In Louisiana, How Long Can Someone Legally Park in Front of Your House?

(KMDL-FM) If you grew up in a small town or out in the country, you know the angst that seeing a strange vehicle turning around in your driveway can bring. As a rule, the good people of Louisiana are friendly, unless you show up unannounced in our neighborhoods and then park in front of our house. Is that even legal? Here's what the law says about parking in front of someone's home.

The information we're going to provide on the subject is very general in nature. That's because different cities and towns have different regulations regarding parking. So, some of what you see here might not apply exactly in your town, but for the most part, the information holds true no matter where you are in the state of Louisiana.

READ MORE: Could You Be Ticketed for Blowing Grass Clippings in the Street?

Where Is Parking Always Prohibited in Louisiana?

Before we look at the "parking in front of my house" specific scenario, let's cover some others that we know absolutely mean no parking at all. Those prohibited places in Louisiana include public sidewalks, in front of a public or private driveway, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in the middle of an intersection or crosswalk, or any place where posted signs explicitly prohibit parking.

You probably noticed the words "in front of my house" were not mentioned. That's because with very few exceptions, the street in front of your house is a public road. Louisiana law states that vehicles can generally be parked on a public road for up to 72 hours before the vehicle is considered abandoned.

If you're not good at math, 72 hours is three days. And the law stipulates that it is 72 hours without the vehicle being moved. If the vehicle has been parked without moving for three days, then it could be subject to towing or ticketing. However, it's not because it's parked in front of your house; it's because it's an abandoned vehicle.

Get our free mobile app

What Steps Can I Take If A Car Is Parked On The Street In Front Of My House?

You're going to have to ask the owner to move the vehicle. That's really your only recourse. They're not breaking any Louisiana law by parking on a public street in front of your home. Now, if you live in a private subdivision or neighborhood where there are HOA by-laws, then parking on the street in front of your house could be considered for towing, but they aren't technically breaking any municipal laws.

READ MORE: Can Louisiana Parents Be Jailed if Their Kid Misses Too Much School?

One other caveat we should toss out to you, if you happen to have parked on private property, sometimes streets can look public, but they are private, then your vehicle can be authorized for towing by the property owner. And yes, you will have to pay the bill and associated fees.

Now, if you can remember where you parked your car, you might remember some of these.