HOA Parking Rules

Parking rules cover driveways, assigned spaces, the private street the association owns, and sometimes the public street in front of your house. That last one is the one to read twice. An association does not automatically control a city street. Some declarations still restrict what you park on a public street if the covenant is written that way, and some state statutes limit those restrictions, especially for work vehicles and guest parking.

What to find in the documents

Look for commercial vehicles, RVs, boats, overnight street parking, and guest passes. Note whether the ban is in the recorded declaration or only in a board rule. A board rule that invents a driveway ban the declaration does not mention is weaker than a recorded covenant. Florida’s chapter 720 has specific limits on some parking and vehicle rules adopted in recent years. If you are in Florida, read the Florida guide and section 720.3075 before you assume a pickup truck in a driveway is a violation.

If you got a notice

Photograph the vehicle, the plates, and where it sits. If it is a guest, say so and give the dates. If it is a work truck the statute protects, cite the statute. Cure anything that is an easy violation, like a car blocking a fire lane, the same day. Use the violation response for the rest.