The orientation of entrances may not be that great a problem in its own right. The current zoning and other ordinances may define a set a nuisances: tall grass, rubbish, loud noise, overcrowding, and so on. There may also be a historic preservation ordinance preventing certain structural or facade changes. Those rules are all well justified and can be used to cite any degradation to property. But a design change like this could be said to fall within normal freedom. Plenty of residents may already park on driveways beside their houses and use their side doors almost exclusively, with the front door merely decorative. Indeed, the use pattern described would free up curbside parking for other residents, visitors, and businesses to use: a positive for the neighborhood.

A change is happening in the neighborhood, but rather than take a restrictive/punitive course, there may also be recourse to community engagement. Does anyone have experience taking a change like this and responding with outreach rather than enforcement?

I think it's important to understand "why" residents are starting this new trend in the neighborhood before citing residents. The reasons could stem from crime, lack of parking, street cleaning hours, etc. which are all legitimate reasons for parking your car in the backyard instead of alongside the curb. If the reason(s) for parking cars in the backyard cannot be solved or solved within a timely manor by the local jurisdiction, the jurisdiction should consider implementing parking pad standards (zoning) as a way to preserve the beauty and cohesiveness of the community while still addressing the residents concerns. I found this neighborhood zoning regulation on the City of Aurora, CO website: "Parking Surfaces and Driveways; Only 40 percent of the front yard can be a parking or driveway surface. The parking or driveway surface in a rear yard cannot exceed 750 square feet or 25 percent of the backyard- whichever is less. Parking of any type of vehicles, boats, trailers and campers on landscape and/or lawn portion of the yard is prohibited. Any new parking area must be surfaced with asphalt, concrete, brick or stone pavers. All surfaces shall be maintained free of vegetation, weeds, dirt, trash and debris.

Grandfathered rock parking surfaces must have a border and be maintained to a depth not less than 2 ½ inches. Failure to maintain requires compliance with new standards."

I am not endorsing Aurora's zoning regulation, but it's an example of preserving the neighborhood, while still addressing the needs of the residents.

"But a design change like this could be said to fall within normal freedom. Plenty of residents may already park on driveways beside their houses and use their side doors almost exclusively, with the front door merely decorative. Indeed, the use pattern described would free up curbside parking for other residents, visitors, and businesses to use: a positive for the neighborhood."

I could not agree more with Matt. Many suburban Chicago communities actually prohibit on-street parking during certain overnight hours (1-6 AM for example). Residents have no alternative but to park in the driveways alongside their houses. Most residential garages are at the far back end of the properties as well, so cars parked well away from the curb do not create a problem. No vehicles are allowed anywhere on grass or landscaped areas, of course. This practice does not seem to pose a concern for public safety, code enforcement or property maintenance. Interesting that your community seems to be concerned that on-site vehicle parking and residential ingress\egress might impact property values. I'd be more concerned with foreclosures and short sales in the neighborhood. Maybe that's just me.

I agree with Matt that this may well provide an opportunity for meaningful engagement before the citation books come out. Respectfully this sounds like too much government intrusion into peoples' lives.