Memorandum Lincoln Center II 2514 South 102 nd Street, Suite 278 West Allis, WI 53227 (414) 336-7900 www.foth.com July 26, 2017 TO: CC: FR: RE: Village of Windsor Board Robert Wipperfurth, Tina Butteris, Connie Anderson Jamie Rybarczyk, Shaun Mularkey, Amy Anderson Schweppe Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking Ordinance Considerations Due to recent concerns related to parking of recreational vehicles (RVs) on private property within the Village, we were asked to prepare a memo related to considerations for potential ordinance revisions. Considerations for potential ordinance revisions for regulating RVs may include: Restrictions based on weight, length, classification/type of RV, or a combination; Restrictions based on the size of property; Limits on the duration of parking; Requirements for location and screening of parked RVs; Thresholds as a permitted vs a conditional use; Special/collector vehicle exemptions - removal; and HOA Covenants that are more restrictive apply. RV parking is referenced in the Chapter 52 (Zoning) and in Chapter 48 (Traffic and Motor Vehicles). Provisions in Chapter 52 apply to parking on private property, while Chapter 48 applies to parking on Village roads. Language relating to regulating based on weight, length, classification/type, etc. should be consistent between the two sections. The pertinent ordinance language from Chapter 52 and 48 is below: Sec. 52-22(8). Parking and storage of trucks, buses and special vehicles. (a) In the residential and agricultural districts where the lot contains a residence, motor vehicles used for personal transportation and recreational vehicles and trailers owned by a person residing on the premises may be parked or stored, provided that the gross vehicle weight shall not exceed 12,000 pounds. (b) In the residential, RE-1, A-BA, and C-1 districts, only motor vehicles that are accessory to a permitted and principal use on any lot may be stored or parked. 1
(c) Any automobile licensed as an antique or special interest vehicle under Wis. Stats. 341.266, or parts cars therefore, can be stored on a lot in any district provided that such vehicle is stored in such a manner that it does not constitute a health hazard and is screened from ordinary public view by means of a fence, rapidly growing trees, shrubbery or other appropriate means, as required by Wis. Stats. 341.266(4). (d) Farm trucks or trailers licensed under Wis. Stats. 341.26(3) or 341.30, may be parked on lots in agriculture districts. (e) Trucks with gross vehicle weight exceeding 12,000 pounds may be stored or parked only in the C-2 district, except that parking or storage of one truck and one road tractor and its trailer in excess of 12,000 pounds gross vehicle weight shall be permitted in the residential and agricultural districts, subject to the following conditions: 1. The vehicle shall be owned and operated by a person residing on the premises. 2. In the residence districts, the lot area shall be not less than one acre. 3. The vehicle shall not be parked or stored within the required highway or road setback area. 4. The vehicle shall not be parked closer than 300 feet to another residence. 5. Any structure to house the vehicle shall conform to the limits for accessory structures for the lot. 6. Before the vehicle may be parked or stored on the property, a certificate of compliance shall be issued by the zoning administrator. (f) In any district, one school bus driven by a person residing on the premises may be parked provided that in residential districts the minimum lot area for bus parking is one acre. (g) This section does not supersede more restrictive standards as established as part of a declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions recorded with Dane County for a specific subdivision or development. Sec. 48-223. Parking of vehicles over 12,000 pounds or 22 feet restricted. (a) Limited to restricted areas for period not exceeding two hours. No person owning or having control of any truck, truck power unit, tractor, bus, recreation vehicle, motorized recreational camper, or combination of vehicles weighing in excess of 12,000 pounds gross weight, or over 22 feet in length (including accessories, racks, or other physical extensions), or having a height of more than eight feet from the roadway, shall park the same upon any Town road in areas zoned residential or primarily residential in nature for a continuous period exceeding two hours. The Town Board may from time to time designate and redesignate specific truck parking zones. (b) Exception for loading and unloading. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to prohibit the lawful temporary parking of such equipment upon any Town road for the actual loading or unloading of goods, wares or merchandise; provided, however, that "loading" and "unloading," as used in this section, shall be limited to the actual time consumed in such operation. (c) Exception for municipal vehicles. This section does not apply to municipal vehicles. (d) Removal. Any vehicle unlawfully parked under this section may be removed from the road by order of a law enforcement officer, and the expense of so moving and storing 2
such vehicle shall be paid by the owner of said vehicle in addition to the penalties hereafter prescribed. The following is a summary of basic recreational vehicle classification/types for the purpose of discussing possible regulations and limits. Class A Motorhome Complete self-containment, with onboard generator, large water and holding tanks, big batteries and propane supply. AVG Weight: 13,000 to 30,000+ lbs AVG Length: 30 to 45 feet in length Travel Trailer AVG Weight: Generally under 4,000 lbs AVG Length: 10 to 40 feet Class C Motorhome Built on a van or truck chassis. Similar to Class A motorhomes for amenities, but generally on a smaller scale. AVG Weight: 10,000 to 12,000 lbs AVG Length: 20 to 28 feet in length Fifth-wheel Trailer Lightweight: up to 23 feet in length and 8,000 lbs (1/2 ton truck) Midsize: 23 to 30 feet in length and between 8,000 and 10,000 lbs (1/2 to 1 ton truck) Full-size: 30 to 40 feet in length and up to 15,000 lbs or more (1 ton+ truck) Class B Motorhome (Camping Van Conversion) Built on a van chassis with a raised roof. AVG Weight: 6,000 to 8,000 lbs AVG Length: 16 to 23 feet Folding Camping Trailer (Tent Trailer/Pop-Up) AVG Weight: 700 to 3,800 lbs AVG Length: 8 to 16 feet Truck Camper AVG Weight: 1,600 to 4,000 lbs AVG Length: 13 to 21 feet (overall) 3
In addition to the above mentioned, the following is a summary of ordinances regulating recreational vehicles from surrounding communities. (NEXT PAGE) 4
Are there restrictions on Recreational Vehicles, Trailers, Large or Commercial Trucks on private residential lots? Is there a size or length limit? Size or Length? Is there a weight limit? Limit? Is there a quantity limit? Number? Is there a parking area requirement? For example does it need to be on side Is there a screening of house/certain setback from lot requirement? line/ etc. Vegetation/fence? Are there restrictions on Recreational Vehicles, Trailers, Large or Commercial Trucks parking on public streets/time limits, etc? Sun Prairie Waunakee Yes Yes, in performance stds. Area. By size--oversize is 22 ft.; in season restrictions & out of season restrictions. In Season: 2 ft. off sidewalk & off of ROW. Off Season: if over 22 ft., store elsewhere or cond. use permit. 22 ft. Yes, Commercial Vehicles 18 ft (L); 8 ft (H) Not on private property Yes, Commercial Vehicles 12,000 lbs. 4 vehicles, oversize or not Off=season only - on side or behind home & 5ft. setback; needs to be on cement pad Off season only; evergreens, fence or combination of both No, Must be owned by resident/property owner. No part may not extend into R-O-W. No Unanswered Size, height & weight - 22 ft., 10,000 lb.; in season can park on street for small length of time DeForest Yes Unanswered Unanswered 50% more than the dedicated vehicle parking spaces. No part may not extend into R-O-W. Must be paved. If more than 4 spaces, it must be screened Overnight restrictions if more than 10,000 lb.; 16 ft. (L); 8 ft. (H); unless valid permit in place. Verona Yes No No No more than 1 that exceeds 25 ft. If less than 25 ft., can have more Has to be on concrete pad or gravel. If on side of house, 5 ft. setback, if at rear, 10 ft. setback. Yes, either evergreen or solid fence. If evergreen, must be 4' high, if solid fence, must be 6' high. 2 hr. time limit in public ROW. Middleton (city) Yes RV's - 16' long, 5' high, 6' wide No Single or duplex = 1 stored w/o having to be covered/screened At least 2' from side or rear lot line; can't be in front yard. If smaller than RV's mentioned under "Size & Length Limits", it can be parked anywhere except front yard. Yes, If more than one No more than 24 hrs. on street Cottage Grove Yes, in performance stds. In the front, street or side yard, recreational vehicle storage or parking shall be located on a paved (concrete or asphalt) surface, but shall not occupy a required vehicle parking space. No No Fitchburg, city Yes 16'L; 5'H; 6'W No Rear Yard - Maximum of 2 vehicles may be stored outdoor; must be owned by resident/property owner. Only one unless screened 3' side and rear lot line; concrete or asphalt pad; no part may not extend into R-O-W. No Unanswered Side yard & 2ft. From lot line; if smaller than 16"L, 5'high, 6'W, it can be on a rear or side lot, and no setback restrictions Screening is determined by Plan Commission. Yes - Police Dept Regulated