When you are parking at your home, make sure your vehicle is in a legitimate driveway.

If your "driveway" consists of dirt path extending from the remnants of a curb that looks like it was smashed with a sledgehammer, you could face a $25 fine.

Busted up curbs could also cost homeowners as much as $500 to repair if it is determined that the damage was a result of illegal parking, said Scott Robinson, a senior property inspector for the City of Savannah.

Robinson joined other inspectors late Wednesday afternoon, when residents were expected to be home, to crack down on illegal yard parking in neighborhoods.

Many times inspectors will see tire ruts in the yard, but the ordinance can not be enforced unless the vehicles are actually present, Robinson said.

Robinson did not fine everyone who decided to use their lawn as a parking lot. On some instances, a courtesy notice was issued. Others, who have received such notices in the past, were not so lucky.

"We aren't just out here writing tickets," he said. "We are also trying to educate people."

City ordinance requires vehicles, boats and trailers to be parked on an established driveway or within 5 feet of that driveway and parallel to it. Cars parked at an angle on the yard, or too far from a driveway, are in violation.

City inspectors recently conducted similar illegal yard parking blitzes in late March, generating a total of 135 citations and courtesy notices.

Principal Property Inspector Cynthia Knight said that illegal parking in yards is not only unsightly, but can also damage city infrastructure such as water meters and curbs.

"You do have rights, however, the city has ordinances you must abide with," Knight said.