(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALL-WEATHER SURFACE.
(a) An asphalt, portland cement concrete, turf blocks or brick pavers of sufficient thickness to adequately support motor vehicles. Gravel is a permitted all-weather surface if it is at least three inches thick, free of all weeds for the entirety of the surface and contained on the owner’s property in such a manner that it does not spread across any property line.
(b) No more than 50% of the front yard setback(s) on a property may be covered with an all-weather surface. This provision, however, shall not prevent the construction of hard surface paving to access the garage(s) for multiple attached dwellings, provided the design is approved through the site plan review process. Driveways exceeding 50% of the front yard setback(s) of any lot prior to the adoption of this chapter are exempt provided no additional surface area is added.
(c) No more than 60% of the total lot area on a residential property may be covered with an all-weather surface and/or building footprint. This limitation shall not apply to residential developments that have been constructed in accordance with an approved site plan. Residential properties exceeding 60% of the total maximum lot coverage requirement prior to the adoption of this regulation shall be allowed to remain, but no additional coverage is permitted.
MOTOR HOME. A motor vehicle designed as an integral unit to be used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and for use as a temporary or recreational dwelling
MOTOR VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle as defined in Iowa Code § 321.1, including the following:
(a) Motorized bicycle;
(b) Motorcycle; and
(c) All-terrain vehicles.
PROHIBITED VEHICLES. The following vehicles shall not be permitted to be stored or parked in a residential zone or residentially zoned district:
(a) Dump trucks, construction equipment, semi-trailers, semi-tractor-trailer combinations, and any other similar vehicles/units;
(b) Unlicensed commercial vehicles;
(c) Trailers used for over-the-road hauling (designed to be pulled by a semi- tractor) of liquids, gases, livestock, fuel, refrigerated foods, materials, vehicles, construction equipment, or other products or materials;
(d) Trailers used primarily for storage.
TRAILER. Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that only tongue weights rests upon the towing vehicle.
TRAVEL TRAILER. A vehicle without motive power used or so manufactured or constructed as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and so designed to permit the vehicle to be used as a place of human habitation by one or more persons. Said vehicle may be up to eight feet six inches in width and its overall length shall not exceed 40 feet in width and its overall length shall not exceed 40 feet. Such vehicle shall be customarily or ordinarily used for vacation or recreational purposes and may not be used unless in authorized campgrounds.
(B) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate outdoor parking and/or storage within the city. The city recognizes that property owners may own or store personal vehicles, recreational vehicles and certain trailers for their personal use. The city also recognizes that property owners may own a business or work for a business that allows them to bring a company vehicle home, however large commercial vehicles or equipment in residential areas has detrimental and blighting impacts upon the residential quality and character of such neighborhoods. Such vehicles:
(1) Obstruct views on streets and private property;
(2) Create cluttered and otherwise unsightly areas;
(3) Prevent full use of residential streets for residential parking;
(4) Impair the free flow of traffic on residential streets;
(5) Decrease adjoining landowners and occupants’ enjoyment of their property and neighborhood; and/or
(6) Otherwise adversely affects property values and neighborhood patterns.
(C) Declaration of nuisance. The outside parking and storage on property used for residential purposes and/or residentially zoned property of (i) prohibited vehicles, and (ii) vehicles, watercraft, trailers, materials, supplies or equipment not customarily used for residential purposes,is declared to be a public nuisance.
(D) Unlawful parking and storage.
(1) No person may place, store or allow the placement or storage of ice fish houses, skateboard ramps or other similar non-permanent structures outside continuously for longer than 24 hours in the front yard area or side yard corner lots on property used for residential purposes and/or on residentially zoned property.
(2) No person shall cause, undertake, permit or allow the outside parking and storage of vehicles on property used for residential purposes and/or on residentially zoned property unless it complies with the following requirements.
(a) Vehicles which are parked or stored must be on an all-weather surface.
(b) The owner of a vehicle parked in the front yard or side yard of a corner lot that is not on an all-weather surface shall be prima facie liable for the violation. The violation is enforceable with a parking ticket, with rates as set by resolution of the City Council.
(c) Parking or storing of watercraft, trailers, travel trailers or motorhomes upon privately-owned property is prohibited unless parked upon an all-weather surface in accordance with division (A) of this section.
(d) Parking or storing of semi-tractors upon privately-owned property is prohibited unless parked on an all-weather surface in accordance with division (A) of this section. Semi- tractors shall not be allowed to continuously idle while parked on privately-owned property. Parking is limited to a 72-hour time period and shall be evidenced by the observance of a semi-tractor parked on privately-owned property in excess of any three consecutive days in a seven-day period.
(e) Storing of watercraft, motorhomes, trailers, or travel trailers is prohibited in the public right-of-way. Storage shall be evidenced by the observance of the watercraft, motorhome, trailer, or travel trailer parked on any public right-of-way on any three days within a seven-day period.
(f) Storing and keeping of junk watercraft, trailers, travel trailers or motorhomes is prohibited. Junk units exhibit one or more of the following conditions: broken or loose parts, flat tire(s), unsecured or damaged tarps, units filled with junk/garbage, inoperable, habitat to vermin, covered with natural growths, not registered/licensed, or otherwise unsafe for road travel.
(E) Exceptions. The prohibitions of this section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Any motor truck, pickup truck or similar vehicle being used by a public utility, moving company or similar company, which is actually being used to serve a residence not belonging to or occupied by the operator of the vehicle;
(2) Any vehicle which is actually making a pickup or delivery at the location where it is parked. Parking for any period of time beyond the period of time reasonably necessary to make such pickup or delivery is not excepted;
(3) Lawful non-conforming and permitted uses; or
(4) Agriculturally used properties greater than five acres in size or agriculturally zoned properties.
(2011 Code, § 13.0203) (Ord. 2209, passed 6-4-2013; Ord. 2246, passed 5-4-2015; Ord. 2251, passed 8-3- 2015; Ord. 2322, passed 1-15-2018; Ord. 2370, passed 3-2-2020; Ord. 2401, passed 11-16-2021) Penalty, see §
10.99