How many cars can my neighbor park on the street in Modesto? How the rules work
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Nosy Neighbors in Modesto
A multi-part series by The Modesto Bee
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Living with neighbors — whether you share a property line or the same street — can sometimes come with challenges.
A Modesto Bee reader recently asked: Can my neighbor have three to four vehicles parked in the neighborhood?
Two of those vehicles “are inoperative,” the reader wrote.
Here’s what California law and the Modesto Police Department said about parking rules:
Where are you allowed to park your car in California?
There is no law in California that prevents someone from parking in front of another person’s home, the California Department of Motor Vehicles previously told The Bee.
“It is generally legal to park in front of another person’s house provided the vehicle does not block a driveway,” the DMV said.
State and local laws do, however, restrict where vehicles can be parked.
According to California’s Vehicle Code, drivers should never leave a vehicle parked on a sidewalk or partially blocking a driveway.
Modesto’s Municipal Code also prohibits vehicles from blocking sidewalks in a way that could impact public use.
In addition, California law bans drivers from parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in areas with posted “no parking” signs, on crosswalks or in front of wheelchair-accessible curbs and ramps.
How long can I park on the street in Modesto?
In California, there are limits on how long a vehicle can stay in one place.
Modesto’s Municipal Code prohibits using public streets to store your vehicles, noting that doing so presents a “risk to the public health, safety and general welfare.”
Under California law, a vehicle cannot remain parked on a public street for more than 72 hours.
“This means a homeowner could have a car removed if it is parked in front of their house on a public road for more than 72 hours,” the DMV said.
How many cars can residents park in a Modesto neighborhood?
There’s no set limit on how many vehicles a resident can park in a neighborhood, according to the Modesto Police Department.
However, all vehicles must be legally parked, currently registered and operable, spokeswoman Sharon Bear previously told The Bee.
Under California Vehicle Code, you must properly register your vehicle and pay any fees in order to drive, move or park it on a public road or in a public parking lot.
Can I report my neighbor for leaving a car parked for too long?
Modesto residents can report parking violations by contacting the city’s Code Enforcement Unit and leaving a voicemail at 209-577-5250.
You can also submit a report through the Go Modesto App, which allows residents to alert the city Code Enforcement Unit of parking issues and other municipal violations.
“All submissions remain anonymous,” city officials said.
For additional assistance, residents can call the Modesto Police Department non-emergency line at 209-552-2470.
Call the police department’s abandoned auto line at 209-572-9511 to report abandoned or nonoperational vehicles.
How does the city enforce parking rules in Modesto?
The Modesto Police Department enforces parking rules through warnings, citations and, in some cases, towing.
Officers track how long a vehicle has been parked by documenting it with notes and photos, Bear said. They also look for signs that the car hasn’t moved, such as debris buildup or spider webs.
“We also mark tires, but sometimes the owners remove the marks,” she said.
According to the city’s parking violation fine schedule, removal of chalk marks can result in a fine of $71.
If the owner is contacted and moves the vehicle, further enforcement usually isn’t needed. However, if a car is parked illegally — such as blocking a driveway or sitting too close to a fire hydrant — officers can issue a citation.
Vehicles that are inoperable or have registration expired for more than six months can be towed under state law.
“We typically provide a warning and come back at a later time to see if the owner has moved the vehicle or updated their registration,” Bear said.
How much does a parking ticket cost in Modesto?
According to Modesto’s parking violation fine schedule, violating the city’s 72-hour parking rule can result in a $108 fine.
What questions do you have about living alongside Modesto neighbors?
Living alongside neighbors can be a challenge.
Whether your questions are about reporting violations or understanding what’s allowed, The Bee is here to help you navigate neighborhood issues.
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing The Bee’s Angela Rodriguez at arodriguez@modbee.com, writing to our service journalism desk at servicejournalists@modbee.com, or filling out the form below.
You may be contacted by a Modesto Bee reporter.
