§ 18.64. Storage and Parking of Commercial, Farm, and Recreational Vehicles in Residential Districts.

A.

Location and Duration. For motor homes, travel trailers, folding-type trailers, pickup campers, snowmobiles on trailers, boats and similar and related type units, and other recreational vehicles as defined by this Ordinance, or for farm implements and tractors on sites that are actively being cultivated, the regulations of outside storage on all lots zoned and/or used for residential purposes are as follows:

1.

A total of two (2) but not more than one (1) of each such unit may be stored or parked outside on a lot which is zoned and/or used for residential purposes. The ownership of such units shall be in the name of a member of the immediate family of the lot's owner, tenant, or lessee. However, farm tractors, equipment, and implements may be stored either in an enclosed building or they may be stored outdoors provided that the subject site is being actively cultivated. Further, that restored antique farm equipment is exempt from this subsection if displayed for decorative purposes.

2.

Such units, when stored outside, shall be located in a side or rear yard, except as provided in the case of vacant lots. Such units shall be placed or parked on a lot with a principal building, structure, or use unless it is a lot which is attached to an occupied lot under the same ownership. Such units shall not be closer than ten (10) feet from any structure nor five (5) feet from any lot line, unless otherwise provided by this section.

3.

The combined area covered by the dwelling, accessory buildings, other above-ground structures and swimming pools, and the area covered by the outside storage of such units, may not exceed forty (40) per cent of the total area of the lot.

4.

Recreational vehicles or recreational equipment may be stored, parked, or placed within any front yard or within a public right-of-way whereon street parking is permitted for a period not exceeding forty-eight (48) hours for loading and unloading or in the process of normal maintenance and cleaning.

5.

In the case of corner lots, as defined with two (2) front yards, the regulations of this section shall apply to both front yards. The side yard facing the street will be considered a second front yard.

6.

In the case of through lots, parking shall be permitted in the side yard or in the effective rear yard, as determined by the building inspector, provided the parked vehicle meets the front and side yard principal building setback requirements of the zoning district.

7.

In the case of through lots on a corner (i.e., lots having frontage along three (3) streets), parking shall be allowed only in the side yard. The building inspector may permit parking in the effective rear yard, as noted in subparagraph 6. above, upon determination that such parking is allowed in the adjacent lot.

8.

In the case of lots where the location of the principal structure or site topography prevents access to the side or rear yard, the building inspector may permit parking of recreational vehicles or equipment in a driveway or on a paved parking pad within a front yard for a period of not more than one hundred eighty (180) days in any one (1) calendar year.

9.

None of such units or any recreational equipment parked or stored outside shall be connected to electricity, water, gas, or sanitary facilities for living, lodging, or housekeeping purposes and none of the same shall be used for living, lodging, or housekeeping purposes, unless otherwise approved by the chief of police in cases of emergency.

10.

All recreational equipment and vehicles shall be maintained in good condition, shall be operable and shall have a current license and/or registration.

B.

Prohibited Items. The parking and/or storage of buses, converted buses, and boats in excess of thirty (30) feet in length for a period exceeding forty-eight (48) hours, is prohibited, unless a permit has been issued by the building inspector. Said permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed ten (10) consecutive days out of any ninety (90) days.

C.

Storage on Vacant Lots. Not more than one (1) recreational unit, motor home, travel trailer, pickup camper, folding-type trailer, boat, or similar and related type unit, and other recreational vehicles as defined by this Ordinance, may be parked or stored on a vacant residentially zoned lot, except as otherwise authorized by this Ordinance. When stored on a vacant lot, such unit shall be located only on the rear half of such lot.

D.

Camper Tops. Detachable camper tops shall not be stored in any residential district except in accordance with this section. Further, camper tops that are not installed on a licensed and operable vehicle must be placed on the ground and stabilized.

E.

Handicapped Vehicles/Equipment. A recreational vehicle and/or recreational equipment which is officially designated as handicapped in accordance with state law and which is used as the regular means of transportation by or for handicapped person may be parked within the required setback area.

F.

Commercial Vehicles. It shall be unlawful for the owner, tenant, or lessee of any lot in any residential zoning district to permit the open storage or outdoor parking of semi-tractor (WB-50 or larger) trucks and/or semi-trailers, bulldozers, earth carriers, cranes, or any other similar equipment or machinery, unless parked thereon while in use for approved construction on such lot.

(Ord. No. 2002-8, 8-26-02; Ord. No. 2007-9, 9-24-07)