Is It Illegal to Park in Front of Someone’s House in Arizona?

The other day, I attended a baby shower at a friend's house. When I got to the residence, so many cars were on the road that I had to park way down the street.

I parked in front of a modest sandstone house almost a block away. As I was getting out of my car, a rather insistent lady came out of the house and asked me to move.

"My son's on his way home, and that's where he always parks," she told me.

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She seemed tired and annoyed - as though she'd been running out her front door pleading with people not to park there all afternoon. I hesitated a minute as I was processing what she said when she suddenly added, "If you don't move, I'm gonna call the cops."

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Whoa. That took me aback. Finding a new spot would be a challenge, but I had every intention of honoring her request. But then she escalated things.

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The lady took the simple request to a place. It made me wonder: what happens if I don't move my car? Could she have it towed since it was in front of her house?

In Arizona, it is generally legal to park in front of someone's house on a public street, as long as you are not blocking a driveway, parking too close to a fire hydrant, obstructing traffic, or violating any other parking restrictions. You're legally allowed to park anywhere along the road.

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In Arizona, state law does not explicitly prohibit parking in front of someone's house on a public street as long as you are not violating other parking regulations. However, Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-873 lists several places where parking is prohibited.

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Sometimes, a thing can be legal but not polite. The lady who asked me to move my car had a good reason, even if she was a little over the top with her request.

So yes, I moved my car. But it's nice to know that law was on my side. You know. For future reference.

Sources: Justica | AZ Leg