The purpose of this section is to limit the use of recreational vehicles and other nonpermanent structures for permanent human habitation because it is the determination of the city council that their use in the city for permanent human habitation is deleterious to the health, safety, and welfare not only of the persons residing therein, but, additionally, of the public at large. Portable heating devices, nonstandard electrical connections, a lack of approved sanitary facilities, including, but not limited to, bathrooms with toilets, sinks or showers or bathtubs and standard kitchen facilities, among other facilities associated with safe places of permanent human habitation, all lend themselves to unhealthful, unsanitary and hazardous living conditions, if utilized for extended periods of time, occasioned in part because camper vehicles and other nonpermanent structures are not intended for use as places of permanent human habitation and do not adequately provide for the needs associated with human habitation.
1. Definitions.
A. “Occupy” means the use of a recreational vehicle for living, sleeping, dwelling, housekeeping, business, residence, or other purposes associated with human occupation or habitation, for any duration and whether or not occurring on an overnight basis.
B. “Owner” means any person whose name appears on the public records of the City of Grinnell and of Poweshiek County as the owner of premises, whether under deed, contract, bill of sale, or other means of conveyance.
C. “Person” means natural person, partnerships, associations, and all other bodies, corporate or public.
D. “Premises” means any lot or parcel of land or real property of any nature, whether improved or unimproved, including any building or portion thereof.
E. “RV Park” means any premises within the City of Grinnell which has been permitted as a tract of land designed, maintained, or intended for the purpose of supplying sites for the location of camper vehicles and conforming to all zoning and building codes and all codified requirements of the city of Grinnell, also including mobile home parks.
F. “Recreational Vehicle” means:
(1) Aircraft: A general term applying to all manner of aircraft, whether impelled by wind or mechanical devices, and which are designed for recreational or vacation use. An aircraft when mounted upon a trailer shall be considered one unit.
(2) Camper: A separate vehicle designed for temporary human habitation, and which can be attached or detached from a vehicle. When removed from the vehicle, campers are called "unmounted campers". These campers are sometimes referred to as "truck campers" and "overhead campers". Camper shells on pickup trucks are excluded from this definition.
(3) Camper Vehicle: Shall include all campers, camping trailers, motor homes and travel trailers.
(4) Camping Trailer: A type of trailer or trailer coach, the walls of which are so constructed as to be collapsible and made of either canvas or similar cloth, or some form of rigid material such as fiberglass, plastic, or metal. The walls are collapsed while recreational vehicle is being towed or stored and are raised or unfolded when the vehicle becomes temporary living quarters and is not being towed.
(5) Motor Home: A motorized vehicle that has a truck or motor van chassis primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for travel, camping, recreation, and vacation use.
(6) Travel Trailer: A trailer without its own motive power, designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreation and vacation use. This definition includes fifth wheelers.
(7) Utility Trailer: A trailer without its own motive power designed and/or used for the transportation of animals, goods, material, aircraft, watercraft, and all manner of motor vehicles.
(8) Watercraft: A general term applying to all manner of watercraft, whether impelled by wind, oars, or mechanical devices, and which are designed primarily for recreation or vacation use. A watercraft when mounted upon a trailer shall be considered one unit.
(9) Within the Corporate City Limits of Grinnell: Includes, but is not limited to, residential neighborhoods, commercial and industrial areas, construction sites, and privately owned property of any nature.
2. Violations. Recreational vehicles shall not be used for dwelling, living, sleeping, or business purposes within the city outside an approved RV park.
3. Exceptions.
A. Temporary Guests: Family or friends of residents who come to visit may temporarily occupy a camper vehicle situated on the resident's property but may only do so for a period not exceeding fourteen (14) continuous days, and shall not, under any circumstance, exceed a total of twenty-eight (28) days in a single year.
B. Catastrophes and Emergency Situations: If a catastrophe or similar type of event occurs that leads to residents being unable to reside within their permanent dwelling and requires them to temporarily reside within a recreational vehicle, the City Manager or Building and Planning Director can grant temporary permission to do so. An inspection of all utility connections must be made before occupancy can be granted for this purpose.
C. Private Storage and Use Purposes:
(1) Recreational Vehicles of any size may be stored on the home premises of its owner so long as it is 5-feet from any property line or in an accessory private garage building on the owner's premises.
(2) The connection of a utility service for other than rudimentary cleaning, preparing, repairing, or other similar type of activity is prohibited, unless being utilized for temporary guests.
D. Temporary On-Street Parking: If currently registered and operable, a recreational vehicle may park on public streets or municipal lots from April 1 through October 31 of each year for a period not to exceed 48 consecutive hours and no camper shall be parked on any public street for more than 48 hours in a month.
(1) A recreational vehicle parking permit may be obtained no more than twice annually to extend on-street parking time limits for up to five additional days for no more than two occurrences in a calendar year. Permit fees to be established by separate resolution by the city council.
(2) Any recreational vehicle not able to move under its own power and parked on a public street must be attached to a towing vehicle.