Can a business owner not allow me to park in his parking lot?

Question

I live in Spokane Washington. Here it seems business owners can and will tell people not to park in their parking lots, even lots that are shared by a large number of businesses.

Are the business owners justified?

What is the controlling regulation or where can I find it?

Answer 1

There is a large shopping complex near my college, and they have signs posted everywhere in the lot that students aren't to park in there. If students park in the lot, that's one less spot that a customer could be able to use, so not wanting to lose business, they ban the students from using their lot.

With that said, realistically, they have no real way of knowing which car belongs to who. If they were able to though, what they could end up doing is calling a tow company, stating there is an unwanted car on their property, and the car would be impounded at the owner's expense.

Answer 2

A parking lot is private property. Even though it is open to the public, a business owner can tell you not to park there.

You stated more than one business shares the same lot. The only argument you may have is if one business owner says you can not park there, but another gives you permission.

Answer 3

If it is, in fact, their parking lot (which is what you called it) then sure, they can. If it's not their parking lot, then no.

Answer 4

if it is their property, they have the right to say who can be there and who can't