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Farmers Branch council debates tighter rules on RVs, boats and work trailers; staff to return with more data
Summary
Councilmembers reviewed proposed changes to the city code that would ban many oversized vehicles from front yards unless screened, add definitions and a 12-month grace period, and allow a weekend exception; members asked staff for property counts, task-force findings and options for residents who rely on work vehicles.
Council members discussed proposed amendments to Farmers Branch’s code of ordinances aimed at reducing the visibility of oversized vehicles in residential neighborhoods, and asked staff for more data before taking action.
Staff presented definitions and proposed rules that would prohibit parking recreational vehicles, boats, box trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, certain trailers and vehicles over specified dimensions in front yards unless screened by a six-foot fence. The draft includes a 12-month grace period and a limited exception permitting parking from Fridays after 5 p.m. until Mondays before 8 a.m. for unloading, maintenance or other short-term needs.
Councilwoman Bennett asked whether the width or height standards had changed; staff said the ordinance continues to regulate length and related dimensional thresholds. Several council members, including Councilwoman Gonzales and Councilman Neal, raised concerns about neighborhoods with small lots or homes that lack side- or back-yard access and suggested options such as grandfathering, extended timelines or other accommodations for residents who rely on these vehicles for work.
The mayor said a task force studied the issue and a survey was circulated; he offered to share notes and results with the council. Staff noted the city’s current on-street rules, existing private-property rules in chapter 56 and the on-street chapter 82 provisions that already exempt work trailers under 10,000 gross vehicle pounds. Council members asked staff to research how many properties would be affected and how many vehicles fall under the 10,000-pound exemption.
Staff said the original ordinance was adopted June 16, 1997, and has been amended several times. Council and staff agreed to gather additional research and return the item as an action item at a future meeting rather than adopting changes during the study session.
No vote was taken; staff will compile task-force notes, survey results, affected-property counts and a recommended timeline or grandfathering approach for further council consideration.
