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Council signals support to limit visible inoperable vehicles, staff to draft ordinance text
Summary
Staff proposed clarifying the inoperable-vehicle ordinance to require covered or stored disabled vehicles to be kept behind a property’s front elevation (side yard/backyard), not in front yards, to improve neighborhood appearance. Council directed staff to draft text for a future hearing.
Code enforcement staff presented examples of inoperable vehicles being stored under car covers in front yards and recommended a text amendment to the city ordinance clarifying where covered vehicles may be stored. The current ordinance requires disabled vehicles to be stored in an enclosed structure (garage or barn) or otherwise in compliance; staff said car covers have been used to achieve compliance without specifying placement.
The proposed approach discussed by council would allow covered inoperable vehicles to be stored behind the front elevation (side yard or backyard) or in a driveway side of a home, but not visibly in the front yard in front of the primary elevation. Staff explained any vehicle covered must be on the property, maintained (inflated tires, intact cover) and not create a public‑safety hazard.
Council members generally supported drafting a text amendment and asked staff to return with proposed ordinance language and enforceability guidance. Staff said the change should not increase difficulty for existing code enforcement operations but would address neighborhood appearance concerns raised by residents.
