Council sets April 6 public hearing after long debate on RV, boat and trailer storage rules

The Battle Ground City Council voted unanimously March 2 to set a public hearing for April 6 on Ordinance 2026‑04, a proposed change to municipal code 17.135.150 that would define and restrict storage of recreational vehicles, trailers and boats in residential districts.

Council members heard a staff presentation from Lieutenant Jim Keller explaining that the draft ordinance would define recreational vehicles and trailers (including travel trailers, folding tent trailers, motor homes, truck campers, horse trailers and boat trailers) and set conditions for off‑street storage. The draft limits outdoor storage to no more than three recreational vehicles or trailers on a single‑family lot, allows one RV or trailer on a legally established driveway, requires vehicles be licensed and registered, and forbids parking in the front yard except on driveways. Keller also noted driveway must be a permanent surface such as asphalt, concrete, brick or masonry.

The bulk of council discussion focused on practical enforcement and exceptions. Council Member Ferrer and others questioned how officers could verify license and registration when vehicles sit behind gates, and whether the fixed number (three) would unfairly restrict owners of larger lots. Multiple members flagged the city’s existing second‑driveway and curb‑cut rules, which require a road modification to add another access and are often difficult for a typical single‑family homeowner to obtain. "You can't just say, 'If you got the room, do whatever you want,'" Council Member Bowman said, noting public‑safety and livability concerns and describing instances where vehicles driven over sidewalks caused damage.

Deputy Mayor Veil urged staff to explore flexible parking‑pad options adjacent to existing driveways—such as gravel or paver pads that meet the municipal definition of a permanent surface—so property owners without curb cuts have alternatives. Council Member Ferrer suggested lot‑size exemptions (for instance, lots larger than 10,000 square feet or certain zoning categories) and relying on nuisance and junkyard codes to police extreme cases.

Mayor Eric Overberholzer said tonight’s vote was to set the hearing and that the council will consider further direction and language changes before taking final action. Council Member McCoy moved to set the public hearing for April 6; the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will incorporate council feedback into revised ordinance language for the April 6 public hearing and collect public comment before the council considers adoption.