You come home after a long day to discover someone has decided to make your driveway their personal parking place.

Maybe they are visiting one of your neighbors.

Maybe they "only ran inside for a few minutes..."

Maybe they decided your ability to pull into your own driveway was much less important than their ability to avoid walking an extra 20 or 30 feet...

Let's take a look at what to do if this is going on in your neighborhood.

Vehicle Blocking Your Driveway?

Young woman with arms crossed looks annoyed.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

If someone has parked in a way that prevents you from getting in and out of your driveway, that's a problem. If they are parked in front of your house on the curb, there isn't really anything you can do about that. You don't automatically own the street in front of your home when you buy a house.

What Should You Do?

brown concrete statue of man
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

If you're waiting there thinking, "Maybe they are going to move soon...", that's the time when you should start thinking about the appropriate way to report it.

Don't retaliate or get all dramatic about it. You're better than that.

Document the situation and report it to 311.

According to the City of Lubbock, Parking enforcement is the responsibility of the Municipal Court System and the Lubbock Police Department. You can also download the MyLBK app to submit photos, videos, and a description of any problems you are dealing with that need the city's help.

Read More: Flock Cameras In Lubbock, Where They Are And What They Do

What If Your Neighbor Keeps Doing It?

a sign attached to a wooden fence that says dear sir / madam, i b
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

This is when things can get especially obnoxious...

If somebody is repeatedly parking in a way that interferes with your property access, be sure to document each time it happens. Take photos and write down the dates and times that it has occurred.

No, you don't need to create a 64-page dossier titled "The Case Against Rude Ronda's Camry," but having a record of the repeated problems will be useful if you need to file more complaints.

What Not To Do:

  • Block their vehicle
  • Move or damage their vehicle yourself.
  • Scream like a child.
  • Leave a mean note on the window.
  • Assume you own the entire block and every curb.

The Bottom Line? Report, Report, Report!

person in black long sleeve shirt
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

If you're getting blocked out of getting into your driveway, there's a problem; report it.

If you're just tired of a blue truck parking in front of your house (in a way that doesn't block your driveway access), you're going to have to grow thicker skin.

Be a good neighbor!

Keep scrolling for more Lubbock odds and ends in the galleries below...

The Most Infuriating Intersection in Lubbock Right Now

I just CANNOT with this spot in town.

Gallery Credit: Chrissy

Lubbock Area Public School Ratings: Excellent A Through Dismal D

The latest Texas public school rating scores reflect the 2022-23 school year. They are the first released in 5 years after legal battles delayed this information from being made public. Here is a look at how Lubbock area schools fared.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven