Title
Discuss an amendment to the Code of Ordinances related to parking regulations for oversized vehicles in residential areas.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Roger Neal
Mayor Terry Lynne
BACKGROUND:
The City currently has no clear regulations regarding the parking or storing of oversized vehicles, including RVs, boats, box trucks, and other vehicles on private residential property. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of recreational vehicles, trailers, and commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods.
Previously, staff were asked to explore the possibility of implementing such restrictions, the possible impacts of such regulations on all types of home-based businesses (“no-impact and “regular”) in light of Senate Bill 2464 (SB 2464), reducing the allowable length of vehicles, and establishing a grace period for residents.
Based on the staff’s review of SB 2464, the staff’s proposed ordinance does not negatively affect a home-based business (“no-impact and “regular”) if the vehicle does not exceed the proposed restricted dimensions, and/or exceed the towing weight and weight limits as proposed for an oversized vehicle. The bill, as adopted, allows the City to retain the ability to enforce compliance with Fire and Building codes, Health and Sanitation regulations, Transportation and Traffic Control regulations, Solid or Hazardous Waste regulations, and Pollution and Noise control regulations.
DISCUSSION:
At the October 21, 2025, City Council meeting, staff were asked to identify how Code Enforcement could address parking issues related to oversized vehicles without a new parking ordinance in place. Staff reviewed the Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 82 and Chapter 56, which regulate declared nuisances on public property (streets, alleys, and publicly owned land) and on private property.
Under Chapter 82, under the regulatory authority of the Police Department, vehicles are declared a nuisance when they create a visual obstruction and are abandoned, junked, or inoperable. In addition, the chapter includes established designated no parking zones, limited hours for parking of commercial vehicles, including various types of trailers, and restricts the parking/storage of recreational vehicles without a valid on-street parking permit to further improve safety on public streets.
Under Chapter 56, under the regulatory authority of Code Enforcement, vehicles are declared a nuisance when parked on unimproved surfaces, create sidewalk encroachments, create an obstruction, are covered with a tarp, are placed for sale on the property, or are abandoned, junked, or inoperable vehicles. In addition, Chapter 56 requires the maintenance of improved parking surfaces and prohibits unscreened outside storage, which broadly includes the storage, collection, or safekeeping of any goods, materials, products, appliances, equipment, or containers when sometimes kept on unenclosed trailers or trucks.
Although, Chapter 82 provides the City with the authority to regulate parking and commercial vehicles on public street, alleys and public property, Chapter 56 simply addresses the effects of parked vehicles on private property (obstruction, etc.) and does not clearly regulate if or where oversized vehicles can be parked, without having to employ language in Chapter 82 which prohibits vehicles over 10,000 pounds on residential property.
As proposed, the draft ordinance to Chapter 56 would (1) prohibit RVs, boats, trailers, or any vehicle in excess of 8 feet in width and 21 feet in length, but would allow vehicles at or under the dimensional thresholds when screened from public right-of-way with appropriate screening in side or rear yards, (2) prohibit any vehicle that exceeds a rated towing capacity of 10,000 pounds or exceeds a 10,000 pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) such as landscape trucks, flatbed truck, medium delivery vans, RVs, dump trucks, medium size cargo vans, medium size delivery trucks, tractor-trailer combinations, and motor coaches/homes, and (3) provide a 12-month; in lieu of the previously proposed 18-month, grace period to allow for compliance with the proposed ordinance.
Upon adoption, staff intend to communicate this change through the Branch Bulletin, Branch Review, social media, and website postings. Code Enforcement staff will also work directly with residents to inform them of the new regulations, including the 12-month grace period, to provide adequate time to comply with the ordinance.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Draft Chapter 56 Parking Regulations Red-Line
2. Presentation