Background

March 9, 2006 — update

The proposed ordinance was withdrawn during a public hearing March 6.

The News-Press newspaper out of Fort Myers reported that about 30 people turned out for the hearing. Councilman Mickey Rosado, who introduced the ordinance in February, said many issues still needed to be addressed.

According to The News-Press, concerns raised during the hearing included:

• the practicality of requiring fences in a hurricane zone;
   
• the possibility of a fire between houses in an RV filled with gas;
   
• the equal treatment for boaters and RV owners. Under existing code, boaters are permitted to park their boat and trailer in their backyard. RVers must find off-site storage unless their RV will fit in a garage or carport.

Cape Coral is located in Lee County in southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers.

Feb. 15, 2006

The city of Cape Coral, Fla., is considering a proposed ordinance that would permit residents to park their RVs on their property, if screening requirements are met.

Existing city code prohibits RV parking on residential property, unless the vehicle is parked in a garage or carport. Residents may obtain a temporary permit to park for three days before and three days after a trip. When hosting a visiting RVer, residents can obtain a 10-day permit to allow the visitor to park on their property.

(Note: City code permits "pop-up" camping trailers, when closed or folded, to be parked in rear yards.)

The proposed ordinance would allow an RV to be parked in a resident’s side yard or rear yard if the vehicle is fenced from view from the street and neighboring properties.

The fence could be made of brick, wood, solid vinyl, or concrete block and stucco and must be 6 feet high. The RV would be permitted to extend above the screen. A house could be used as one wall if the RV is parked next to it.

The proposal also would extend the time residents are allowed to park in their driveway while loading and unloading an RV. The period would be increased from three days to five days, with a free permit needed for the five-day span.

City code allows the parking of boats and boat trailers in rear yards. The proposal would require boat owners to meet the screening requirements.

Status: The ordinance was introduced at the Feb. 21 City Council meeting, and a public hearing set for March 6.

Cape Coral, Florida
www.capecoral.net