Drivers spend an average of 17 hours a year searching for parking spots, according to an INRIX study.
While the transportation analytics company’s study was done in 2017, many drivers today still know the pain of looking for a parking spot. When you’re in a pinch, can you park outside someone else’s house?
In Rhode Island, it’s not illegal to park in front of someone’s house on a public street. However, it is illegal to park in front of someone’s driveway, and there are other restrictions.
Here’s what to know about Rhode Island transportation laws.
City traffic with many cars parked in line on street side.
What does Rhode Island law say about parking in front of someone’s house?
In Rhode Island, parking in front of someone’s house is generally legal if on a public street. However, there are restrictions.
According to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, you may not park:
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On the travel portion of the highway.
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Beside a vehicle stopped or parked at the side of a street (Double Parking).
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Beside any roadwork so that you block traffic.
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On a bridge or in a tunnel.
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Any place where official signs prohibit stopping.
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In front of any driveway.
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Within 8 feet of a fire hydrant.
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Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
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Within 30 feet of a flashing red or yellow light, a stop sign, or a traffic light.
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Within 20 feet of the driveway of a fire station or across the street within 75 feet of the driveway, where there are signs.
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Any place where a sign says, ‘No Parking’.
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Within 50 feet of the nearest rail or a railroad crossing unless you stop for just a short time to load or unload passengers or packages.
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At any curb cut or ramp for handicapped persons.
In Providence, there are also rules against parking overnight. Cars without a valid overnight parking permit or guest permit are not allowed to park on the street between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Other cities in Rhode Island have other specific rules too; for example, in Newport, no vehicle can be parked on a city street for 24 hours without being moved. You should check your local ordinances for detailed rules.
A stranger is parked in front of my house. Can I get them towed?
In most cases, no.
But there are certain situations where, if a vehicle is considered “abandoned,” “abandoned of no value,” or “unattended,” the police department or the private property owner can order its removal.
A vehicle is considered “abandoned” if:
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A vehicle that is inoperable, over eight years old, and is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours
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A vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than three days
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A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than three days
A vehicle is considered “abandoned of no value” if:
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Any motor vehicle that is inoperable, over ten (10) years old, and is left on public property for more than forty-eight (48) hours; or,
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Any vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than three days
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A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than three (3) days, and meets all of the following criteria:
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The vehicle has no evidence of current registration in or upon the vehicle
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The vehicle has a fair market value of five hundred dollars ($500) or less
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The vehicle does not have a valid inspection sticker.
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Vehicles considered “unattended” include vehicles parked in a place or for a period of time prohibited by law, vehicles parked in a place that’s causing traffic congestion or a hazard, or a vehicle whose operator was arrested.
If the vehicle is parked illegally, the police may order its immediate removal. But in some cases, the police department will tag the vehicle with a colored form or sticker before removal. The owner then has 48 hours to remove it.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Is it illegal to park in front of someone’s house? RI law says this
