How long can someone in SC legally park in front of your house? Here’s what the law says

There’s not much you can do if someone other than your guest parks in front of your house.

Even if it is Thanksgiving and they’re loaded with multiple yummy dishes for your feast.

Roping off the space might be a bit aggressive.

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.

Social media is full of lawyers explaining this simple fact. Public space is public. Unless there’s a fire hydrant. That’s a big time no parking zone.

There are a lot of rules about what you can’t do, such as, blocking someone’s driveway, an intersection or a bike path. Some rules are obvious, like no parking on railroad tracks, 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 from a fire station.

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

But here’s when you can get a break on parking, in Columbia at least.

On-street metered parking. Free all day Thursday and Friday.

It’s an official city holiday. In fact, City Hall is closed on Thursday and Friday.

As is the norm, parking is free on Saturday except in Five Points and in the Bull Street District. Also free on Sunday and after 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Four days of free parking downtown.

This includes on-street parking and parking at the gateless lots PJ Cannon, 1227 Taylor Street; Washington Deck, 1136 Washington; Taylor Deck, 1101 Taylor Street and Devine Street Deck, 2221 Devine Street.

Columbia fines range from $25 for re-feeding a meter to $500 for parking in a handicap spot.