ORLANDO, Fla. – I received a question about cars parking on the sidewalk outside businesses along John Young Parkway near Old Winter Garden Road and honestly, if you’ve driven through that area, you may have seen it too.
Vehicles pulled halfway or completely onto the sidewalk like it’s some kind of bonus parking lane.
Let’s clear this up right away: it’s illegal.
Florida Statute 316.1945 specifically prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle “on a sidewalk.” The law exists because sidewalks are part of the public right-of-way and must remain accessible for pedestrians.
And no, a business doesn’t get to override that because their lot is full. Public sidewalks are not overflow parking, valet staging or “just for a minute” zones. They are meant for people... including children, runners, parents pushing strollers and individuals using wheelchairs or mobility devices.
When a vehicle blocks that path, pedestrians are often forced into the roadway, which turns a simple walk into a dangerous situation. Safety, not convenience is what the law is designed to protect.
I know parking can be tight at popular spots, but if your solution involves climbing the curb and occupying the sidewalk, congratulations… you’ve officially created a new traffic problem instead of solving one.
If this is happening regularly, local law enforcement or code enforcement can address it, especially when it creates ongoing safety hazards.
At the end of the day, sidewalks are for walking, not parking. So do your community a favor: keep your vehicle where it belongs, in a legal parking space and leave the sidewalk to the people who actually need it.