Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Molalla council weighs tighter rules for RV and trailer street parking
Summary
City staff presented options to replace the complaint-driven 10-day rule with a shorter, enforceable limit (possible 48'to'72 hours), clarify definitions for cargo/utility trailers, restrict slide-outs and bump-outs, and expand proactive enforcement. Councilors sought clearer language, enforcement approaches and an education period before an ordinance takes effect.
Kyle Murphy, the city's code compliance specialist, presented the staff report on on-street storage, saying the city currently enforces a 72'hour limit for all vehicles and a separate 10'day per calendar year exception for recreational vehicles in front of a resident's home. Murphy told council the 10'day allowance "is a nightmare" to enforce and recommended revising definitions and time limits to reduce administrative burden and improve enforceability.
Councilors discussed options to shorten the allowable parked period and to tie RV parking to a single residence. One councilor argued for a middle ground between 48 and 72 hours, saying "some were like, hey, 48 hours" and noting safety risks when large RVs create blind spots for children. Another councilor said the 10'day rule "creates current ordinance to eliminate the administrative burden" and urged staff to return with clearer language that prevents minor relocations from resetting the parking clock.
The council debated specific measures staff suggested: (1) removing or shrinking the 10'day exception and using a 48'to'72'hour rule; (2) clarifying that cargo or utility trailers are covered in the code; (3) prohibiting extended slide'outs or requiring them to be closed except while actively loading; and (4) limiting large commercial vehicles on residential streets to a short duration. Murphy described common enforcement evidence (time'stamped photos and witness statements) and recommended more proactive monitoring rather than strictly complaint'driven enforcement.
Council members also discussed temporary permits. Staff said the city already offers a temporary extended'stay permit and limit options such as 30'day permits for visiting guests or construction. Several councilors urged an education period before any ordinance takes effect so residents have time to adapt. One suggestion was to adopt the ordinance but delay its effective date 45'90 days for outreach.
Councilors asked staff to draft ordinance language that: defines ‘‘in front of your residence’’ (proximity), prevents short moves from resetting allowed time, ties limits to one trailer per residence, prohibits permanent bump'outs into the right of way, and includes a clear enforcement/evidence standard. Murphy said staff would check existing code sections (obstruction of right of way and sidewalk rules) and return with proposed language and enforcement options.
