Annapolis Residents Fined $200 for Blocking Driveways

Residents of Annapolis are facing unexpected $200 fines for parking in front of their own driveways, causing frustration among homeowners who have used the same parking arrangements for years.

Multiple residents in one neighborhood report receiving steep citations after parking a second vehicle in front of their own driveway. According to local reports, three neighbors in the same cul-de-sac were all ticketed on the same morning, despite using the same setup for decades.

Some families involved have reportedly lived there for more than 26 years without ever receiving a citation. The tickets fall into two categories: some drivers were cited for parking on the street in a way that blocked their own driveway, while others were fined because a vehicle parked in the driveway extended far enough to partially block the sidewalk.

This second scenario is particularly problematic as many modern vehicles are simply too large for older suburban driveways. A full-size truck, long-wheelbase crossover, or even a large family SUV can easily stick out over the sidewalk by a few inches, which appears to be enough to trigger a $200 fine, sometimes exceeding $300.

Residents say they've appealed to both local officials and the city's parking contractor, but their efforts have been unsuccessful. One resident reported their initial appeal was rejected, with a second appeal still pending.

Mayor Jared Littmann suggested that increased complaints from residents may be driving more neighborhood enforcement, stating that when residents call for more enforcement on their street, officers may issue citations for any violations they observe while there.

There's currently no remedy or fix coming. Residents must be especially careful how they park in Annapolis, and those living elsewhere might want to double-check local parking regulations before parking in front of their own homes.