The Cooper City Planning & Zoning Board unanimously recommended proposed changes to the municipal code governing recreational vehicles and boats during its Oct. 13 meeting, and board members separately urged the commission to consider restricting early construction start times in residential areas.

Staff member Jason said the code amendments follow a public workshop April 22 and a City Commission request. The proposed revisions tighten multiple provisions: they reduce the allowable height for vehicles from 12 feet to 10 feet (excluding HVAC and accessory equipment), strengthen language preventing vehicles from being used as living quarters (including prohibiting sewer and water hookups), and clarify time limits for temporary parking in front yards. Staff also described a future permitting and “call‑in” notification system to help code enforcement manage temporary allowances.

Jason told the board the draft ordinance changes are presented in strike‑through/underline format in the staff packet; redlines show language removed and blue shows inserted language. “Attached behind the staff report, you can actually see the strike through and underlying changes,” Jason said. “Again, you can see a lot of it is changing based off of the time frame, limitations. The overall height is being reduced from 12 to 10.”

After staff presented the draft language, the board moved to recommend the proposed amendments to the City Commission. A motion to approve the language passed unanimously; the board’s recommendation will be transmitted to commission with staff comments for final action.

Separately during the community development report, board members expressed concern about early construction start times in residential neighborhoods. Members noted past instances when work began very early or continued late and discussed directing staff to prepare code language for the board to consider at a future meeting. One board member suggested a 7 a.m. start time should be reexamined and floated a preference for later start times such as 8 a.m. or a 7 a.m.–7 p.m. limit; staff said implementing such a limit would require a formal code text change and offered to draft language for the board to review in November.

Why it matters: The proposed RV/boat code clarifications aim to make enforcement more consistent while preserving limited flexibility for residents; clarifying definitions and tightening hookup prohibitions reduce the risk of long‑term habitation in vehicles. The construction‑hour discussion reflects ongoing board concern about neighborhood quality of life and enforcement practicality.

Next steps: Staff will forward the P&Z recommendation to the City Commission for final consideration and will prepare draft language on construction hours for board review at the November meeting if the board requests it.