Strata Parking Rules – Everything You Need to Know

The parking situation with strata properties creates a host of issues between owners, residents, and visitors. It’s a shared area after all – and without the right rules and regulations (and tenants sticking to them), the process of getting in, getting out, and safely storing your vehicle at an apartment building would be a nightmare.

So, what are the strata parking rules? There are standardised regulations, but strata properties can also have their own set of rules.  

Any behaviour that results in a breach of strata parking bylaws – from parking in others’ spaces or in restricted areas of the property – can often create a cascading effect of others doing the same, causing major inconveniences and disputes. 

Whether you’re a strata lot owner, resident, or manager, having a comprehensive understanding of the applicable strata parking bylaws can help you to avoid breaches, and resolve potential disputes effectively.

General strata parking rules 

Some buildings and owners have a car parking area that is detailed on the title plan and when this is the case, that car parking space is the property of that apartment owner.  There are often also shared parking spaces — the important thing that all involved parties need to understand is that strata parking rules are put into place to ensure smooth traffic and fair parking for all, and are not ‘restrictions’. 

Parking allocation 

Strata parking allowances for owners and tenants are typically outlined in the strata plan or specific by-laws of the strata title and cover issues such as the number of available parking lots allocated to each unit, as well as whether parking lots are assigned to specific individuals. 

These parking lots allocated for residents are reserved for just that – residents. This means that visitors are not allowed to park in reserved spots; doing so will not only unfairly take up the available parking space for the resident in question, but also result in a breach of strata parking by-laws. 

Visitors parking 

Strata properties will usually include a handful of parking spaces for visitors, e.g. relatives or friends visiting a resident. In the same way, residents are not allowed to park their vehicles in visitor parking lots. 

Depending on the strata’s by-laws, there may or may not be time limits placed on how long visitors can park in them. If no time guidelines are indicated, visitors are still expected to park for a reasonable amount of time. 

Disabled parking

Disabled parking spots are reserved strictly for drivers with a valid disabled parking permit and apply to both residents and visitors. Parking in a disabled parking space will not only hinder accessibility for disabled drivers but also result in a breach of strata parking rules. 

Common breaches of strata parking bylaws

Here are some examples of the most common strata parking bylaws breaches: 

• Parking in someone else’s assigned parking space
• Parking in any area that is not an indicated parking space or in a way that obstructs access points such as driveways, entrances, or common walkways
• Parking oversized vehicles in spaces that are not specifically designated for them
• Failing to adhere to parking time limits

What are the penalties for strata parking by-law breaches?

A clear breach of parking by-laws will allow the strata corporation to impose a penalty of up to $500, provided the articles of the strata corporation have been amended to include this. 

This $500 penalty is applied to owners of the lot — in the case of tenants as the culprit, this penalty can be passed on from the owner to the offending tenant. 

It’s also worth noting that while the stated amount is $500, the penalty need not be strictly $500 and should be reasonably adjusted for the nature and extent of the breach. 

Can parking offenders be towed from common property?

The body corporate holds the authority to arrange for the towing of vehicles that breach strata by-laws and regulations. 

However, this process often usually requires a considerable amount of time, and the corporation must adhere to a formal process before towing a resident’s vehicle. As such, it’s crucial for all residents to be thoroughly informed about specific by-laws related to parking in order to avoid causing costly and time-consuming issues.

Tips for reducing strata parking disputes  

Communicate clearly with one another

Not everyone will be cognisant of your parking needs, which is why it’s important to communicate with other residents or owners if you require an exception to the standard parking rules in your strata. By making your needs known, a solution may be formulated to avoid a breach of bylaws. 

Respect allocated spaces

The presence of strata parking allocation on the strata plan, or rules in by-laws is to ensure that traffic remains smooth and that everyone is able to share the common space. Adhering to the rules will contribute to a more cooperative and pleasant strata community to live or work in, and reduce the likelihood of costly disputes from occurring. 

Work with a body corporate management service

Even with the best intentions, sometimes some friction between residents and owners regarding parking arrangements occurs, as each resident may hold a different view towards what is permissible. In such cases, a body corporate management service can help to serve as a mediator to quickly and effectively resolve disputes through problem-solving and negotiation. 

As the leading body corporate management service in Adelaide, Strata Data can help to maintain a positive strata community and handle a comprehensive range of strata management services, including issues related to parking. Contact us today to find out how we can reduce the stress of managing your strata corporation with our cost-efficient services across South Australia.