§ 153.153 OUTDOOR STORAGE.
   (A)    Inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicles shall not be kept, parked or stored in any residential district, except within a completely enclosed building. The purpose of this provision is to prevent the accumulation of junk motor vehicles and, therefore, it shall not apply to any motor vehicle ordinarily used, but temporarily out of running condition. If the motor vehicle is being kept for actual use, but is temporarily unlicensed, the Zoning Administrator may grant the owner a reasonable time, not to exceed two months, to procure a license.
   (B)   Likewise, old, rusty and unsightly machinery, machines not suited for use upon the premises or quantities of used building materials not fit to be used to improve the premises shall not be kept or stored outside a building; provided, however, that, building materials fit to be used to improve the premises may be kept on-site for one year if they are piled off the ground so as not to become a harbor for vermin.
   (C)   Recreational equipment and vehicle storage. The standards of this section apply to all zone districts with the exception of the industrial district.
      (1)   All recreational equipment and vehicles that are stored outside of a structure shall be maintained in good condition, shall be operable and shall have a current license and/or registration.
      (2)   Recreational equipment and vehicles parked or stored outside shall not be connected to electricity, water, gas or sanitary facilities for living or lodging purposes other than allowed for in § 153.153(C)(8). Electricity may be used during times of active use including cleaning refrigeration of supplies and preparing for trips.
      (3)   The parking and/or storage of recreational equipment and vehicles in excess of 25 feet in length is prohibited.
      (4)   Outdoor parking or storage of not more than two recreational equipment or vehicles shall be permitted on any parcel of property. An unlimited number of small vehicles including floats, rafts, canoes, and kayaks may be stored in an organized, safe manner on a single property.
      (5)   Storage of recreational equipment and vehicles shall be parked completely in an enclosed structure or within the side or rear yards, except that they may not be closer than five feet from any lot line, unless otherwise provided by this section. Property owners who can demonstrate that a property does not reasonably allow storage in the side or rear yards may store the recreational vehicle(s) in other areas with application to the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator will use criteria from § 153.038(F)(2)(a-e) for approval.
      (6)   Such recreational equipment and vehicles shall be placed or parked on a lot with a principal building, structure or use unless it is a lot which is attached to an occupied lot under the same ownership.
      (7)   Active use parking of recreational equipment and vehicles may be parked on one front yard driveway, provided that public streets, sidewalks and right-of-way are not blocked to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Driveway means vehicle access provided between a street or road and a parking area including if the driveway is in the setback but shall not include any additional parking aisle.
      (8)   Recreational equipment and vehicles may be used for living or lodging purposes on a parcel with a principal building for no more than 14 days within any 60-day period with a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
      (9)   The open (non-active) parking or storage of any recreational vehicle not owned by a resident or owner of the property on which it is located shall not be permitted.
   (D)   Outdoor storage areas. Where permitted, outdoor storage areas shall be screened to the public by buildings, structures or a continuous buffer. The buffer area shall include:
      (1)   A six-foot tall screen wall or fence or any combination of the following to provide an effective screen, as approved by the Zoning Administrator:
         (a)   Berms;
         (b)   Canopy, evergreen and ornamental trees; and/or
         (c)   Shrubs.
(Prior Code, § 5.73) (Ord. 806, passed 9-3-2019; Ord. 850, passed 7-1-2024) Penalty, see § 153.999