What Parking Rules Can Your HOA Effectively Set and Enforce?

HOA parking rules can be confusing! Who can enter your community, which roads are considered private, and where should visitors park? And when it comes to parking enforcement, where is our HOA allowed to issue violations? Will parking enforcement software help solve our HOA parking problems? We’re spelling out the answers in black and white.

Can we enforce where a vehicle parks in our parking lots?

Yes. Clearly designate on signage which spots are reserved for homeowners, units, or guest parking. Don’t forget to list these in your HOA rules and regulations, they can be approved by a vote of the board. Now, your enforcement team can easily issue a parking violation whenever these rules are broken.

How to enforce where a vehicle parks:

• Verify whether the vehicle is a resident’s or visitor’s
• Issue a parking violation to the vehicle parked in the wrong spot. Include photos and notes if possible.

Can we enforce what type of vehicle parks in our community?

Yes. If your community rules and regulations exclude parking RVs, campers, boats, trailers, etc., then you can issue a parking violation or a homeowner violation to any vehicle that breaks this rule.

How to enforce what type of vehicle parks in your community:

• Verify whether the vehicle is a resident’s or visitor’s
• Issue a parking violation or homeowner’s violation to the vehicle parked in the wrong spot
• If the owner does not respond to the violation, issue a warning and then, if necessary, tow the vehicle

Can we enforce how long a vehicle parks in our HOA?

Yes. Your HOA can determine how long a vehicle may park on your property. For example, guests can have complimentary parking before paying, or perhaps each unit receives a limited amount of free guest parking per month. Additionally, many HOA communities don’t want broken vehicles turning their parking lots into automobile graveyards. Make sure signs explain the visitor parking rules and residents are promptly informed of any HOA parking updates.

How to enforce how long a vehicle parks:

• Clearly explain the rules on signage, especially near guest parking spaces
• If a vehicle breaks the assigned HOA parking rules, issue a parking violation
• If the owner does not respond to the violation, issue a warning and then, if necessary, tow the vehicle

Can we enforce that a homeowner parks their vehicle in their garage?

Yes. Your HOA is responsible for the curb appeal of your community, which may include fewer vehicles parked on the streets or in driveways. In this situation, you can enforce that a homeowner parks their vehicle in their garage.

How to enforce that a homeowner parks their vehicle in their garage:

• Detail in the lease where a homeowner may or may not park their vehicle
• Issue a parking violation to the car that is not parked in the garage
• If necessary, you may also issue a homeowner’s violation

Can we enforce where a vehicle parks on the streets in our property?

Yes, you can enforce where a vehicle parks on the street, assuming that all of the roads within your community are private roads, or ones that are exclusively owned by your HOA. In this case, your HOA board is able to enforce all of your parking rules on this street—for both residents and non-residents.

How to enforce your HOA parking rules on private roads:

• Include them in the HOA rules and regulations after a vote from the board and add them to each lease
• Write them on signage in resident parking areas and near visitor parking
• Specify where, when, and for how long a vehicle may park on a private road
• Detail use of dedicated resident parking spaces, garages, or driveways
• Parking violations are enforceable by HOA board or patrol company
• Utilize a parking software to track, issue, and analyze parking violations

However, your HOA board cannot enforce your parking rules on public, government-owned streets because they are open and accessible to all drivers—not just those from your HOA. Only city workers are allowed to ticket or impound vehicles on public roads, and most local laws state that a vehicle may not park for longer than 72-96 hours. However, there is an alternate way to issue violations to your residents who park on public roads!

How to enforce your HOA parking rules on public roads:*

• Clearly state in your HOA rules and community guidelines that it is considered as a homeowner’s violation to park on specific public roads (list their names) that run through your community
• Display these HOA community guidelines on signage throughout your community
• Patrollers first need to verify that it is a resident-owned vehicle by referencing the vehicle’s permit or license plate. Then they can document the violation with photos and send it to HOA management.
• Next, you can issue a homeowner’s violation—not a parking violation—to the resident who parked on a public road against your HOA community guidelines

*Note: always check with your legal counsel and local laws.

Can we enforce how many vehicles a homeowner has?

Yes. Your HOA’s rules and your homeowner leases include information about how many vehicles a resident may own and store on their property. If the homeowner has more vehicles than the limit, they are responsible to find additional storage space.

How to enforce the amount of vehicles a homeowner has:

• Detail in the lease how many vehicles a homeowner may park in your HOA community
• Issue a parking violation for the homeowner’s additional cars parked in the community
• If necessary, you may also issue a homeowner violation

Can we enforce the speed limit within our community?

Yes. Your HOA exists to keep your community beautiful and safe, which includes drivers following the speed limit. Make sure you have big, legible, legal speed limit signs posted frequently along the roads so there is no doubt about driving cautiously.

How to enforce the speed limit:

• Patrol agents have the right to flag down a vehicle and issue a violation for breaking the speed limit

Distinguishing between resident and guest parking spaces, or private and public roads isn’t always black and white. So how can you help your residents understand where they should and should not park? The most efficient solution is to pair a parking enforcement software with free, self, or paid parking enforcement.

Parking software is the upgraded, streamlined, efficient version of clipboards, paper parking passes, outdated spreadsheets, or security chalking. In fact, leveling up your parking enforcement with a parking software simplifies parking for HOA boards, staff, residents, and guests. Consider it an all-in-one parking solution!

Parking Boss is a smart parking management software that allows HOA board members to better enforce community rules, no matter how you patrol your parking lots. We deliver simple, fair, and secure parking to guard, protect, and monetize your parking.

• Use Smart Decals to track where residents are parking
• Easily set up digital guest parking passes
• Limit visitor parking time per home
• Boost your reserve funds with paid guest parking
• Establish overnight parking rules and methods
• Increase compliance by easily enforcing HOA parking

How can HOA parking software help with parking enforcement?

Distinguishing between resident and guest parking spaces, or private and public roads isn’t always black and white. So how can you help your residents understand where they should and should not park? The most efficient solution is to pair a parking enforcement software with free, self, or paid parking enforcement.

Parking software is the upgraded, streamlined, efficient version of clipboards, paper parking passes, outdated spreadsheets, or security chalking. In fact, leveling up your parking enforcement with a parking software simplifies parking for HOA boards, staff, residents, and guests. Consider it an all-in-one parking solution!

Parking Boss is a smart parking management software that allows HOA board members to better enforce community rules, no matter how you patrol your parking lots. We deliver simple, fair, and secure parking to guard, protect, and monetize your parking.

• Use Smart Decals to track where residents are parking
• Easily set up digital guest parking passes
• Limit visitor parking time per home
• Boost your reserve funds with paid guest parking
• Establish overnight parking rules and methods
• Increase compliance by easily enforcing HOA parking

In Summary: HOA Parking Restrictions You Can Enforce

HOAs can restrict where and when people park their cars. Some associations also make rules about the number and types of vehicles people can park inside the community. These kinds of rules can make parking more secure and improve curb appeal, especially with a smart parking enforcement system.

Request a Parking Boss demo

Your HOA needs help with parking enforcement—that’s our expertise! See Parking Boss smart parking enforcement software in live action by scheduling a demo today.

*As always, be sure to check your local laws and government regulations before making any changes to your rules and regulations. It is always a good idea to consult your legal team if needed.‍‍‍‍