(a) Intent.
(1) It is the intent of this section to limit the impact of commercial vehicles and equipment, recreational vehicles and agricultural vehicles and equipment upon those areas of the county in which the land use is residential or agricultural in nature. Fire, law enforcement, emergency vehicles and those vehicles designed for persons with disability are exempt from this section of the chapter.
(2) This section shall apply to the agricultural, recreation/conservation and residential zoning districts. Commercial vehicles, agricultural vehicles, recreational vehicles and equipment are prohibited unless in compliance with this section.
(b) Commercial vehicles and equipment. It is not the purpose of the section to prohibit commercial vehicles as described herein from residential parcels when actually engaged in a business activity which requires their presence for a specific purpose and limited time period.
(1) One commercial vehicle per resident, not to exceed a maximum of two commercial vehicles, shall be permitted on a property with an occupied residence provided that:
A. In a residential development area, the vehicle shall be currently licensed, fully functional, and have a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds or less and not exceed 22 feet in length. Exclusive of a residential development area, the vehicle shall be currently licensed, fully functional, and have a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less and not exceed 22 feet in length;
B. A semi-tractor is exempt from the gross vehicle weight requirement for division (b)(1)A. above;
C. The vehicle shall be operated by a person residing on the premises, and shall provide primary transportation for the resident to and from their place of employment;
D. The vehicle shall not be parked or stored within the right-of-way; and
E. No attached vehicle, equipment or trailer shall be allowed.
(2) Commercial vehicles and equipment that are currently licensed (if required) and fully functional and are in use as part of a permitted construction project shall be allowed for the duration of the project. Should the construction project cease for a period of six months, the commercial vehicles and equipment shall be removed from the property. Commercial vehicles and equipment shall not be stored or parked for longer than 72 hours upon any right-of-way;
(3) Commercial equipment that is fully functional, owned by the resident, and used by the resident for regular or ongoing maintenance of the property (i.e., lawn care, driveway maintenance, snow removal) and not for profit, shall be allowed on properties used for residential and agricultural uses; and
(4) Commercial vehicles or equipment shall not be used for human or animal occupancy. Semi-trailers shall not be used for storage.
(c) Recreational vehicles and equipment.
(1) The parking and storage of recreational vehicles shall be allowed provided that:
A. The vehicle title holder for any and all recreation vehicles parked or stored on the property shall be the property owner or permanent resident of the dwelling; or
B. If the property owner or permanent resident of the dwelling does not hold vehicle title to all of the recreational vehicles on the property, no more than three recreational vehicles shall be allowed to be stored or parked on the property, regardless of ownership.
(2) The vehicle and equipment shall be fully functional and licensed if required.
(3) No recreational vehicles shall be stored or parked for longer than 72 hours upon any right-of-way in a residential development district.
(4) No recreational vehicle or trailer shall be connected to gas, water, septic or sewer service unless approved by a county-issued permit.
(5) Recreational vehicles shall not be used as accessory structures nor shall they be used for human or animal occupancy.
(6) Recreational vehicles shall not have their wheels removed or be affixed to the ground so as to prevent ready removal of the vehicle.
(d) Agricultural vehicles and equipment. Agricultural vehicles and equipment shall meet the following conditions:
(1) Shall be fully functional and currently licensed if required;
(2) Shall be owned by the property owner or tenant; and
(3) Shall be presently used in the activity of agricultural operations or used for regular or ongoing maintenance of the property.
(e) Township road maintenance vehicles and equipment. Those persons employed by and/or operating township road maintenance vehicles and equipment shall be allowed to store the vehicles and equipment on their property. If the property is located within a residential development area, the vehicles and equipment shall be screened from public view.
(1992 Code, App. C, § 15.17) (Ord. 26-10, passed 3-15-2010)