Best ways to Keep Neighbors Off your Driveway
Neighbors using your driveway can be extremely annoying. Your driveway is supposed to be your own private property for your use only. However, everyone seems to have neighbors that think they own part of your house too! If you’re looking for how to keep neighbors off your driveway, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve dealt my fair share of neighbor driveway issues across the years. It’s a more common problem than you would think for those that live in the suburbs. This is where the majority of our clients live. You can see from the comments section there are others in the same boat (or driveway) as you, but I’m here to help. By following the same steps that I helped clients take, you can keep your driveway to yourself, as it should be.
Here are 13 ways to keep neighbors off your driveway. If your neighbor is using your driveway for access to another road, or path, or anything, this is how to stop them.
Can my Neighbor Walk onto my Driveway?
Neighbors walking on your driveway can be annoying. Technically, your driveway is your own private property [1]. Therefore, unless you allow your neighbor to walk on your driveway, they shouldn’t be doing so. You could report your neighbor for trespassing if they continue to do this without your permission.
Is it Illegal to Turn Around in Someone’s Driveway?
It is not against the law for your neighbors to turn around in your driveway, unless they use it to commit a criminal offense. However, if someone continuously uses your driveway to turn, there’s action you can take to stop this from happening.
Can my Neighbor Use my Driveway?
As just mentioned, it’s not illegal for someone to turn around in your driveway. However, is turning around in someone’s driveway trespassing? Possibly. If they stay on your driveway for an extended period of time, and your driveway is in your land registration, this could count as trespassing.
13 Solutions to Keep Neighbors Off your Driveway
Read on to find out the ways in which you can keep your neighbors off your driveway.
1. Know Your Rights
When you have neighbor issues, it is essential to know your boundary rights. The last thing you want is for your neighbor dispute to turn into an extensive and expensive lawsuit.
This Nolo Neighbor Law book gives you a full breakdown of how to handle neighbor issues, and specifically boundary lines. The book covers a wide variety of neighbor issues you’re likely to encounter, so you will get more than just one use out of this purchase.
View the Official 2023 edition – Neighbor Law
2. Hang a Chain Across your Driveway
Similar to installing a barrier or putting up cones, a chain will also prevent neighbors from turning on your driveway. You’ll have to find two objects to hang your chain from, such as a tree or a bar on a gate. Remember if you do this though, you’ll have to unhook the chain every time you want to use your driveway [2].
This has been a popular choice for our clients to choose. It sends a clear signal to your neighbors that your driveway is for your use only.
Make sure to install the chain in a way that’s easy to hook and unhook, so you’re not wasting too much of your time. This is how to stop someone from turning around in your driveway.
3. Park your Car at the Bottom of your Driveway
If you have problems with neighbors turning on your driveway, you could park your car at the foot of your driveway. This is how to keep neighbors from turning around in your driveway. However, make sure you don’t park your car too close to the road that so it doesn’t become a hazard.
This is how I solved my first client neighbor driveway issue. They had neighbors and other drivers constantly turning in their driveway because they lived at the end of the road. They just felt like their car was always at risk, and one of these people would eventually reverse into it. Parking their car further forward discouraged this from happening.
4. Install a “No Trespassing” Sign
By having a clear sign outside your property, you’re communicating with your neighbors that you do not want them to access your driveway. Neighbors should see this if they’re on your driveway and swiftly remove themselves from it. For example, in Baltimore MD, a person cannot stay on private property, such as a driveway, if there is a sign stating they should not be there [3].
However, if a neighbor is on your driveway, you can point them towards your sign and they should understand and apologize. Make sure to put your no trespassing signs in areas that your neighbors can clearly see them [4]. Each state has different regulations in regards to putting up signs, so make sure you do your research so you know how to put signs up where you live.
5. Put up a Barrier
Installing a barrier in front of your driveway would be a clear indication do your neighbors that you do not want them to have access to it. This does not have to be a metal barrier, it could also be a wooden fence, or even some shrubbery.
Again, ensure you do your research to find out the local building laws before your spend a lot of money on a barrier. This is how to stop someone from using your driveway, because you will be the only one that can use your barrier.
Also bear in mind that if you install a barrier to prevent neighbors from turning on your driveway with their vehicles, you will then have to open and close this barrier every time you want to leave your property. This might become annoying over time! However, this is how to block driveway access from everyone apart from yourself, family, and friends.
6. Install Motion Sensor Security Cameras
Table could not be displayed.By installing security cameras, you’ll be able to monitor which neighbors are constantly trespassing on your property. You’ll also be able to use this as evidence if you ask them why they keep walking on your driveway.
If your neighbor uses your driveway to turn around all the time, this is a way to catch them in the act. This means they cannot deny any accusations, as you’ll have visual evidence of them doing so.
The security cameras have also given our clients peace of mind knowing that if their own car was to ever get damaged by a neighbor in their driveway, they have physical evidence of the culprit.
You could also install motion sensor water sprinklers. This will turn on as soon as your neighbor walks onto your driveway, and paired with the security cameras, you’ll have a funny video of your neighbor getting sprayed for trespassing on your property!
7. Put Traffic Cones on Your Driveway
Placing traffic cones on your driveway will keep neighbors off your driveway if they’re trespassing with their vehicle [5]. This is the best solution for those that have neighbors parking in front of their house. It will also give a hint to neighbors that walk on your driveway that they should stay off it.
However, it may become a bit time consuming for you to remove and replace the cones every time you want to leave and enter your own driveway. It should also be noted that putting traffic cones on your driveway can be illegal in some states, so make sure to research your local laws before pursuing this [6].
If it’s not illegal in your state though, this is how to keep people from turning around in your driveway.
8. Distribute a Letter of No Trespass
If you continue to have issues with specific neighbors, you could write a Letter of No Trespass. By doing this, your neighbor will realize that you’re thinking about taking legal action against them if they do not keep off your driveway.
The letter should show the address your neighbor should not enter (your address) and make sure you sign and date the letter [7].
If you’re unsure of how to write a Letter of No Trespass, ask your local police department for an official template, or read a step-by-step guide here.
9. Guard Dogs
This is one of the most creative ways to black a driveway. If you own a dog that regularly stays in a shelter looking onto your driveway, you could train your dog to bark at neighbors that walk on your driveway. This means your neighbors may get frightened.
When I had a dog and was working from home during lockdowns, I let him roam outside during the time of day my neighbor would typically use my driveway to turn into their own. When I heard my dog barking, I knew my neighbor was in my driveway! Eventually, my neighbor stopped coming into my driveway. This is definitely an effective way to keep neighbors off your driveway.
10. We can help
Has the relationship with your neighbor almost been destroyed? If you’re looking to try and salvage this so it’s not awkward when you walk down your street, get a third-party mediator to help you find a solution. You can typically find a mediator at a local community service center.
The mediator will arrange a meeting between yourself and the neighbor that won’t keep off your driveway, and allow both of you to get your main points across. The mediator ensures that you both find a solution in a civil manner.
11. Communicate with your Neighbor
When someone turns around on your driveway constantly, this is the best solution if you want to stop the conflict. Respectfully explain to them the reasons why they should not be on your driveway, and tell them you wouldn’t consider being on their driveway. Remember, you should be polite when doing speaking to your neighbor, because at this current moment your neighbor is in the wrong [8].
You could also consider writing a complaint letter to you neighbor to further express your feelings and concerns.
However, if you become aggressive with your neighbor, then it will become more difficult to resolve the situation. Your neighbor may start talking badly about you to other neighbors.
12. Use a Towing Company
If a neighbor has parked on your driveway several times, for a long time, or refuses to move their car, call a towing company to come and remove their vehicle [5]. Some neighbors can be really stubborn, and the only way they’ll keep off your driveway is by taking drastic action.
This is how to keep cars off your driveway if your neighbors keep constantly parking in it. However, it is unlikely you’ll be able to resolve your relationship between yourself and your neighbor after doing this. So think carefully before calling a towing company.
13. Contact the Police
Probably a last resort option, get in touch with the police and inform them about your situation. If the neighbor continues to park in your driveway, this can already be considered trespassing which means you could file for a civil lawsuit. Telling your neighbor you’re going to call the police before doing so may encourage them keep off your driveway.
Conclusion
If you have a neighbor that continues to trespass on your driveway, the first and best thing to do is talk to them about it. If this doesn’t solve the issue however, definitely look at using one of our many solutions to take action.
If your neighbors are loitering in front of your house, read this post.
