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Council discusses parking near residential driveways; no ordinance change yet
Summary
Council members reviewed resident complaints about vehicles parked close to residential driveways and compared Little Elm’s rules with nearby cities. Staff and the police said state law already prohibits blocking driveways; councilors signaled caution about adding a prescriptive distance rule because of enforcement concerns.
Council members discussed whether Little Elm should adopt a specific distance rule to prohibit parking next to residential driveways but took no formal action.
Council Member Lisa introduced the topic at a March 18 workshop after a constituent asked the town to review its parking ordinance and consider a rule banning parking within a few feet of a driveway. “I had a constituent reach out to me and wanted us to go over our ordinance for parking, specifically… 5 feet from a driveway,” Lisa said.
The town’s staff told councilors the current Little Elm ordinance does not include a specified distance (for example, 3 or 5 feet) prohibiting parking adjacent to private driveways. Staff compiled comparisons with surrounding jurisdictions: Corinth and some others have stricter language prohibiting parking in front of public or private driveways; Denton has a 5-foot guideline; Frisco prohibits parking that leaves less than 3 feet of roadway; Prosper and The Colony use a 3-foot standard unless the property owner consents.
Police and code-enforcement leaders explained how similar complaints are handled now. The chief said officers first attempt public education and then rely on state law to address vehicles that actually block a passageway or a driveway, noting they distinguish true blockage from an inconvenience. The chief said enforcement involves judgment calls by officers and cautioned that adding a rigid 3- or 5-foot rule could increase calls for service significantly.
Council members expressed sympathy for residents who have trouble exiting driveways when vehicles park close by, but several said they worried a new distance requirement could create an enforcement “can of worms.” One council member said the town is “being proactive” but urged caution before creating a new ordinance. Another asked staff to provide options and comparator language for future consideration.
Next steps: staff will keep the item on their work list, with comparator language provided in the meeting packet. No ordinance amendment or formal vote was made at this meeting.
