(a) Definitions - Recreational Vehicles. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Recreational Vehicle. Recreational vehicle means any of the following:
a. Travel trailer. A vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis and on wheels; that is, between ten (10) and thirty-six (36) feet long, including the hitch, and eight and one-half (8.5) feet or less in width; designated to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation, vacation or other uses and towed by a car, station wagon or truck. It includes so-called fifth-wheel units.
b. Pick-up Coach. A structure designed to be mounted on a truck chassis for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation, vacation or other uses.
c. Motor Home. A portable, temporary dwelling to be used for travel, recreation, vacation, or other uses, constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle.
d. Camping Trailer. A canvas or folding structure mounted on wheels and designed for travel, recreation, vacation or other uses.
e. Chassis Mounts, Motor Homes and Mini-Motor Homes. Recreational structures constructed integrally with a truck or motor van chassis and incapable of being separated therefrom.
f. Converted and Chopped Van. Recreational structures which are created by altering or changing an existing auto van to make it a recreational vehicle.
(2) Boat or Snowmobile Trailer. A vehicle on which a boat or snowmobile may be transported and is towable by a motor vehicle. When removed from the trailer, a boat or snowmobile, for purposes of this Article, is termed an unmounted boat or snowmobile.
(3) Boat. Every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(4) Yard, Front. That part of a lot between the front lot line and the front(s) of the principal building on the lot, and extended to both side lot lines.
(5) Yard, Rear. That part of a lot between the rear lot line and the back(s) of the principal building on the lot, and extended to both side lot lines.
(6) Yard, Side. That part of a lot not surrounded by building and not in the front or rear yard.
(b) Permitted Parking or Storage of Recreational Vehicles. In all residential and commercial districts provided for in this Zoning Code, it is permissible to park and store a recreational vehicle or boat and boat trailer on private property in the following manner:
(1) Parking is permitted inside any enclosed structure, which structure otherwise conforms to the zoning requirements of the particular zoning district where located.
(2) Parking is permitted outside in the side yard provided it is not nearer than five (5) feet to the lot line.
(3) Parking is permitted outside on a hard-surfaced or well-drained gravel driveway, provided:
a. Space is not available in the rear yard or side yard, or there is no reasonable access to either the side yard or rear yard.
b. A comer lot is always deemed to have reasonable access to the rear yard.
c. A fence is not necessarily deemed to prevent reasonable access.
d. Inside parking is not possible.
e. The unit is parked perpendicular to the front curb.
(4) The body of the recreational vehicle or boat must be at least fifteen (15) feet from the face of any curb.
(5) No part of the unit may extend over the public sidewalk or public right-of-way.
(6) Parking is permitted only for storage purposes. Recreational vehicles or boats shall not be:
a. Used for dwelling purposes, except for overnight sleeping for a maximum of ten (10) days in any one calendar year. Cooking is not permitted at any time.
b. Permanently connected to sewer lines, water lines or electricity. The recreational vehicle may be connected to electricity temporarily for charging batteries and other purposes.
c. Used for storage of goods, materials, or equipment other than those items considered to be part of the unit or essential for its immediate use.
(7) Notwithstanding the above, a unit may be parked anywhere on the premises during active loading or unloading, and the use of electricity or propane fuel is permitted when necessary to prepare a recreational vehicle for use.
(8) The recreational vehicle or boat shall be owned by the resident on whose property the unit is parked for storage.
State Law Reference: Sec. 30.50, Wis. Stats., and HSS 177 and 178, Wis. Adm. Code.