Council asks staff to research rules for driveway boat, RV and trailer parking

Port Richey City Council directed staff on Aug. 12 to study possible code changes that would allow regulated parking of boats, recreational vehicles or trailers on residential property (driveways and side yards) while addressing maintenance, visual impacts and sight‑line safety.

City Manager Andrew Butterfield said the Planning & Zoning Board reviewed the topic and made no recommended changes; several council members and residents argued the city should be more permissive for a boating community while also preventing long‑term junk storage. Council discussed options including required covers, annual city permit tags, maintenance standards (inflated tires, no missing parts), and clear setbacks from the street to preserve sight lines.

Why it matters: Port Richey’s location and local lifestyle mean many residents own boats and RVs; council members said they want rules that let people use their property without creating blight or public‑safety hazards. Staff was asked to return with a draft code amendment that balances property‑use flexibility and neighborhood character.

Next steps: staff will research models used by other municipalities (for example, permit/tag programs used at local marinas and nearby cities), draft clear objective criteria (cover standards, active registration, setback and sight‑line rules), and present options for council consideration. Council indicated this could be part of a separate workshop because the topic can be detailed and community‑sensitive.