Good Parking Spaces
Can stores in a strip mall legally claim the parking spots directly in front of them for their customers only?
I've seen lots of stores that mark the first couple of spots right in front of them as reserved for their customers only and threaten to tow offenders. Is that legal? Are they really renting specific parking spots as part of their lease? I always thought that if I am there shopping in the strip mall I should be able to park anywhere, especially if I am stopping at multiple stores. I know it is probably just a threat, but what are their legal rights?
Public Comments
- In the UK, the space on the road in front of a property is public property, and anybody can park subject to any restrictions in place. However, there are times when there is space in front of a shop which is not on the road, and a proprietor may state there is a penalty for non-patron parking, but this is notoriously difficult to enforce.
- Well, it is their property and the signs are a fair warning. However, if you patronize their store and stop at a couple others in the mall, I doubt they will be really anal and have you towed. What I would do is stop in that store first, look at an item and say "I am going to buy this but I need to go over to the Barber shop and get my hair cut first"
- yes, if it is in front of a commerical business they are intitled to it
- its in the lease agreement w/ the landlord of the strip mall. 100% legal. parking spaces are not public space since they sit on private property. and they have the right to remove anything they wish not to be on their property. no different than if someone parked in your driveway and just left the car. you would have the right to tow it away.
- Sounds legal to me, as you are on private land, it's theirs to do what they will. I'm sure they have a bigger lot for all the other people... We got a strip mall here that's next to a movie theater. All the spaces for the stores are clearly marked, so they can tow the moviegoer's cars easily from the other stores' spaces.
- The parking lot is private property. they can do whatever they want.
- Since it is private property, yes they can. It's in the lease, usually.
