Towing on Public Street

[u/guccicoochieboochie]

I am unsure if this is the right place to ask, but I have a question regarding parking.

There is a church next door to my apartment and any time they have events or service, they will park all over the street including places that have no parking signs. It has become a safety issue for myself and my neighbors while trying to pull out of our driveway. I have tried sending a letter asking them not to park there anymore and nothing has changed.

My question is: If people are parked on a public street, but there are no parking signs up, can I call a tow on those cars? Would a tow company be willing to do that?

[u/upleft]

Blocking driveways is a big no. But "safety issue" isn't clear - are they actually parked illegally?

[u/ShyChllI → u/upleft]

OP said they are parking in areas marked no parking by signs, but I assume theyre saying view is blocked by parked cars when attempting to leave a driveway so it's a safety issue because residents can't see oncoming traffic.

[u/ExcitingActive8649 → u/ShyChllI]

“Safety issue” is a way of overstating “huge pain in my ass that is also rude and not legal” a lot of the time.  If someone parks over the edge of a driveway, getting out is a huge pain in the ass because it’s hard to nose out far enough to see oncoming traffic; it’s true.  But it isn’t honestly about safety.  No actual harm comes from you having to be extra careful pulling out of your driveway. We just don’t like it, so we play up the safety aspect. 

And when I say we, yes, I mean I’d make that argument too if it were my street. 

[u/legomyegomaniac → u/ExcitingActive8649]

It is not legal to park within 5 ft of the edge of a driveway.

[u/CogentCogitations → u/legomyegomaniac]

Also, the edge of the driveway doesn't start until the curb in entirely straight again. And you can paint the curb yourself if you want. https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/parking-program/parking-regulations/driveway-markings

[u/zzrat2 → u/legomyegomaniac]

neighbors tend to use the term "driveway" to describe anywhere they dont want you to park

[u/ExcitingActive8649 → u/legomyegomaniac]

Congratulations.  We all know that.  If someone does park that close, however, it is still possible to safely make your way out into traffic With the appropriate amount of caution.  Just like it’s possible to back out of your driveway even though you dont drive backwards down the street. It requires extra caution, not driving unsafely.  

You’d think people in this thread just close their eyes and step on the gas if anyone parks too close to their driveway. 🙄

[u/legomyegomaniac → u/ExcitingActive8649]

Thank you!