Molalla staff weigh tighter rules for on‑street RV and trailer parking

Code Compliance Specialist Kyle Murphy told the Planning Commission on May 7 that the city’s current on‑street parking standard for recreational vehicles, trailers and boats is complaint‑driven and creates enforcement challenges.

"Staff were directed by the city council to address on‑street storage of ... camper trailers and recreational vehicles," Murphy said, describing the status quo as a 72‑hour limit for on‑street parking with a 10‑day exception per calendar year in front of one’s residence and a temporary extended‑stay permit option. He said the 10‑day exception "creates an administrative burden" for enforcement because proving continuous presence for that long can require repeated photographic evidence.

Commissioners and other participants pressed for clarity on how enforcement would work. Murphy described typical evidence-gathering as photographing a vehicle and, when complaints persist, returning to document continued presence. He noted the city can issue a temporary permit that allows an extended stay — "They can stay for 30 days with the permit," Murphy said — and recommended outreach so residents know the permit exists.

Several commissioners and members of the commission raised neighborhood‑specific concerns. One commissioner suggested that homeowners associations in subdivisions such as Big Meadows and Lexington Estates should handle parking enforcement where possible, while others said the city must act when vehicles block sight lines or rights‑of‑way. Commissioners debated whether to treat RVs, trailers and boats as separate categories and asked staff to clarify definitions in the code; Murphy said the current code groups these items under a single definition of "recreational vehicle." Commissioners also discussed whether enforcement should count vehicles that are hooked to a car as parked or in use.

Murphy presented options including retaining the 72‑hour rule and removing the 10‑day annual exception, shifting to a shorter numeric standard, or otherwise revising definitions and enforcement approaches to reduce administrative workload. Commissioners expressed support for removing the 10‑day exception and making the rule consistent with other vehicle‑parking language; several recommended more public outreach so residents know about the permit.

Next steps: Murphy said staff will continue to refine ordinance language and bring a map and proposed code changes back to the commission if directed. The commission did not take a formal vote on ordinance language at this meeting.