St. Albans mayor: council to vote on revised front‑yard, RV and boat rules

Mayor Scott James said the City of St. Albans is preparing for a City Council vote on an ordinance that would tighten rules about recreational equipment, boats and recreational vehicles in residential front yards.

The mayor said Planning & Zoning had advanced the change and that the measure addresses inconsistencies in the current code that simultaneously allowed parking on paved surfaces but included a 15‑foot setback in a different section. Under the proposed change, paved parking in front of a house would be allowed only with a four‑foot setback from the property line, he said. "If you interfere with the sidewalk it ain't gonna fly," James said, adding that sidewalk obstruction would not be permitted.

The city is also emphasizing long‑standing rules that prohibit parking on grass. "One thing you're not gonna do in St. Albans as long as I'm mayor is you're not gonna park on the grass," James said, noting enforcement starts with letters and can escalate to court citation if property owners do not comply.

Why it matters: The change would alter how residents may store or display equipment in front yards and could affect owners of RVs, boats and large recreational items across neighborhoods. Mayor James said the rule aims to preserve property values and maintain pedestrian access on sidewalks.

Details from the proposal and local debate - Planning & Zoning advanced the measure to City Council; James said he does not vote except to break ties. The council was scheduled to consider the ordinance the night the podcast aired; no final vote outcome was stated in the podcast. - The most significant textual change reported by the mayor is replacing a 15‑foot setback reference with a four‑foot setback for paved parking in front of houses. The podcast did not provide exact ordinance section numbers or the final adopted text. - The mayor described a typical enforcement sequence: work‑with‑resident letters will be issued first; continued noncompliance could result in summons to municipal court and fines.

Points of concern noted in the discussion Residents and officials at Planning & Zoning raised two recurring concerns, as described on the podcast: some lots are not configured to provide the larger setback without obstructing public space, and vehicles parked near the street could raise sight‑distance or safety concerns when pulling into traffic.

What the city said it will do next James said the process will continue through council and that the final interpretation will come from the adopted ordinance text and subsequent enforcement guidance by city staff.

Ending The podcast did not record a final council vote. Residents who plan to buy an RV or boat were advised by the mayor to check city codes or City Hall before purchase. The mayor also referenced neighboring South Charleston as an example of a municipality that limits seasonal street parking of RVs and boats.