the time and I think I need to also!
Master Plvmber | 13 years and 4 months ago
The City doesn’t recognize yellow curbs. They only acknoweldge curb cuts.
Boerumresident | 13 years and 4 months ago
OP — I see lots of people also tag the areas in front of their curb cut with a yellow x’ed box, which is a helpful indicator for drivers. OTOH, it’s not clear if you have a curb cut. If not, I am pretty sure then people can park in front of your driveway all they want. I assume you do, as I can’t believe the police would come and tow the cars otherwise.
miamiurbanist | 13 years and 4 months ago
It’s easier to ask for forgiveness, then it is to ask for permission. Try it.
CRussen | 13 years and 4 months ago
We have the same problem. We painted the cut and 6″ of curb on either side bright yellow–I followed the remnants of old paint. BTW, it didn’t really help. We get people’s car butts in the driveway all the time, making it hard to get in or out, as our driveway is very narrow. We call the cops all the time. BTW: according to the city, you CAN block your own driveway and you will not get a ticket. We do it all the time, especially when we’re expecting guests and are afraid someone else will block it.
bobjohn | 13 years and 4 months ago
As a driver, I would sugest putting “No Parking” signs. Probubly even next to the curb. If legality of the space is the question, I saw people put “No Parking / Legal driveway permit #2123409” or something like this. Or as a russian-sneaky sort of solution: find broken hydrant and put it next to your spot 🙂
rugbyroadii | 13 years and 4 months ago
The police department does not tow cars that block driveways. Â They will ticket the car and you have to call a tow company. Â Happens to me all the time.
slopemope | 13 years and 4 months ago
In addition to paint, they have that reflective road tape that will illuminate when a car’s lights hit it at night time: Â http://www.pavementmarkingtape.com/6-x-30-Preformed-Thermoplastic-Roll-6-30-thermo-ylw.htm
needmtg | 13 years and 4 months ago
Marking your driveway, ok, Â but also ‘one foot’ either direction off-limits? I would call that entitled, and, hopefully, illegal. Most driveways are plenty wide enough for normal cars.
greenwoodgeneral | 13 years and 4 months ago
We have a driveway. It’s a blessing, and also requires some work and social finesse. It can also cause lots of problems. I’ve put down a list of strategies that have been reasonably successful for me, learnings from situations I’ve handled badly, as well as observations about how I’ve seen others handle their driveway. You have legal off street parking– many will hate for this, and some will constnatly and actively challenge it with their cars. As the ‘guy with the driveway’ you will always seem to others like the jerk when you assert your right to park. People won’t understand that if your curb cut is std 8′ and they park up the edge of the cut or into it, that you can’t turn 90 dgrees into the street to get out of your driveway. Don’t worry so much about that because even if you are not a jerk, you can’t change that other people will think you are. Don’t fall into the trap of becoming a crank which is really easy in these situations. Aside from proper signage, here are some other steps you can take to avoid. 1\. Console yourself with the fact that you have off-street storage for your car. Smile. 2\. Don’t worry if you see people have parked you in if you know you have no place to go for the next 8-12 hours. If they are still there in the morning- go to step 9\. 3\. Confront people nicely when you see them parking you in- say something like: Start with- Hi. Please don’t park in my driveway. … then if needed…Listen, I know it’s hard to find a spot, but if you leave your car there, and I can’t get out without hitting it, I don’t want to, but I’ll have to get it towed. – but be nice when you say it. Say thanks when they leave. If they argue, just say OK and go to step 9 (call the precinct). 4\. Console yourself with the fact that you have off street storage for your car. 5\. If you really, really, need to, park your own driveway in. For instance, if there is a church on the block, and you know that every Sunday between 8AM and Noon, the block will fill with parkers and double parkers, just save everyone the hassel and block your own spot. Caveats: Don’t be the guy who always parks in his own driveway. Don’t ever be the guy who has two cars- one in the driveway and one parking the driveway in… 6\. Try to get to know as many of your neigbors on the block as possible. They won’t park you in if they like you and if you have regular conversations about the weather, etc…. Also get to know their cars so you can ring their bell or call them if you think it may be them parking you in. If they think you care, they will also stick up for your spot by telling people not to park there if they see that happening. 7\. If you observe that neigbors are in the habit of using your driveway as a loading zone, consider letting them continue to do so without comment. Consider letting neighbors use your driveway if you are ever out of town. 8\. If you can’t identify who has parked you in, just call the precinct and issue a ticket- You don’t need to follow through with the tow unless you really need to get the car out of there pronto. But don’t sweat it if you do. 9\. If it turns out you had your neigbor towed, and you didn’t realize it- Apologize for the unavoidable towing. Be clear you needed to get out to work or something and couldn’t wait around. Give then some flowers or a bottle of wine anyway. They just paid hundreds of dollars and probably had their car scratched to hell. You can empathize without feeling guilt for them getting towed for parking you in. 10\. Smile and console yourself with the fact that you have off street storage for a car in New York City.