Friday night my town’s police department posted a note on their Facebook page reminding folks that it’s a City Ordinance violation to park your vehicle on your front lawn. That didn’t go over very well, with some residents getting chirpy at the police department about it. I figured it needed a little more investigation. So is it illegal to park on your front lawn in Missouri or Illinois?
No, neither state prohibits it outright. However, many cities do have laws against it. I tried searching Google to find out what motivates cities and towns to prohibit the practice. Yet what I wound up with was a lot of articles talking about cities banning the practice.
VEHQ.com says parking your vehicle on grass for a few hours won’t do much damage to the grass or your vehicle. However, long-term parking on a lawn is bad news for both.
For the grass, any leaks your vehicle has will damage the grass. Over time the soil under your car will cave and make indentations where the vehicle is parked. Sometimes the ruts left by your vehicle pulling out are superficial and can be repaired. Other times, you’ll need to resod the area.
It’s also bad for your vehicle. The grass is full of moisture. That moisture, as it evaporates will get into the nooks and crannies of your vehicle’s undercarriage, and eventually break down the protective coatings of the vehicle. That’s not good.
Of course, I don’t think any town is passing this law to protect your vehicle. It might have something to do with property…
