Lawn / Yard Parking Prohibited

Sec. 351.03(18)

Ordinance 2023-49 adopted on May 2nd, 2023

  • No vehicle may be parked on any non-parking or non-driveway portion of the lawn, grass, or landscaped area unless the area is connected with the driveway, graded, and has a hard surface of granulated material, asphalt, cement, concrete, brick, or decorative stone.
  • Exceptions apply during times of emergency due to acts of nature or during the time that a resident is in the process of moving in or out of the premises or the resident is disabled and/or handicapped. 

The regulations adopted by Clyde City Council on May 2nd, 2024, aim to balance the rights of property owners with the broader goals of maintaining community aesthetics, property values, safety, and efficient land use. This code was initiated after landlords of rental homes brought attention to the city council after tenants repeatedly damaged property and were left with the option of eviction or assistance in managing non-compliance. City Council had discussed options in the past to regulate parking in yards that created bare spots and ruts in yards and property owners driving over sidewalks and curbs and causing damage. After researching the issue and obtaining feedback from other cities with ordinances prohibiting lawn/yard parking, additional intent was added for the reasons to adopt this ordinance: 

  1. Preventing Property Damage: Vehicles have caused damage to the grass and landscaping, especially if the ground is wet. Repeated lawn parking has led to ruts, compacted soil, and dead patches, which can be costly to repair and reduce surrounding property values. Many vehicles repeatedly drive over curbs and sidewalks in order to park in the grass, creating damage that has led to increased safety hazards on sidewalks and cracked curbs and catch basins that need to be repaired earlier than necessary. 
  2. Economics and Investment: Consistent parking on lawns or grass has been linked with declining community business investment over time. Many potential business investors evaluate a town's income level and tour the residential areas to determine living standards before making a significant monetary investment in a community. 
  3. Aesthetics: Parking on lawns detracts from the overall appearance of a neighborhood. Municipalities are tasked to enforce a certain aesthetic standard to preserve property values and enhance the community's overall appeal.
  4. Safety: Parking on lawns can create safety hazards, especially if vehicles are parked close to sidewalks or roadways, obstructing visibility for pedestrians and drivers. It can also impede emergency vehicle access if the parking obstructs pathways or driveways.
  5. Zoning and Land Use Regulations: Many municipalities have zoning and land use regulations that specify where parking is permitted and ensure that properties are used consistently for their designated purpose.
  6. Community Standards: Prohibiting parking on lawns is often a way to uphold community standards, promote neighborly behavior, and mitigate visual intrusion by cars. It encourages residents to use designated parking areas or driveways rather than encroaching on public spaces or neighboring properties.

CHAPTER 351. - PARKING GENERALLY