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Harrison Township adopts ordinance banning RV street parking and curbing ORV operation on public streets
Summary
The Harrison Township Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance No. 409 on July 28, 2025, prohibiting parking or storage of recreational vehicles on public streets in residential zoning districts and restricting operation of off-road recreation vehicles on township streets; the measure passed unanimously and takes effect 30 days after publication.
The Harrison Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously July 28 to adopt Ordinance No. 409, amending Chapter 86 of the township code to regulate the parking of recreational vehicles and to prohibit the operation of off-road recreation vehicles (ORVs) on public streets.
Trustee Brian Batkins moved to adopt the ordinance and Trustee Dean Olgiati seconded; the roll call recorded AYES from Kenneth Verkest (Supervisor), Adam Wit (Clerk), Lawrence Tomenello (Treasurer), Brian Batkins (Trustee), David Bratto (Trustee), Liza Brown (Trustee) and Dean Olgiati (Trustee). The ordinance will take effect 30 days after publication.
The ordinance creates a “Residential Parking Ordinance” that bars parking or storage of recreational vehicles on public streets, highways, alleys or other public rights-of-way in residential zoning districts. The text lists the vehicle types covered, including boats and trailers, folding tent trailers, motor homes, pickup campers, travel trailers, utility trailers and “any other vehicle which is not licensed for road use which is primarily intended for off-road pleasure activities.”
Ordinance No. 409 also establishes an Off‑Road Recreation Vehicles article that defines ORVs and sets operator restrictions and age/supervision rules. The ordinance references state law for safety‑certificate requirements for minors and includes prohibitions on ORV operation in specified locations, speed and equipment requirements, and noise limits tied to federal standards.
For violations the ordinance prescribes misdemeanor penalties of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both, and authorizes enforcement measures such as appearance tickets and arrest under statutory authority. The ordinance includes a severability clause and repeals conflicting ordinance language.
The board’s adoption follows the public-introduction process; the ordinance was introduced at the July 14 meeting and formal adoption occurred at the July 28 session. The township clerk recorded the ordinance as Ordinance No. 409 on the meeting minutes.
