Parking in driveway but blocking sidewalk

Is it legal to park in a driveway and block the sidewalk?

I live in a townhouse and it really is a pain to have to walk out in the street to get around cars that are parked in driveways, yet are fully blocking the sidewalk.

I see so many people do this and was just curious if anything can be done about it.

 

No, it is not legal. If you would like to PM the address of the person blocking the sidewalk, the HOA can send them a letter letting them know they are in violation of our parking rules.

 

Does this apply to single family homes as well? We're daily walkers and I'm contstantly going around cars that block sidewalks.

 

Yes, it applies to all sections in Broadlands. Cars may not be parked in any way which blocks pedestrian use and access.

 

Are you asking if it is illegal or against the HOA rules? There is a big difference.

 

I always thought there was something in Virginia that you weren't allowed to do that, but don't hold me to that. Maybe I was just thinking it was a common courtesy.

 

In this case it is both. The HOA parking regulations specifically disallow blocking of pedestrian access to sidewalks. It is a violation of Loudoun County public safety rules as well. The county requires homeowners to clear their sidewalks of snow to provide safe pedestrian access. Why would they allow vehicles to block them?

 

http://www.loudoun.gov/controls/spe...ies+and+Public+Services/Streets+and+Sidewalks

One could argue I guess that the sidewalk is ends at their driveway, then continues at the other side.

 

Bah, missed the blasted edit timeout. It also says to check the Va Code. I couldn't find anything on this specific matter, but I didn't look too long. Maybe someone with their sleuth hat on can.

http://leg1.state.va.us/000/src.htm

 

Kind of a hijack, but on my street people curb park across from the parking spaces. It isn't a yellow curb, but it can sometimes be impossible to get out of the spaces. I have tried talking to the owners if I know them, but there are still cars there. Is there anything that can be done?

 

I occasionally had this problem with the driveway of my old house in Southern Walk. I got into the habit of backing my car into my driveway instead of driving straight into it. Worked like a charm. Your car is much more maneuverable driving straight out of the driveway than backing out of it.

 

It's also easier to back into a space than pull into one.

 

These are legal parking spaces - unfortunately - I live in a TH in the older section of Broadlands and I think if I had a bigger vehicle I'd never be able to get out, especially when a big ,old Caddy Escalade parks 2 feet from the curb...I too have talked to the neighbors if I know them and left notes on the vehicles but often to no avail...

 

This has been a long time peeve of mine!
I will begin to report these violations to the HOA. I really would like to call the cops, but feel like they should be spending their time breaking up gangs, catching drunk drivers, and the like.

The reason it bothers me so is that it presents an immediate dange to our kids, who use the sidewalks for skating, biking, etc.