For some people, seeing an unexpected vehicle parked right in front of their home — perhaps it’s the very spot they park in day after day — is an unwelcome sight.
If you’re wondering about the legality of that, here’s what to know for Colorado.
In Colorado law, there is nothing preventing a driver from parking on the curb side of the street right in front of a residence, in general, even if they are not associated with that residence, as long as there is no official posted sign prohibiting it.
But parking in front of a driveway or too close to it is forbidden by Colorado law. Vehicles can’t be parked within 5 feet of a driveway, unless it’s for loading and unloading.
In addition, the car can’t be parked on the sidewalk, grass strip or median, the law states.
Also, vehicles are not to be parked within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, according to state law.
And they must be parked facing the correct direction — in line with the direction of traffic flow, if it’s a one-way street, or with the right-side wheels up against the curb, on a two-way street.
But there’s still room for etitquette, according to the city of Fort Collins.
“Streets are for everyone’s use and vehicles can park in any legal parking place,” a fact sheet on the city of Fort Collins’ website says. “It is not illegal for someone to park in front of your home, although we urge everyone to be courteous and not take their neighbors’ parking places.”
Of course, there are limits to this if, for example, you’re visiting a neighborhood where you don’t live and therefore don’t have a sense of who regularly parks where.
In Fort Collins, there are 12 permit parking zones
Fort Collins does have 12 zones where parking in front of someone’s house is not allowed without a permit.
Neighborhoods where 70% or more of the total number of parking spaces are occupied can apply to become part of the residential parking permit program. There are fees associated for permits beyond one vehicle per household.
There are also limits for how long a vehicle can be parked on a street before the car should be moved: 48 hours.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What Colorado law says about parking in front of a neighbor’s home