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Lynn Haven commissioners debate easing RV parking rules, raise enforcement questions
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a revised recreational-vehicle ordinance that would allow RVs to be parked on private property (driveway, side yard or backyard) if they do not occupy the public right-of-way and meet operability and licensing requirements; staff was directed to clarify right-of-way language and enforcement mechanics.
City of Lynn Haven commissioners reviewed a proposed revision to the city's recreational-vehicle ordinance that would allow RVs to be parked on private property'in driveways, side yards or backyards provided the vehicle does not occupy any portion of the public right-of-way, is operable, properly licensed and used for living or sleeping purposes.
The change is meant to simplify the existing rule and respond to frequent resident complaints about RVs blocking sidewalks and pedestrian access. Planning staff told commissioners the draft starts with the current regulation and "allows, in addition to the backyard, RVs ... to be parked in the driveway so long as they're not in any portion of the right of way. They're maintained in an operable condition, and they are properly licensed," language commissioners discussed during the meeting.
Commissioners and staff debated how to define the right-of-way in practice. Planning staff cautioned that right-of-way often extends beyond the paved surface to include sidewalks, ditches or utilities, and that property-by-property plats or easements can vary. One commissioner suggested using a fixed visibility buffer, such as a 10-foot setback from the paved vehicular travel way, to avoid frequent survey disputes; staff suggested referring disputed cases to code enforcement for on-site determination.
Several commissioners raised enforcement concerns and noted that many of the approximately 300 vehicles currently parked in driveways could be affected if the city interprets right-of-way broadly. Commissioners asked staff to clarify whether the draft should keep driveways as an allowed location or limit permitted parking to side yards and backyards to reduce sidewalk obstructions and survey demands.
Direction to staff: refine the ordinance language to define or describe how right-of-way will be measured, consider a specified setback (example discussed: 10 feet from the paved travel way), and return a revised draft for public hearing and formal action. No formal motion or vote on the ordinance was recorded at the pre-commission meeting.
