Panama City commission approves ordinance easing rules for RV and boat storage on residential lots

Panama City commissioners voted 4-0 Feb. 25 to adopt Ordinance 32-60, changing the Unified Land Development Code to allow limited storage of recreational vehicles and boats on residential property under defined conditions.

The ordinance revises section 105-11 and related definitions to permit one recreational vehicle or one boat to be located in a front yard or front parking area provided it does not encroach into the public right of way, meets the code’s visibility-triangle requirements and conforms to side- and rear-setback rules. The change follows planning board review and staff recommendation.

City planning and zoning manager Joanne Haley said the code previously prohibited front-yard storage and the revision is intended to “provide some flexibility.” Haley explained the draft text permits storage in the front yard “provided it can be located in the front yard, except the required visibility triangle,” and noted the ordinance references a code section that outlines what the visibility triangle is and how it must be kept free of obstructions.

During the public hearing, resident Eric Wimberley of 2925 Briarcliff Road urged commissioners to tighten visibility standards, saying, “Tonight, my biggest concern about the RV parking and the new code is a visibility triangle, safety for our children.” He displayed photos showing how a large vehicle could block sight lines for children using the sidewalk.

Russell Reynolds, who identified himself as the owner of an RV parked on Briarcliff Road, pushed back that visual obstruction can be a function of how vehicles are parked. “That is my house. That is my RV,” Reynolds said, adding he was willing to show commissioners comparative photos of neighboring cars that block sidewalks.

Haley and other staff members told the commission the revision limits the location of a permitted vehicle to perpendicular placement to the front lot line and within 15 feet of either a side lot line or one required side yard but not both, and reiterated that parking in the public right of way remains prohibited. Staff said the ordinance also allows storage under a carport but still requires that no portion encroach on the right of way.

Commissioners framed the change as balancing property-owner expectations with safety. After discussion and questions from commissioners about enforcement, sidewalks and the right-of-way prohibition, the commission approved the ordinance unanimously. The ordinance was introduced following prior planning-board review and edits that staff incorporated into the version adopted by the commission.

The commission recorded the vote as 4-0 in favor of Ordinance 32-60, described in the agenda packet as “an ordinance amending the unified land development code section 105-11 providing for major recreational equipment design standards on residential property.”

The ordinance will be codified and carry an effective date as stated in the final adoption language.