Is it illegal to park in front of someone else's house in Alabama? Here's what the law says
You come home from work and see a car parked right in front of your house. It's not yours, not a guest and it's probably been there all day. Can they do that?
Are there laws in Alabama that prevent others from parking in front of your property?
In Alabama, it's not illegal to park on a public street in front of someone else's house. Streets are considered public rights of way, meaning anyone can legally park there unless specific laws, signs or restrictions say otherwise.
Under Alabama Code 32-5A-137, drivers are barred from parking in certain spots, like within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk or directly in front of a driveway. However, no state law prohibits parking in front of a home on a public street.
Local ordinances or homeowners' association rules might have stricter regulations, but unless they don't, that curb is fair game.
In Alabama, parking is also prohibited in the following areas:
On sidewalks or within intersections
30 feet from a traffic signal
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
On bridges, elevated structures or within highway tunnels
On railroad tracks
Any place where official signs prohibit stopping
Alabama law sets specific rules for how and where you can park to keep traffic flowing and roads safe:
On two-way streets: You must park your right wheels within 18 inches of the curb to avoid obstructing traffic.
On one-way streets, you can park on either side, but you must stay within 18 inches of the curb and face the direction of traffic.
Angle parking is only allowed if the road is wide enough and approved by the Department of Transportation.
On busy highways: The state can ban parking entirely if it's considered a safety risk or disrupts traffic.
Fines typically start at $50 but can climb to $250, depending on the violation and where it happened. Each city sets its own rules so penalties can vary. In some cases, your car could even be towed at your expense.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Can you park in front of someone else's house in Alabama? Here's the law
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