Belgrade council tightens parking rules, bans long-term trailers in right of way

The Belgrade City Council on an unanimous vote adopted Ordinance 2025-3, amending Title 5, Chapter 4 of the Belgrade City Code to strengthen prohibitions on storing trailers, RVs and similar equipment in public rights of way and to raise select parking-related fees.

City officials said the change is intended to prevent permanent storage of personal property in the public right of way, reduce obstacles for snowplows and improve enforcement. The ordinance clarifies that recreational vehicles, motor homes and trailers may not be used as long-term storage in the right of way and adds language to help code enforcement and police respond when camping appears to be occurring in those vehicles.

Council members and staff framed the update as a response to ongoing complaints about RVs and trailers staying in the same spot for weeks. City Manager Neil (first name used in the meeting) told the council the intent is that the right of way "is not for storage of our personal property," and that the revision gives officers and code enforcement more flexibility to judge whether a trailer is being used for active work or is effectively stored.

Residents who spoke at public hearing offered both support and concerns. Kaylee Parker said she supports "anything that makes it easier on the Belgrade Police Department." Annika, a resident of Las Campanas who described mobility limitations, asked the council to add language or clarifications so that short-term utility trailers used by elderly or disabled residents while organizing multi-person help would not be subject to enforcement. John Hosking asked whether work vehicles and vans with old company logos would be treated as commercial vehicles.

Staff and the police chief said the ordinance retains a 3-day guideline for ordinary vehicles and clarified that commercial vehicles over 18,000 pounds GVW are expressly prohibited from parking in the right of way. The council and chief noted enforcement challenges—particularly the lack of private tow companies willing to follow plows to allow towing—and said the code change is only part of a solution that will require public information and, in some cases, private storage alternatives.

Key changes in the ordinance, as described by staff: - Prohibit storage of trailers, RVs and similar vehicles in the public right of way; allow enforcement when camping or long-term storage is evident. - Add local language addressing parking in front of mailboxes (staff noted federal law governs mail delivery and that local enforcement cannot tow a vehicle that is the owner’s personal vehicle). - Increase municipal parking penalty from $20 to $40 to better recover administrative costs. - Raise the city-owned-lot storage fee from $100 to $175 per month (staff said vehicles are rarely stored on a city lot; tows are typically handled by private lots).

Council member Simon asked whether a property owner who camps every weekend could comply by moving a trailer once during the week; staff replied the ordinance is intended to prevent effectively leaving a trailer stored in the right of way for the majority of the time. The city manager said the code will give officers "common-sense" discretion to distinguish active work use from storage.

The council adopted the ordinance by voice vote; the motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-3 was moved by Council member Minicucci and seconded by Council member Madamois (movers as recorded at the meeting). No council member voted in opposition.

The ordinance also directs staff to produce public information clarifying how to identify the right of way in parts of town without curb and sidewalk (staff suggested using fire hydrants as a visual guide).

The council will implement the ordinance through standard code-enforcement procedures; staff said they will monitor enforcement impacts on elderly and disabled residents and consider clarifying language if needed.

Ending — The ordinance passed unanimously; staff and the police chief said they will follow up with public outreach and look for practical enforcement solutions (including addressing tow availability) before ramping up citations.