Is it OK in SC to park in front of someone’s home? Here’s what the law says

There’s a video making its way around TikTok where a woman tells a man in no uncertain terms he can’t park in front of her house.

He says it’s a public street.

She won’t let it go. It’s her space, everyone knows it and the neighborhood is full of friendly folks who honor her space wishes. Then she drops the bomb. She’s going inside to get her husband, Joe Anderson.

THE Joe Anderson.

Trouble is, Joe Anderson can’t really do anything if you’re parked on a public street. Even if he is THE Joe Anderson.

South Carolina — and most states — allows parking along public streets no matter whether there’s a house there or not. The street and the sidewalk or any other right of way, is not owned by the homeowner as much as they may like to think it is.

This must be a common question because social media is full of lawyers explaining this simple fact. Public space is public.

Here’s what you can’t do — block someone’s driveway, an intersection or bike path or park in front of a fire hydrant.

Some rules are slightly obvious like no parking on railroad tracks, on a bridge or in a tunnel.

State law says no parking within 20 feet of the entrance to a fire station or across the street.

Also, some homeowners associations may have their own rules about where people can park and some cities and towns may restrict certain areas even on public streets.