Lynn Haven commission amends RV parking rule, sets 10-foot option for properties without driveways

The Lynn Haven City Commission on July (date in meeting record) approved an amendment to Ordinance 11‑77 that narrows how officers and code enforcement officials measure where recreational vehicles may be parked on residential lots.

The change, moved by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Tender, directs that RVs must be kept entirely within the backyard, side yard or driveway and must not block public sidewalks. For homeowners without a driveway, the amendment allows parking up to but no closer than 10 feet from the edge of the roadway so long as the vehicle does not cover utility access points. The motion passed on a 3–2 roll call (Ward: yes; Tender: yes; Purnell: no; Peebles: yes; Mayor Nelson: no). City staff said the ordinance will still require two readings and review by the planning board before becoming final.

The amendment followed an hour of public comment during which dozens of residents described confusion over how the city had been measuring public right-of-way and asked for clearer, consistently enforceable rules. Several citizens who said they had received notices of violation urged the commission to add grandfathering or additional time. "We are being told we would be fined $250 a day," said Sherry Hernandez, a longtime Lynn Haven resident and retired police officer, describing the letter she received and the financial strain of finding off-site storage. Hernandez told commissioners that monthly storage costs start at about $250 and that building an enclosed outdoor storage area would cost about $15,000.

City Attorney (name not specified) told the commission the ordinance as written is legally sound but that the concerns raised were largely enforcement questions. "A notice of violation is just a notice," the attorney said, explaining that a citation — and any penalties — require additional steps under the city's code-enforcement process and that staff typically grants requests for compliance extensions. Lynn Haven Police Chief Ramey and code enforcement staff said they have been offering extensions and working with property owners after issuing notices. Chief Ramey told the commission that in many cases outreach has achieved compliance without magistrate hearings.

Commissioner Peebles, who sponsored the original change to expand where RVs could be located, acknowledged the confusion created by using visible features such as water meters as measuring points. "In a vacuum, water meters make sense," Peebles said, "but there are enough exceptions that we need a footage rule so enforcement is consistent." Several residents and commissioners argued that mapping measurements to sidewalks or a fixed footage from the roadway would be simpler for both residents and enforcement.

Supporters of the amendment said it provides clearer, measurable standards and addresses safety concerns about sightlines when drivers back from driveways. Opponents said the city should allow more time to see whether the original ordinance solves the problem and cautioned against rapid changes that could create more exceptions and enforcement complexity.

The commission and staff also noted that Florida law already prohibits parking that obstructs sidewalks; the city will reference the state statute in the ordinance language and in enforcement guidance. City Attorney (name not specified) recommended allowing the ordinance to operate for several months to assess real-world impacts before broader code rewrites. Commissioners responded that the amendment was intended to reduce confusion and that staff would continue to use discretion and grant extensions where warranted.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda — The commission approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting on a unanimous roll call. Items listed in the agenda approval included adoption of minutes for the June 24 meeting; approval of a residential incentive program application for a development at 863 East Twelfth Street; authorization for the mayor to sign Amendment No. 3 to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) agreement; and declaration of several city assets as surplus for auction. Motion on the consent agenda was made by Commissioner Purnell and seconded by Commissioner Peebles; the city manager called the vote and it passed unanimously.

What happens next — The amended text approved by today’s vote must return for a formal second reading and be considered by the planning board before final adoption. Meanwhile city staff said they will continue to process notices, grant reasonable extensions where requested and update public information on the city website so residents can find the finalized guidance.