BIRMINGHAM,AL (WIAT)- Parking your car in your front yard, or on the sidewalk, has just become a crime in one area city. The Birmingham City Council passed a new parking ordinance Tuesday morning. From now on, parking away from the pavement could cost you a fine.
A set of tire tracks leads up to a blue truck parked in the front yard of a man who feels a new law is violating his rights.
"We don't own anything anymore. If the city can come in, City Council comes and says, 'you cannot do this, you cannot do that on your property, because this is just the beginning,'" said John W. Ford, Sr.
Ford is fuming over a new ordinance that prohibits him from parking in his own grass.
People say there's simply not enough room to park in the driveway, so they park in the yard instead.
"Especially on a busy street, they pull their car off the street, some of them pull it off the sidewalk or the curb, where it wouldn't be sideswiped," said Ford.
But, at the same time, some folks say the law is necessary....because a parked car is not just a personal matter.
"It brings down the value of the property and I wouldn't want to come in a neighborhood when there's nothing, but a lot of cars parked and there's no grass and no progress in the neighborhood," said Vivian Starks.
For now, those who insist on breaking this law can expect a $50 fine.
"I'm hoping Birmingham just enforces it, that's all. If they enforce it, we'll be okay," said Starks.
