Coming this summer: New law for keeping RV, boat at home

Bob Mittlestead keeps his boat parked at a home he owns and his son lives in at 360 Edgebrook Drive. Hearing that new city regulations would soon require boats and recreational vehicles to be parked on paved surfaces, with fences or vegetation to hide them from neighboring homes, Mittlestead's son Brad and his wife installed the brick apron and planted several shrubs to meet the city's requirements.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Bob Mittlestead keeps his boat parked at a home he owns and his son lives in at 360 Edgebrook Drive. Hearing that new city regulations would soon require boats and recreational vehicles to be parked on paved surfaces, with fences or vegetation to hide them from neighboring homes, Mittlestead's son Brad and his wife installed the brick apron and planted several shrubs to meet the city's requirements.

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By Jeremy P. Kelley, Staff Writer 3:04 PM Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The last few hundred Centerville residents who park recreational vehicles on their property under old city rules have until July 15 to meet new standards passed in 2008.

The city has been gradually updating its rules on RV storage for 20 years, but existing owners had been grandfathered in under old rules, a practice that will end this year, according to Jennifer Wilder, assistant to the city manager.

The primary rules in effect for all owners July 15 are that all types of RVs stored outdoors must be parked on a paved surface, must meet size limitations, must be located in a side yard and be screened from neighboring properties by fencing or trees.

The policy affects all types of recreational vehicles, from motor homes, travel trailers and campers, to boats and personal watercraft, to horse trailers or any other utility trailer.

“What we’re trying to get away from is the property maintenance issues of grass growing around cars and RVs, with animals possibly living in the grass underneath,” Wilder said. She said also the paved parking space was important so people do not create large ruts by driving these vehicles through the grass.

No RV larger than 8 feet wide, 12 feet tall or 30 feet long can be parked outdoors on a residential property, regardless of screening. Many newer motor homes exceed the 30-foot limit, and those must be either garaged or stored elsewhere.

“We’re not asking people to build a fortress,” she said of new screening requirements.

“A violation is a minor misdemeanor, but I don’t think you’ll see us issuing citations July 16. We typically try to work with residents.”

Residents with questions can call Centerville city offices at (937) 433-7151.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2278 or jkelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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