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Trustees debate whether to ease rules on RVs and trailers in residential areas
Summary
Staff proposed clarifications for RV and trailer storage—allowing paver-block storage, limiting to one stored RV or trailer, permitting certain trailer types up to 5,000 lbs and keeping a rear-yard requirement—but trustees voiced concerns about narrow lots, enforcement practicality and whether RVs and trailers should be regulated identically; staff will return with recommendations.
Colleen Malick, senior planner, outlined proposed clarifications to how recreational vehicles and commercial trailers are regulated in residential districts. Key elements of the draft include a revised RV definition, allowance for storage on individual paver blocks instead of full poured pads, a limit of one stored RV or one trailer outdoors per property, and a rear-yard storage requirement that prohibits crossing public rights-of-way to access back yards.
Malick said the draft also creates a new trailer-specific section and defines allowable trailer types and plates, with a weight cap of up to 5,000 pounds for permitted trailers. The draft includes an overall maximum RV length (trustees referenced a 32-foot number during discussion) and diagrams showing permitted locations.
Trustees reacted with practical concerns. Several noted many older or narrow lots cannot physically store an RV behind the house and asked whether the driveway could remain an option in those cases or whether the code should allow limited exceptions or variances. Some trustees argued trailers and RVs differ substantially in appearance and impact; others said classifying them the same might simplify enforcement. One trustee warned about enforcement complexity if the ordinance included many small size tiers.
Trustees requested staff return with examples from nearby municipalities, recommended draft language, and enforcement suggestions before the board takes final action. Malick and staff said they would prepare suggested edits and send them to trustees for individual feedback.
