Guidelines for Overnight Parking in Towns

[Spaceman Spiff]

In Minnesota an unpaid traffic ticket (or any ticket able offense) has interest and penalties added after a specified time (the first IIRC is 10 business days).  Costs add up quickly.  At some point a bench warrant is issued for the registered owner of the vehicle (after notification by mail a number of times).  In state, this will come up with any interaction with government.  If stopped by police, you will be arrested, jailed, appear in court, make bail, appear in court again and pay the fine plus penalties, interest and court costs =  expensive.  I don't know if this warrant is reported to out-of-state data bases and what another state would do about it. 

 -- Spiff

 

[tx2sturgis]

By the way guys. timotb was talking about a parking ticket.

Not a traffic ticket.

 

[highdesertranger]

as I said, "all unpaid tickets" doesn't matter if it's parking or a DUI. California will come after you one way or another. highdesertranger

 

[clb3092]

as I said,  "all unpaid tickets"  doesn't matter if it's parking or a DUI.  California will come after you one way or another.  highdesertranger

And that is no joke! Before the younger George Bush changed the extradition laws California was extraditing people from the east coast for speeding tickets. Not only that, there are a few counties in California where they will hold your registration hostage if you have had a library fine that was overdue for a single library book! And don't you even about jumping off this mortal coil while owing the state of California money because they will be the first in line when it comes time for the executor of your estate(or more likely, when your family is forced into probate court) begins the process!

 

[USExplorer]

as I said,  "all unpaid tickets"  doesn't matter if it's parking or a DUI.  California will come after you one way or another.  highdesertranger

In California, non-payment of a parking ticket is a civil matter, not a criminal matter. I have an outstanding "vehicle habitation" ticket from the city of San Diego to the order of 126 dollars. I haven't heard from them since receiving a letter saying that my appeal was rejected, back in May last year.

 

[Belchfire]

Does anyone know where the best casino for overnight parking in South Lake Tahoe?

 

[Qxxx]

If you do some checking, you're likely to find that the casinos are closed. Just a guess. OTOH, there are many casinos on Indian reservations in the west, and they may have their own rules. They are private lands, and anyone camping there will probably stand out in an obvious way.

A bit of google searching indicates Tahoe is closed, Vegas may be targeting to reopen mid to end of May, and Blue Water Casino in Parker closed indefinitely.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have no recent experience but I have heard that now a days trying to overnight anywhere around Tahoe is very difficult. I also heard that overnighting in the Casino parking lot is not allowed.

if anybody has any info on this subject please post it up.

highdesertranger

 

[Lorelei072]

I’ve been stealth camping for almost 2 years in a smaller town with an abundance of shopping centers. I got my 2nd knock about an hour ago with the threat of jail next time I’m there.

I’m really confused about what property I’ve been warned about. It’s 2 adjacent shopping centers surrounded by individual restaurant properties including a Cracker Barrel, and there were others overnight parking on shopping center A (I was on shopping center B. The cop said the warning applied to all the properties in that area.)

This leaves me with 6 places to overnight. I’m uncomfortable with increasing the frequency of the remaining 6 when places are banning overnight parking. I started out with 8 and was warned about Walmart & Home Depot (That was the same warning. The cop at the time told me it was the same property owner but now I’m looking at the county tax records and see it’s 2 different entities.) Does that matter at all?

m thinking of going to speak to someone at the police station for clarification. Would that be a bad idea?

Maybe it’s time to start going to neighboring towns. Outside of the 2-mile strip that includes my job, the next shopping centers are 6 miles away.

 

[bullfrog]

Does where you work have employee parking or own a driveway or piece of private property you can park at? Many times businesses pay to have someone watch the property after hours. Is there a 24 hour gym with parking you can join? Is there a community college or someplace with classes that issues parking permits that you can audit a class or maybe take a gym class (showers)? Asking the police for a temporary safe place to park is a good idea but trying to live in a small town in a vehicle where there are laws on the books against it may be up to the officer's judgment as far as enforcement so you may be on their radar because of a complaint, just saying, plus staying in different places doesn't really help if they are still in the same small area. I would be looking at 25 miles between sleeping spots or renting a spot at a storage facility with 24 hour access or some type of rental/parking space. Maybe get a night audit job at a local motel and sleep during the day in day use areas. If there are truck stops with parking maybe add those to your list of places but definitely enlarge the distances between spots.

 

[Lorelei072]

Thanks for the guidance (25 miles). To answer your questions, I work at an Aldi. There are 1-2 trucks that park overnight at the rear corner of the property adjacent to 2 other properties. I’m not comfortable overnight parking at work, though, because 1 of my supervisors is very closed-minded about things and manic. I will, however, if the fuel pipelines are shut off again. My gym is across the street and included in my remaining 6 overnight parking spots. I’ll look into the other things.

 

[Lorelei072]

It’s me again. I’m rather concerned about this lifestyle that up to now has been pretty rewarding. So now I’m forbidden from ever being in this shopping center again or face jail time.

This could have been at my job, my gym, or one of the food establishments I regularly frequent.

Is this a common occurrence? Did I make a mistake? (Other than sleeping in a parking lot directly off a highway with at least 5 other vehicles.)

It seems ridiculous and over-the-top to me.

 

[bullfrog]

The only possible mistake would be not insuring you could legally park there overnight. It is also important to be a part of a community in a small town which can be a lot of work but well worthwhile. Getting to know others in the community by volunteering or acts like picking up trash or helping with emergency services or their community projects really helps. There are some really helpful good people out there but if you don't let them know you are one as well they become afraid or feel you are becoming a burden on the community. By staying in a limited area you get noticed as they see you and your vehicle often. That is okay if they know you and like what you have done to help the community but if not then not being noticed is important and in a small town getting off the radar by expanding your commute, leaving the area at night or staying some place where you have permission and is legal is best. It isn't important how you feel it is important how they feel about you.

 

[techsolutions]

I saw renting car garage from private home owner for small fee monthly on youtube comments,this may work sometimes

 

[crofter]

For researching a particular town, I use Allstays.com

Android version is "allstays pro" for about $35 per year, but still cheaper than one night at a state park or a camping ticket.
-crofter

 

[crofter]

  ...I would be looking at 25 miles between sleeping spots...

Agree, in my experience urban stealthing does require more gas & driving than boondocking on public lands that allow camping.

Gym membership at a 24 hour gym is a great idea and may even get you an invite from the manager to stealth in their lot.

I did have a similiar experience in Vancouver WA on short stops (couple hours) with walMart and Winco of all places, end of parking lot near a fast food restaurant. I was camp hosting at the time and using Vancouver stores as my resupply. They hated having my cash business. After the nastiness of a few security guards I found a new place to spend my cash.
-crofter

 

[wayne49]

I saw  renting car garage  from private home owner for small fee monthly on  youtube comments,this may work sometimes

As long as the neighbors can tolerate it.

 

[lab_nomad]

As long as the neighbors can tolerate it.

I feel like people nowadays are way too damn nosy! Why would it bother someone to see a car pull into someone's garage? People are too sensitive anymore. I was raised to mind my own business. Now it's all about "if you see something, say something." Blech

 

[Casa De Wherever]

Most people just want to be left alone to pursue their version of life, liberty and happiness, but always keep in mind that your freedoms are defined by your choices. Here's a simple method: Whatever makes you feel bad, leave it. Whatever makes you smile, keep it - because the clearest sign of wisdom is continued cheerfulness. Here are some lighthearted stealth camping considerations...

 

 

[wayne49]

Neighbors worry about a decline in their property values, and transient strangers who aren't property owners.
Local zoning codes may not allow renting out rooms, garages, etc.
Rentals have requirements for the safety of the renter.