[Ord. No. 121, § 1, 8-20-2001]
The purpose of this article is to:
(1) Promote the public health, safety and general welfare;
(2) Provide for the regulation of the parking and storage of recreational
vehicles, camper enclosures, boats, ATVs, utility trailers, and snowmobiles
in one- and two-family residentially zoned areas;
(4) Maintain unobstructed access to public sidewalks, thoroughfares,
and rights-of-way;
(5) Preserve the residential character of neighborhoods within the township;
(6) Provide access to residential structures in case of police, fire
and health emergencies; and
(7) Control and regulate potential or actual fire hazards.
[Ord. No. 121,
§ 2, 8-20-2001]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ATV
A motor-driven vehicle designed for travel primarily off-road
and restricted from operating on residential streets and highways
as mandated by the Michigan Secretary of State and the department
of natural resources.
BOAT
Any vessel that requires registration from the secretary
of state for traveling in or on water including an unpowered unit,
a powered by oars, paddles, sail or motor, and a raft whether rigid
or inflatable.
CAMPER ENCLOSURE
Any structure or enclosure designed for mounting on a pickup
truck, sport utility vehicle, or truck chassis in such a manner as
will provide temporary sleeping or living quarters for recreational,
camping or travel use.
CORNER LOTS
As a lot or parcel abutting two road rights-of-way or easements.
A lot or parcel bounded on two sides of a curved street, where any
two chords from such curve form an angle of 135° or less shall
also be considered a corner lot. For the purposes of this article,
the front yard shall be considered the yard located between the principal
front of the housing unit and the abutting road right-of-way or road
easement, which is utilized for street addressing (purpose of mailing).
Other yards abutting a road right-of-way or road easement shall be
considered a street-side yard. Recreational unit(s) may be parked
on the side yard of a residence as long as it is not parked closer
than 15 feet of the side yard lot line.
ESTABLISHING DRIVEWAY
A private access intended to serve as ingress and egress
for vehicular traffic between a public right-of-way and other areas
of a site.
FRONT YARD
An open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth
of which is the minimum distance between the front lot line and the
front setback line.
HOMESTEAD
All of an owner's unoccupied property classified as residential
that is adjoining or contiguous to the dwelling subject to ad valorem
taxes and that is owned and occupied as a principal residence by the
owner. Contiguity is not broken by a road or right-of-way.
REAR YARD
An open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth
of which is the minimum distance between the real lot line and the
rear setback line.
RECREATIONAL UNIT
Any recreational vehicle, camper enclosure, boat, ATV, utility
trailer or snowmobile as described in these terms and definitions.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A vehicular unit originally designed, permanently altered,
or in process of alteration, in such a manner as will provide temporary
living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use. A recreational
vehicle may have its own motive power or may be designed to be drawn
by a motor vehicle. The term "recreational vehicle" shall include,
but is not limited to, a motor home, a truck camper, a travel trailer,
a folding camper trailer, a converted van or a converted bus.
RESIDENTIAL AREA
Any one- and two-family residential district as defined in
the zoning ordinance and on zoning maps of the township for single-
and two-family residential purposes. Specifically, "residential area"
shall include those zoning classifications R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C and
R-2.
SETBACKS
Shall be defined as the minimum required distance from the
centerline of a road or from front, side, and rear property lines,
within which no building or structure shall be erected or permanently
maintained. Such required setbacks are defined within the zoning ordinance.
SIDE YARD
An open space extending from the front yard to the rear yard
the width of which is the horizontal distance from the nearest point
of the side lot line to the side setback line.
SNOWMOBILE
A motor-driven vehicle designed for travel primarily on snow
or ice, of a type which utilizes sled-type runners or skis, an endless
belt tread, or any combination of these, or other similar means of
contact with the surface on which it is operated.
UTILITY TRAILER
A vehicle without motive power, designed to be drawn by a
motor vehicle, to be used for carrying property including, but not
limited to, a boat, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile or other equipment
for recreational, camping or travel use.
[Ord. No. 121,
§ 3, 8-20-2001]
No person shall park or store any recreational unit upon public
or private property in a residential area, except in strict conformance
with the conditions set forth in this article.
(1) No recreational unit shall be parked or stored on a residential lot
in the front yard setbacks of any residential property. A recreational
unit it shall be parked or stored, unless otherwise permitted hereafter,
in the following areas:
a. In an enclosed building, such as a garage, or
b. In the rear yard under the following condition: in such cases the
unit(s) shall be parked or stored no closer than three feet from any
window or door of any residential building and does not violate any
township ordinance relating to health and safety standards.
c. In the side yard under the following conditions:
1. Recreation unit(s) may be stored in the yard provided there is a
minimum space of three feet clearance from the dwelling, a minimum
space of one foot clearance from the property line of the adjoining
property and provide a minimum space of three feet clearance from
neighbors dwelling.
2. No part of the recreational unit(s) shall be permitted to extend
beyond the front yard setback.
3. Recreational unit(s) must be located on an apron that consists of
pavement, asphalt or gravel, however such pavement, asphalt or gravel
shall not obstruct the required drainage on site. An apron shall not
exceed 50 feet in length or 10 feet in width.
4. In those cases where an apron currently exists, it shall meet all
requirements of this article.
5. Prior to construction of a storage or parking apron, a permit shall
be obtained from the building department (gravel apron will not require
a permit). A permit shall be issued once it is determined that the
apron complies with applicable setback requirements and engineering
standards.
d. In the case of residential properties, yards abutting navigable waterways
(canals, rivers and lakes) shall be considered the front yard and
yards abutting the road shall be considered a rear yard. This provision
is not intended to supersede other township ordinances.
e. When recreational unit(s) are parked or stored on residential property
abutting navigable waterways (canals, rivers and lakes), it shall
be stored in such a manner so as not to violate any township ordinance
relating to health and safety standards.
f. A property owner may obtain from the township a permit that will
allow for the temporary parking of said recreational unit in the driveway.
The permit will be for a total of seven consecutive days, with a total
of two permits per year, per street address at no charge to the resident.
A permit shall be obtained from the township clerk's department. The
clerk's department shall notify the building and zoning departments
that such permit was granted.
(2) For a period of time commencing upon the date this article is effective
and continuing unit January 1, 2002, a recreational unit may be parked
or stored upon an established driveway in the front yard provided
parking or storage in an enclosed building is not available and there
is no parking or storage space available in the rear yard or side
yard, subject to the following limitations:
a. The recreational unit shall be parked or stored no closer than six
feet from any public sidewalk, or no closer than 10 feet from the
front lot line where no public sidewalk exists.
b. No more than one recreational unit shall be permitted to be parked
or stored upon any established driveway at one time. For purposes
of this limitation, recreational units used in conjunction with one
another, such as a boat mounted on a boat trailer, shall be considered
as one unit.
(3) Parking or storage of recreational units shall be limited to residentially
developed sites or homesteads. Parking or storage shall be limited
to recreational units owned by any of the occupants of such residence.
(4) All recreational units parked or stored outside of a building shall
be kept in a state of proper repair and shall be secured to prevent
unauthorized entry.
(5) No recreational unit shall at any time be used for living or housekeeping
purposes.
(6) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, a
recreational unit(s) may be parked or stored on an established driveway
for a period not to exceed 48 hours for purposes of loading, unloading
and trip preparation.
(7) Except as provided in subparagraph (6), no person shall park or store
any recreational unit upon any public property located in a residential
area, including public streets, stop streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks
and planting areas between sidewalks and curb lines.
[Ord. No. 121,
§ 4, 8-20-2001]
The owners of a recreational unit parked or stored in a residential
area and the owners(s) of such property upon which the recreational
unit is parked or stored shall be responsible for compliance with
the terms of this article. In any proceeding for violation of any
provision of this article based upon recreational unit ownership,
the person or persons to whom the recreational unit is registered,
as determined from the registration plate displayed on such recreational
unit, shall be presumed to be the owner of the recreational unit.
In any proceeding for violation of any provision of this article based
upon property ownership, the person to whom the property assessed
as determined from the most recent tax assessment roll of the township
shall be presumed to be the owner of the property.
[Ord. No. 121,
§ 5, 8-20-2001]
A violation of any of the terms and conditions of this article shall be a municipal civil infraction, which shall be enforced pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of chapter
2 of this Code.