Los Angeles - Madonna has landed in trouble for erecting fake parking signs in New York to nab space for her cars.

The 57-year-old singer angered neighbours on the Upper East Side of the city - where she owns a $40m townhouse - by having large metal posts installed into the shrubbery beside the precious kerb space to unfairly claim three large spots for her Sports Utility Vehicles, according to TMZ.

The black and red signs were intended to scare off drivers desperately seeking space in the congested city - where parking is extremely limited - and state in bold: "Tenant Parking Only. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at vehicle owner's expense."

They were also accompanied by the words "No Parking" embossed in cement on the pavement, and a yellow line on the kerb.

One neighbour uncovered her scheme, and they confronted a bodyguard standing beside her trio of cars and questioned the signage.

But the singer's aide reportedly replied: "We know the right people."

Not to be deterred, the neighbour contacted New York's Department of Transportation.

The agency visited the area on Wednesday and told the Like a Virgin singer's representatives to have the signs removed immediately as the singe had no legal grounds to erect the signs, enforce a fine or deter other drivers from using the space.