Council adopts ordinance easing RV and trailer storage rules after public debate; one councilmember opposes

Battle Ground — The City Council voted 5–1 on April 6 to adopt Ordinance 2026-04, amending municipal code 17.135.150 to relax restrictions on storage of recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers and boats in residential districts.

The ordinance removes a stricter provision that had effectively barred parking in front of the building line in many cases and, as amended during council debate, now allows any number of recreational vehicles to be parked on a legally established driveway while retaining a prohibition on parking in the front yard. Councilmembers also added a scheduled one-year review to assess whether the changes cause unintended impacts.

Why it matters: The item drew more than a dozen public speakers and a broad cross-section of concerns. Several longtime and legacy homeowners said a flat, citywide limit (previously discussed as three units) would be unfair to owners of larger lots or those who rely on trailers for work. Other residents and councilmembers emphasized safety — ensuring vehicles are off the street and do not obstruct sightlines — and consistency of enforcement.

Public testimony: Joshua Nelson, who said he hauls cars for a living, told the council he uses multiple trailers parked on a gravel lot and asked whether the ordinance would threaten his livelihood. “I don’t want to have be put out of work because I can’t park a trailer on my own property that is gravel that I paid for,” Nelson said.

Other speakers raised related concerns: Tony Smiley requested that a boat and its trailer be counted as a single unit, Sharon Murfin urged case-by-case grandfathering for legacy homeowners on larger parcels, and Beth Weston described health and mobility reasons that make her dependent on front-yard parking options.

Council debate and amendments: Discussion centered on two competing priorities: curbing nuisance or safety issues that prompt complaints, and avoiding what several residents called a homeowner-association-style overreach into private property. Councilmember Troy McCoy moved to remove section A of the proposed language; that motion ultimately passed. Councilmembers then debated vehicle limits and driveway language. In a later amendment, the council replaced the phrase limiting “one recreational vehicle” in a driveway with language allowing “any recreational vehicles” on a legally established driveway (intended to allow multiple vehicles where physical lot layout and driveways permit). That amendment carried. The council also approved adding a one-year review of the ordinance to evaluate complaints and impacts after the change is implemented.

Vote: The final roll call on adoption of Ordinance 2026-04 (as amended) was: Councilmember McCoy — Nay; Councilmember Ferrera — Yes; Councilmember Munson — Yes; Councilmember Kuypers — Yes; Deputy Mayor Bale — Yes; Mayor Eric Overholser — Yes. The measure passed, 5–1.

What council directed next: Councilmembers asked staff to treat enforcement as complaint-driven and to monitor the number and type of complaints over the coming year; they also asked staff to report back on enforcement outcomes and whether further changes (including lot-size exemptions or clarifications about gravel pads and driveways) are warranted.

The ordinance: The clerk read the ordinance title as “An ordinance amending Battle Ground Municipal Code Title 17 Zoning Chapter 17.135 Supplementary Regulations for Specific Uses Section 17.135.150 Trailer and Boat Storage in Residential Districts,” and it was adopted as amended. The council scheduled a one-year review to allow the city to evaluate whether public-safety or neighborhood impacts require additional rulemaking.

Practical effect: As amended, the city will allow RVs and trailers to be parked on legally established driveways without a fixed numeric cap set by this ordinance, while maintaining a prohibition on parking in the front yard (non-driveway areas). The city’s code enforcement process remains complaint-driven; residents with specific situations were encouraged to consult planning and code staff about driveway standards and whether a gravel pad qualifies as an approved driveway.

Next steps: Staff will monitor complaints and return with a report at the one-year review. Any further code changes would require council action at a later public meeting.