The keyword here is “private”. If you are going to park your motor vehicle anywhere on private property, you need to make sure you have received permission from the owner of the property first or your vehicle can be subjected to immediate towing. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for any tow or storage fees resulting from the tow and any tickets issued against the vehicle.
It is fairly easy to identify private land in residential areas, but with commercial and business areas, it becomes a little more difficult. It is important to remember that just because a business, mall, apartment complex, etc., has a big parking lot, with other cars parked on it and tons of available space, it may not necessarily mean that you can park there. If the land is privately owned, you could end up finding your vehicle gone upon your return.
MN Statute 168B.04 allows vehicles to be towed from private property with the following restrictions:
Towing on private property is allowed on property that is:
- (i) single-family or duplex residential property, immediately;
- (ii) private, non-residential property, properly posted, immediately;
- (iii) private, non-residential property, not posted, 24 hours;
- (iv) private, non-residential property of an operator of an establishment for the servicing, repair, or maintenance of motor vehicles, five (5) business days after notifying the vehicle owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the property owner's intention to have the vehicle removed from the property; or
- (v) any residential property, properly posted, immediately.
Always check for signs indicating no parking. In the absence of signs, it doesn’t hurt to also inquire at the business to see if there is an issue as to where you left your vehicle. Other local parking ordinances that are in place which apply to parking on private property are:
1. You may not park vehicles in your front yard. If not in a garage, they must be on a paved driveway surface.
2. A vehicle parked in your driveway must not block any part of the public sidewalk.
3. You may not occupy a camping trailer or RV on any street or right-of-way. The city Zoning code prohibits living in a camper on private property.
References Municipal Code, Chapter 15, Article III - Stopping, Standing and Parking Generally
Approved Ordinance Amending Parts of Municipal Code, Chapter 15, Regulating Parking and Violations