(A) Definitions and classification of vehicle types. For the purpose of this section only, the following definitions shall apply.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. Any vehicle used for commercial purposes including, but not limited to: commercially licensed vehicles, vehicles claimed for tax purposes of at least 10% business use, vehicles used more than 50% for non-personal use, trailers, motorized wheeled or tracked vehicles, or vehicles displaying company signage, company logos, commercial equipment, fixtures, or tools.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE — MAJOR. Any commercial vehicle and/or associated trailer which:
(a) Exceeds a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 19,500 lbs.;
(b) Exceeds 24 feet in length; or
(c) Any of the following types of vehicles regardless of weight/length, including, but not limited to: semitrailers, tractor portion of semitrucks, garbage trucks, tank trucks, dump trucks, flatbed trucks, tow trucks, cattle trucks, coach buses, school buses designed to carry more than 20 persons, or any other similar vehicle.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE — MINOR. All commercial vehicles other than major commercial vehicles including pickup trucks, vans, trailers, and school buses designed to carry 20 persons or less. Said commercial vehicles shall also be eight feet in height or less, a maximum of 24 feet in length, and no more than 19,500 lbs.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle, trailer, and/or associated hauling trailer, primarily used for sport/leisure activities, travel, camping, and/or temporary lodging.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE — MAJOR. Any recreational vehicle exceeding 24 feet in length including, but not limited to: Class A motor homes, Class C motor homes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, boats, personal watercraft, and other similar recreational vehicles/trailers. Such vehicles shall not exceed 45 feet in length).
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE — MINOR. Any recreational vehicle not exceeding 24 feet in length including, but not limited to: Class B motor homes, travel trailers, folding tent/camping trailers, truck campers, boats, personal watercraft, and other similar recreational vehicles/trailers.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE — SEASONAL. Any recreational vehicle designed for use during either: 1) the warm weather season, from April 1 — October 31 in a given year; or 2) the cold weather season, from November 15 — March 31 in a given year. Seasonal recreational vehicles shall be classified as shown below:
SEASONAL CLASSIFICATION OF
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED TRAILERS
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED TRAILERS
Warm Weather Season | Cold Weather Season | Year-Round |
Motorized watercraft (boats, pontoons, jet skis) | Ice houses without wheels | Light weight off-road vehicles |
Non-motorized personal watercraft (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, paddleboats) | Snowmobiles | Light weight side-by-side utility vehicles |
Hunting/waterfowl boats | Ice houses w/ wheels | |
Low powered golf carts and extreme golf carts | Dirt bikes | |
Motorcycles | All-terrain vehicles (ATV) | |
Motor homes/campers/RVs (motor vehicles or trailers equipped with living space and amenities typically found in a home) | Flat and enclosed utility trailers |
STANDARD VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle not exceeding 14,000 lbs. in gross vehicle weight including, but not limited to: cars, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossovers, and non-commercial trucks classified as a Class 1 (6,000 lbs. or less), Class 2 (6,001 — 10,000 lbs.), or Class 3 (10,001 — 14,000 lbs.).
UTILITY TRAILER. A small non-motorized vehicle not exceeding 16 feet in length designed to be pulled by a motorized vehicle which features an open-top or enclosed rear cargo area/bed used for the hauling of lighter loads. Utility trailers exceeding 16 feet in length and/or eight feet in height shall be considered a major recreational vehicle.
(B) Measurement of trailer length. The measurement of total trailer length shall include the tongue portion of the trailer.
(C) Vehicle limit. The maximum number of vehicles/trailers parked outside per residential lot/parcel is as follows:
(1) Maximum number of standard vehicles: 4
(2) Maximum number of recreational vehicles: 3
(3) One utility trailer shall be counted as one recreational vehicle.
(4) One commercial vehicle shall be counted as two standard vehicles.
(5) One major recreational vehicle shall be counted as two recreational vehicles.
(6) One associated recreational vehicle trailer, not exceeding 24 feet in length, holding any combination of recreational vehicles, shall be counted as one recreational vehicle.
(D) Parking setbacks and location. Storage of standard motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, and/or commercial vehicles shall be limited to garages, driveways, and other permitted parking pad/areas of residential properties as shown on following tables:
(1) Standard vehicles.
Permitted | Setback | |
Front yard | Yes | 5 ft. |
Side yard — opposite garage side | No | - |
Side yard — garage side parking pad | Yes | 2 ft. |
Side/corner lot — garage side pad | Yes | 25 ft. |
Rear yard | Yes | 10 ft. |
Rear yard w/ frontage (no access) | Yes | 50 ft. |
(2) Utility trailers.
Permitted | Setback | |
Front yard | Yes | 10 ft. |
Side yard — opposite garage side | No | - |
Side yard — garage side parking pad | Yes | 2 ft. |
Side/corner lot — garage side pad | Yes | 25 ft. |
Rear yard | Yes | 10 ft. |
Rear yard w/ frontage (no access) | Yes | 50 ft. |
(3) Minor recreational vehicles.
Permitted | Setback | |
Front yard | Yes | 10 ft.(s) |
Side yard — opposite garage side | No | - |
Side yard — garage side parking pad | Yes | 2 ft. |
Side/comer lot— garage side pad | Yes | 25 ft. |
Rear yard | Yes | 10 ft. |
Rear yard w/ frontage (no access) | Yes | 50 ft.(s) |
(s)
Seasonal recreational vehicles prohibited during the off-season.
(4) Major recreational vehicles.
Permitted | Setback | |
Front yard | Yes | 10 ft.(s) |
S side yard — opposite garage side | No | - |
Side yard — garage side parking pad | Yes | 5 ft.(s) |
Side/corner lot — garage side pad | Yes | 25 ft.(s) |
Rear yard | No | - |
Rear yard w/ frontage (no access) | No | - |
(s)
Seasonal recreational vehicles prohibited during the off-season.
(5) Minor commercial vehicles.
Permitted | Setback | |
Front yard | Yes | 5 ft. |
Side yard — opposite garage side | No | - |
Side yard — garage side parking pad | Yes | 2 ft. |
Side/corner lot — garage side pad | Yes | 25 ft. |
Rear yard | No | - |
Rear yard w/ frontage (no access) | No | - |
(7) Setback measurement. All frontage setbacks shall be measured from the back-of curb or road edge. All other setbacks shall be measured from the nearest property line according to a property survey or best available information.
(8) Obstruction. Vehicles shall not block sidewalks or trails. No vehicles shall intrude into an intersection sight triangle area as defined in § 153.079(K)(2).
(9) Vacant lots. All vehicles and trailers shall be prohibited on vacant residential lots/parcel.
(E) General regulations.
(1) Driveways and parking areas.
(a) Surface. All vehicles shall be parked on a hard dust free surface such as concrete, bituminous/asphalt, pavers, or on a city approved decorative rock surface. Decorative rock shall not be used to surface any main driveway areas. No rock or gravel containing fines shall be allowed as a surfacing material. All decorative rock parking areas shall be constructed on top of a commercial grade weed prevention fabric to a depth of at least four inches of rock and contained by high-quality, sturdy edging.
(b) Surface maintenance. All driveways and parking areas shall be regularly maintained to prevent grass/weed growth, surface deterioration, and edging damage.
(c) Size. Driveways and parking areas shall be large enough to accommodate the size of the vehicle(s) being stored. Garage side parking pads may be constructed up to 14 feet wide. Driveway access from a public street to a residential single-family detached dwelling shall not exceed 28 feet in width at the front right-of-way line.
(2) Permit A zoning permit shall be required for all new parking pads located within side or rear yards. Said permit shall be reviewed and approved by the City Administrator or his/her designee. No fee shall be required for said review and permit. A permit is not required for standard front yard driveways.
(3) Drainage. Hard surfaced driveways and parking areas constructed within a drainage easement or drainage way shall be designed to complement the original grading plan and avoid shedding excess surface water runoff onto neighboring properties. Other than the front/main driveway, any parking encroachment into an easement may require a special permit or encroachment agreement as determined by the City Administrator or his/her designee.
(4) Vehicle covers. In the event that a tarp or other material is used to cover a vehicle, said cover shall be conformed snug around the vehicle and of an earthen/natural color.
(5) Vehicle shelters. All new residential single-family homes shall have no less than an attached two stall garage. Any non-permeant vehicle storage structure, portable carport, and other similar structure designed to house vehicles, as determined by the City Building Official, shall be prohibited.
(F) Utility trailers. Utility trailers shall be located completely on the owner’s property and be kept in good repair and appearance. Utility trailers may be parked in non-permitted locations or on grass temporarily for the purpose loading/unloading, yard maintenance, and/or on-site construction projects. Unless determined necessary by the City Administrator or his/her designee, screening of utility trailers is not required.
(G) Recreational vehicles.
(1) Recreational vehicles and associated trailers shall be located completely on the owner’s property, be operable without need of repair, and currently licensed/registered to the owner/occupant of the premises upon which they are stored.
(2) Loading and unloading. Recreational vehicles may be parked in non-permitted locations temporarily for the sole purpose of loading and unloading for up to 48 consecutive hours.
(3) Use. Recreational vehicles shall not be used as an on-site home office/business, occupied as living quarters, or be connected in any way to public sewer/water service. However, permitted recreational vehicles may be utilized as a temporary living space for up to 14 days per calendar year. Portable accessory dwelling units and other similar mobile structures utilized as a living space are prohibited.
(4) Screening. Unless parked for purposes of temporarily loading/unloading, or as otherwise provided by this section, all recreational vehicles, whether parked in a conforming location or by special permit, shall provide screening to the height of the vehicle or six feet, whichever is less. Front yard screening is not required. Screening shall consist of ether privacy fencing and/or evergreen plantings. Evergreen plantings shall be at least four (4) feet tall at the time of initial planting and any dead plantings must be replaced.
(H) Commercial vehicle parking.
(1) Commercial vehicle — major. No major commercial vehicles or equipment may be parked, stored, or otherwise located on any residential lot/parcel within an area zoned as residential, except for the following: 1) short-term loading/unloading, 2) emergency situations, or 3) by special permit, per § 153.077(I)(3).
(2) Commercial vehicle — minor. Minor commercial vehicles may be parked on a residential lot/parcel if used as the resident’s primary form of transportation to/from the resident’s job or associated with a permitted home business.
(3) Contracting and excavating equipment. All contracting and excavating equipment located on residential lots/parcels for over 48 consecutive hours shall be stored inside of an accessory building or garage. Long-term outside parking/storage of contracting and excavating equipment shall require a special permit per § 153.077(I)(3).
(I) Special permits. Based on certain qualifying criteria established by city policy, a special permit allowing off-street parking may be authorized by the City Administrator or his/her designee for the following:
(1) Non-conforming properties.
(a) Post-1990 neighborhoods. Any non-conforming vehicle(s) or parking area(s) located in residential neighborhoods established on/after January 1, 1990 and deemed out of compliance at the effective date of this section, § 153.077, in regard to its location, setback, surfacing, or screening shall require a special permit in an effort to document said non-conformity and work towards lessening of the nonconformity and impact on. neighboring properties.
(b) Pre-1990 neighborhoods. Due to irregular lot sizes, unique lot configurations, alley access, multiple driveways, and/or reduced setbacks, it may be difficult for residents owning lots/parcels established before 1990 to comply with the latest residential off-street parking standards, set forth in this section. Therefore, any non-conforming vehicle(s) or parking area(s) located in residential neighborhoods established prior to January 1, 1990 and deemed out of compliance at the effective date of this section, § 153.077, in regard to its location, setback, surfacing, or screening may require a special permit in an effort to document said nonconformity and work towards lessening of the non-conformity and impact on neighboring properties. A special permit shall only be required if the City Administrator or his/her designee determines that the non-conformity is adversely affecting neighboring properties.
(c) Maintenance. At a minimum, all non-conforming parking areas shall be kept in good repair and appearance, free of weeds/grass, and surfaced with at least four inches of gravel/rock, constructed on top of a commercial grade weed prevention fabric, and contained by high-quality, sturdy edging. Any unmaintained parking areas, as determined by the City Administrator or his/her designee, may lose their non-conforming status, and be subject to the latest regulations.
(d) Expansion. Any expansion and/or major alteration of said non-conformity is prohibited without review and approval by the City Council.
(e) Exception. If a residential property becomes vacant, without occupancy, for a period of over one year, said property shall lose its non-conforming status, and be subject to the latest regulations for residential off-street parking.
(2) Seasonal vehicles. In the case of unseasonable weather conditions, extended sport seasons or similar circumstances, a special permit may be considered by the City Administrator or his/her designee, to extend the seasonal timeframe limits allowed for the parking of seasonal vehicles.
(3) Commercial vehicles and equipment. A special permit shall be required for parking of any major commercial vehicles or long-term outside parking/storage of contracting equipment.
(4) Other unique situations. A special permit shall be required for any variance from the off-street parking regulations set forth in this section due to unique circumstances not addressed in this chapter.
(5) Issuance. Approval or denial of a special permit shall be solely within the discretion of the city based on established qualifying criteria and conditions set forth by the city.
(6) Conditions. All special permits issued by the city may be subject to conditions to lessen the impact on neighboring properties including, but not limited to: 1) increased setbacks, 2) specific parking location, 3) time limits, and 4) site improvements, such as screening, surfacing, edging, and weed protection fabric.
(7) Termination. All property owners granted a special permit may risk the loss of said permit if any of the following take place: 1) the terms/conditions of the permit are not followed; 2) a parking area is not maintained and kept a condition of good repair and appearance, 3) corrective action is not taken immediately, after warning by an city enforcement officer.
(Ord. passed 2-29-1996; Am. Ord. 2017-275, passed 4-13-2017)