(Philippine legal context; general information, not legal advice.)

1) The core misconception: “In front of my house” is usually not “mine”

In most subdivisions, the area “in front” of a house (the roadway, curbside, and often even the sidewalk/planting strip) is not part of the titled lot. Your ownership typically ends at your lot boundaries as described in your Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) and survey plan.

So the key legal question is not “Who owns the house?” but “What is the legal status of the road/curbside space?”:

Public road (under/turned over to the LGU) → generally governed by local traffic ordinances and national traffic rules.
Private subdivision road (owned/controlled by the developer/HOA or subject to common use restrictions) → governed by property law + HOA rules, and sometimes still influenced by LGU ordinances depending on access and turnover status.

Even on private roads, the space is usually intended for common use (passage, access, utilities), not for exclusive possession by the adjacent homeowner.

2) What laws and rules commonly apply

Parking and curbside use in subdivisions typically sit at the intersection of:

A) Property law (Civil Code principles)

Civil law concepts that matter most:

Ownership is limited to your titled lot. You cannot claim the street as an extension of your property.
Easements / right-of-way concepts: Subdivision roads are created to provide access; obstructing access can trigger legal remedies.
Nuisance and obstruction principles: Repeated blocking of passage, driveway access, or creating hazards may be treated as a nuisance or actionable interference with rights.
Abuse of rights / damages: Bad-faith conduct that harms another (e.g., intentionally blocking a driveway) can lead to civil liability.

B) National traffic framework (general)

The Philippines has national traffic rules (including licensing/vehicle rules and general road conduct). But day-to-day “no parking,” towing, and street-side enforcement are typically ordinance-driven, especially for local roads.

C) Local government ordinances (highly important)

In practice, LGU ordinances are the most decisive for:

Where parking is allowed/prohibited (e.g., narrow streets, corners, near intersections, fire lanes)
Markings and signage (yellow lines, no-parking zones)
Clamping/towing policies and fees
Complaint and enforcement procedures

Because ordinances vary by city/municipality, the same parking behavior can be tolerated in one LGU and ticketed/towed in another.

D) HOA rules and subdivision restrictions

Most subdivisions have:

Deed restrictions / master deed / rules (for villages with common areas)
HOA bylaws and regulations
Sticker systems and internal traffic/parking policies

These can restrict:

Overnight street parking
Parking of commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles, PUVs
Parking that blocks sidewalks or narrows the carriageway
Guest parking zones and time limits

HOA rules can be enforceable as contractual/community obligations among members, but enforcement must be consistent with due process in the HOA’s rules and cannot override certain public policy standards.

3) Public vs private subdivision roads: why it changes everything

If the road is effectively public / LGU-controlled

Indicators (not perfect, but common):

The road is open for general public use without meaningful restriction
The LGU provides routine maintenance, garbage collection routes, or has installed official traffic signage/markings
The subdivision roads have been “turned over” or are treated as part of the local road network

Typical consequences:

You cannot reserve curbside space in front of your house for yourself.
Enforcement depends on city/municipal traffic rules (ticketing, towing, clamping).
HOA security may help manage order, but official sanctions usually require LGU authority.

If the road remains private/common-use under the subdivision/HOA

Typical consequences:

The HOA may impose stricter rules (e.g., no overnight street parking) even if an LGU might allow it elsewhere.
The HOA can impose administrative sanctions (fines, suspension of privileges, stickers) if authorized by bylaws/rules.
Towing/clamping by private entities can be legally sensitive; it’s safer when clearly authorized in HOA rules, properly noticed, and done with due care and documented procedures (and ideally coordinated with LGU rules/police where appropriate).

4) What you can (and can’t) do about parking “in front of your house”

A) Can you claim exclusive parking rights in front of your lot?

Generally, no. Unless there is a specific, legally valid designation (e.g., an officially authorized reserved space in a private road under HOA policy) curbside space is not exclusively yours.

What you typically cannot do:

Put up “Reserved Parking” signs as if it were legally binding on others (unless HOA-authorized on private roads)
Place cones, barriers, chains, rocks, or improvised obstructions on the road to “save” your spot
Threaten towing without lawful basis or proper authority/procedure

Doing the above can expose you to complaints for obstruction, nuisance, or HOA violations (yes—HOAs also penalize residents who “self-help” improperly).

B) Can others park in front of your house?

Often yes, if:

There is no ordinance/HOA rule prohibiting it; and
The vehicle is parked legally (not blocking a driveway, not creating a hazard, not narrowing the road unreasonably, not on a no-parking zone)

But parking becomes problematic if it:

Blocks your driveway or prevents entry/exit
Blocks sidewalks (forcing pedestrians onto the road), or blocks wheelchair access
Occupies corners, intersections, or narrows the road so emergency vehicles can’t pass
Violates HOA rules (e.g., overnight street parking ban)

C) Blocking driveways: the clearest red line

As a practical and legal matter, blocking a driveway is the most straightforward violation:

It interferes with your access and use of your property
It can be treated as a nuisance or a violation of ordinances/HOA rules
It is easier to prove with photos/video and witness statements

5) Sidewalks, planting strips, and “frontage improvements”

Many homeowners assume they control the sidewalk/planting strip because they maintain it. Maintenance does not equal ownership.

Common rules in subdivisions:

Sidewalks and planting strips are common/public use areas
Alterations (ramps, planters, fences encroaching outward) may require HOA approval and must not obstruct pedestrians

If your curb cut/driveway ramp extends into the sidewalk area, that does not automatically create an exclusive “no parking” buffer beyond what law/ordinance allows.

6) “No Parking” signs, yellow lines, and who can authorize them

Official traffic control measures

As a rule of thumb:

Official no-parking zones, road markings, and enforceable signage should come from competent authority (LGU/traffic authority, or HOA authority for private roads under its rules).
DIY signs may help “request” courtesy but are not automatically enforceable.

HOA signage on private roads

If the roads are private, HOA-installed signs can be enforceable internally—if supported by the HOA’s governing documents and properly implemented.

7) Towing, clamping, and “self-help” enforcement

This is where disputes escalate.

A) If the LGU has a towing/clamping program

Follow the ordinance-based process:

Report to the proper traffic authority
Document the violation (photo/video showing the plate, position, and obstruction)
Let authorized enforcers handle ticketing/towing

B) If the HOA enforces towing in private roads

Best-practice legal safeguards (to reduce disputes):

Clear written HOA rule authorizing towing/clamping
Proper notice to homeowners and residents (and ideally signage)
Documented violation (time-stamped photos)
Transparent fees and release procedures
Reasonable, non-abusive enforcement
Avoid confrontation; coordinate with barangay or police if conflict is likely

C) What homeowners should avoid

Personally threatening violence or damaging the vehicle
Blocking the other car in “to teach a lesson”
Deflating tires, scratching paint, or any “punishment” acts These can lead to criminal and civil exposure far worse than the original parking issue.

8) Common subdivision scenarios and how the law typically treats them

Scenario 1: “A neighbor parks daily in front of my gate; it’s not blocking the driveway but I don’t like it.”

If it’s a public road and not prohibited, dislike alone is not a legal basis.
If HOA rules restrict curb parking, report through HOA channels.

Scenario 2: “They block my driveway so I can’t get out.”

Stronger case. Document it and report:
1. HOA/security (if private rules apply)
2. Barangay for mediation
3. LGU traffic office (if ordinance applies)
Civil remedies may be possible if persistent (injunction/damages), but most are resolved earlier.

Scenario 3: “Someone left a car for weeks in front of my house.”

Could implicate ordinances on abandoned vehicles (varies by LGU) and HOA rules.
Documentation and reporting to the proper authority is usually the correct path.

Scenario 4: “I put cones to reserve space; HOA told me to remove them.”

Typically the HOA is on solid ground: roads are common-use; “reservation” is usually not allowed without authorization.

Scenario 5: “The street is too narrow; parked cars block fire trucks.”

Fire safety and access concerns can justify stricter enforcement under ordinances/HOA rules. Escalation to HOA + LGU can be appropriate.

9) Dispute resolution: practical steps in the Philippine setting

Most neighborhood parking conflicts are best handled in a staged approach:

Document first

Photos/video showing: date/time, plate number, exact position, whether driveway is blocked, and any signage/markings

Check the controlling rules

HOA rules: street parking, overnight parking, guest rules
LGU ordinances (if public road or if the LGU regulates the area)

Use HOA/security channels

Written complaint is better than verbal
Ask for the specific rule being enforced and the procedure

Barangay mediation (Katarungang Pambarangay)

Many neighbor-vs-neighbor disputes are routed through barangay conciliation before court action, depending on the parties and the nature of the dispute.

LGU traffic enforcement

If it’s an ordinance violation, report to the city/municipal traffic office

Civil action as last resort

Persistent obstruction/nuisance can support claims like injunction and damages, but it’s slower and costlier—best used when repeated conduct continues despite community processes.

10) Practical guidelines for homeowners (both sides)

If you want to protect access to your property

Keep your gate/driveway clearly visible
Avoid claiming exclusive curb rights; focus complaints on obstruction and rule/ordinance violations
Use HOA procedures and barangay mediation early

If you park on the street in a subdivision

Don’t block driveways, corners, or narrow passages
Respect HOA time limits and sticker rules
Assume emergency access matters: leave enough clearance for vehicles to pass

11) Bottom line

Owning the house does not automatically give you ownership or exclusive control of the curbside space in front of it.
The legality of parking there depends on: (1) road status (public vs private), (2) LGU ordinances, and (3) HOA rules.
The most clearly actionable violations are blocking driveways/access, creating hazards, or violating explicit HOA/ordinance restrictions.
The safest enforcement path is HOA/LGU processes, supported by documentation, with barangay mediation for neighbor disputes.

If you tell me your city/municipality and whether your subdivision roads are turned over to the LGU or still HOA-controlled, I can outline how the analysis typically changes and what remedies usually work best in that setup.