The purpose of this article is to provide regulations for the parking of recreational vehicles within residential zones by establishing development standards addressing public safety, screening, neighborhood compatibility, accessibility and security considerations.
(Ord. No. 94-41, § 2, 1-11-95)
"Campers"
means a type of recreational vehicle which includes a chassis-mounted camper having a fixed living module or a pick-up truck having a removable module.
"Motorhome"
means a recreational vehicle which has its own motive power, and contains a living module and a driver compartment within one integral unit.
"Operational"
means capable of being operated in the intended manner and maintaining a valid current license and/or registration.
"Recreational vehicle (RV)"
means a vehicle which has its own motive power, and contains a living module and a driver compartment within one integral unit.
"Trailer"
means a type of recreational vehicle designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle, including, but not limited to, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, telescoping and folding trailers, utility or flat bed trailers, tent trailers, and livestock and horse trailers.
"Watercraft"
means a type of recreational vehicle designed to be used for water-related activities, including, but not limited to, sail boats, power boats, canoes, kayaks and other personal watercraft.
(Ord. No. 94-41, § 2, 1-11-95)
The parking of recreational vehicles when not within a completely enclosed structure is permitted as an accessory use in the residential agriculture (R-A), residential estates (R-E), and single-family residential (R-1) zones, and on a property developed with a single-family residence in the multifamily zones (R-2, R-3 and R-4). Outdoor parking of recreational vehicles shall not be permitted in multifamily zones developed with multifamily residences except on areas of the development site specifically designated for that purpose as part of an approved development plan. Outdoor parking of recreational vehicles shall also be prohibited on properties developed as a planned development or planned unit approval unless approved as part of the original PD or PUA or modified through the public hearing process.
(Ord. No. 94-41, § 2, 1-11-95)
Recreational vehicles may be parked in permitted zones subject to the following development standards:
(a) 
Rear yards. A recreational vehicle may be parked in the rear yard, subject to all of the following:
(1) 
A minimum separation of three feet shall be provided between the recreational vehicle and any wall along habitable portions of the existing structure on the same property containing windows and doors, as determined by the director of community development;
(2) 
The recreational vehicle shall be screened from adjacent properties by means of a five foot-high solid wall or fence and/or vision-obscuring landscaping constructed along the property or setback line or interior of the property, as allowed by the underlying zone; and
(3) 
No recreational vehicle shall be parked in a manner which encroaches in the public right-of-way, unless an encroachment permit is issued by the city engineer. No recreational vehicle shall be parked in a manner which encroaches into any adjacent property unless permission from the property owner is granted.
(b) 
Side yards. A recreational vehicle may be parked in the side yard, subject to all of the following:
(1) 
A minimum three foot-wide area shall be maintained along both side yards at all times to allow emergency access to rear yards; and
(2) 
All other standards required by subsection (a) of this section shall apply.
(c) 
Front yards. A recreational vehicle may be parked in the front yard only on properties where access to feasible parking in the side or rear yard is unavailable, in accordance with all of the following:
(1) 
Driveways.
(A) 
The recreational vehicle shall be operational or capable of being operated in the intended manner, as required by the California Vehicle Code;
(B) 
The recreational vehicle shall maintain a minimum 10 foot separation from any door or window in the habitable portions of any residence on an adjacent property; and
(C) 
The recreational vehicle shall be parked perpendicular to the street, except that recreational vehicles may be parked parallel to the street when the garage door on the same property is oriented perpendicular to the street, or when a circular driveway exists with adequate driveway separation, as determined by the city engineer.
(2) 
Parking not in driveway. RV parking in the front yard other than the driveway may be permitted only if conforming driveway parking is not available. In addition to standards required in subdivision (1) of this subsection, all of the following standards shall be required:
(A) 
No more than 50% of the required front setback area including the driveway shall be used for vehicle parking.
(B) 
Recreational vehicles shall only be parked on a prepared surface such as concrete, asphalt or paver blocks. Parking of recreational vehicles in landscaped areas is prohibited.
(C) 
Recreational vehicles parked perpendicular to the street in the area defined by a continuation of the side setback shall provide a three foot-high solid wall or fence and/or vision-obscuring landscaping along the side property line.
(D) 
The recreational vehicle shall maintain a minimum setback distance of 10 feet measured from the back of the sidewalk, or face of curb in locations where a sidewalk is not required, for sight visibility purposes.
(E) 
On properties where the recreational vehicle cannot be parked in the driveway or in a perpendicular manner in accordance with the development standards, the recreational vehicle may be parked parallel to the street which provides driveway access in the R-1-6, R-1-7 and R-1-8 zones only, subject to approval of an administrative permit approved by the director of community development. The administrative permit shall include conditions requiring a three foot-high wall or fence and/or vision-obscuring landscaping provided along the street side parallel to and along the entire length of the recreational vehicle; additionally, the sight visibility setback may be reduced by up to 20% upon approval by the city engineer.
(Ord. No. 94-41, § 2, 1-11-95; Ord. No. 2018-07R, § 7, 4-18-18)