Due to the number of residents that now own some type of RV, travel trailer, or motor home, the City Council finds it necessary to establish the following set of regulations to ensure that the parking, storage, and maintenance of these vehicles is consistent with other established ordinances in the various neighborhoods and that the regulations are consistent city wide.
(A) Parking.
(1) Motor homes, travel trailers, and other RVs are not designed, nor intended by the manufacturer, to be occupied on a permanent basis. These vehicles are intended for temporary housing while traveling and camping. However, permanent residence shall be permitted on the same basis as manufactured homes, provided all provisions of this chapter are followed.
(2) Motor homes, travel trailers, and other RVs shall be allowed to park on the street near a residence, in the driveway forward of the front build line for a period not to exceed 48 hours to facilitate loading, unloading, and cleaning in preparation for a trip or when returning from a trip. Such parked units may not impede traffic or block views of adjacent traffic.
(3) Motor homes, travel trailers, and other RVs shall not be parked forward of the build line at any residence for any reason for a period exceeding 48 hours. (Exception: An exception is granted for residents on a corner lot. An RV parked parallel to the alley on a corner lot(s) may exceed the build line of the residence where the home is turned facing the adjacent street).
(4) Maintenance shall not be performed on any vehicle of this type while parked in front of the build line.
(5) Parking shall be allowed in back yards and side yards, provided such parking does not violate any subdivision regulations or covenants. Covered parking shall only be allowed as approved in the zoning ordinances.
(6) Permanent connections to city utility services; water, sewer, and electric shall be permitted provided the provisions of this chapter are complied with and all permits have been obtained. Any vehicles found connected in violation of this section shall be cause for service termination after proper notice to cease and desist has been delivered to the resident. Temporary connections will only be allowed in designated RV parks or mobile home parks with RV spaces unless approved, in advance, on a individual basis by the City Manager or his or her appointee.
(7) Individuals who persist in the connection of utility services to these vehicles shall be cause for the city to have the vehicle towed and impounded at the owner’s expense.
(8) Vehicles in this section may be used for an extended period as construction offices, temporary commercial offices, labs, and for other purposes, and may be connected to city utility services for the required period of time necessary to facilitate the construction of permanent structures. Any vehicle used under this provision, for periods exceeding more than six months shall be approved by the City Council.
(B) Storage.
(1) Motor homes, travel trailers, and other RVs shall not be connected to city utility services when stored at any location in the city limits. A permit may be obtained from City Hall allowing for electrical connection to be made to maintain a chargeable/rechargeable system that is built-in to the unit. Permits will be at no cost, however, at no time can this unit be occupied while stored at a residence.
(2) Vehicles in this section may be stored at a residence, provided that they are behind the front build line and such storage complies with all subdivision regulations and covenants.
(3) Stored vehicles in this section may not be positioned so as to interfere with alleys or access to backyards, or in any other way impede firefighting capabilities or restrict access of other residents.
(4) (a) Stored vehicles in this section that are found in disrepair, deteriorating due to age and/or weather damage, or have not been tagged shall be deemed a nuisance.
(b) The owner will be notified to remediate the condition immediately. Once notified, the city will work with the owner and establish a time line for the remediation. Under no circumstances shall the remediation exceed four months (120 days).
(c) If the owner fails to resolve the nuisance, the city will remove the offending vehicle, and assure that it is properly disposed of, at the owner’s expense.
(5) Offsite storage of motor homes, travel trailers, other RVs, boats, miscellaneous equipment, and other mobile equipment and vehicles will be allowed in areas designated and zoned for that purpose.
(6) Such storage sites will be located in zones designated as C-1 and/or areas approved by the City Council.
(Prior Code, § 151.25) (Ord. 2019-562, passed 9-3-2019; Ord. 2020-564, passed 1-16-2020) Penalty, see §
151.99