Panama City approves ordinance loosening rules for RVs and boats on residential lots, adds visibility and setback limits

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — The Panama City Commission on Feb. 25 adopted Ordinance 32-60, a change to the Unified Land Development Code that allows limited recreational vehicle (RV) and boat storage on residential property while adding design and sightline safeguards.

The change came after a second and final public hearing and roughly an hour of public comments and commissioner questions about safety, visibility and neighborhood character. The ordinance passed by a 4-0 roll call vote; Commissioner Street was absent.

City staff told the commission the revision was intended to provide flexibility for residents who already keep RVs and boats at home while preserving pedestrian and driver sight lines. Joanne Haley, planning and zoning division manager in the development services department, summarized the ordinance’s limits: the vehicle may be stored in the front yard if it meets the code’s “required visibility triangle,” is perpendicular to the street (not…