Santa Paula, Calif., RV parking

Editor’s note: This report was filed by FMCA member Gerald Olivas, who served on the Santa Paula RV committee.

The City of Santa Paula RV Advisory Committee conducted its second meeting on Thursday, March 8.

Public input was generally in favor of allowing RV parking and storage on residential property, assuming it does not threaten public safety or neighborhood aesthetics. Two persons spoke against allowing RV parking.

The committee passed a motion, by a 3-2 vote, to permit RV parking and storage on residential property with “conforming” and “non-conforming” provisions.

Conditional RV parking and storage was recommended for those unable to meet the conforming requirements. This would be time-limited and fee-based.

The committee's suggestions for conforming RV parking and for non-conforming RV parking are as follows:

Conforming RV parking restricted for RVs less than 8 feet high
RV parking and storage on residential property must conform to city ordinances with regard to safe, clear lines of sight for motorists and public safety.

1. The RV must be parked in a driveway or residential paved area.

2. The form of screening, from public (street) view, must be a maximum of 6 feet high to comply with city code.

3. An approved RV cover must be used.

4. RVs will be permitted to be uncovered only during loading/unloading or maintenance checks or to provide a temporary living space for the property owners or visitors.

Non-conforming RV Parking will be considered for RVs taller than 8 feet
1. The City may permit a non-conforming RV for a period of five to seven years. The permit will be issued through simple application and will carry a fee comparable to that of a low-cost RV storage facility. The fee will be set by city council based on survey of RV storage fees.

2. RV owners must comply with the city ordinance regarding safe, clear line of sight for motorists and public safety.

3. The RV must be parked in a driveway or residential paved area.

4. Screening from public (street) view must be a maximum of 6 feet high to comply with city code.

5. An approved RV cover must be used.

6. RVs will be permitted to be uncovered only during loading/unloading or maintenance checks or to provide a temporary living space for the property owners or visitors.

Other considerations
1. If an RV does not fit behind the safe, line-of-sight triangle areas, the owner may apply for a special permit from the city, and the city will access the safety of the parking situation.

2. The current requirement for screening of RVs in side yards may be waived if an owner receives written consent from the side and rear neighbors.

3. The current requirement for front screening of RVs in side yards will be limited to a maximum of 6 feet high to comply with city code.

These recommendations resemble a grandfather clause or moratorium that would allow current RV owners to keep their RVs parked or stored on their residential property, but with some conditions.

The main concerns are to create a residential RV parking and storage ordinance that will be fair to all Santa Paula citizens.

Council weighs recommendations
Santa Paula City Council reviewed the RV committee recommendations as a main agenda Item at council’s April 2 meeting. A group of RV owners, lead by the two persons who voted against the March 8 committee-approved motion, spoke against adopting the recommendations.

Their primary concerns include the RV height restrictions of 96 inches, mandatory RV covers, the formula for line-of-sight safety triangle, and the setback requirements. The group strongly supports code enforcement for illegal parking, inoperable vehicles and neighborhood eyesore issues. These public comments were acknowledged and accepted by city council.

One council member used the RV committee’s recommendations to provide a 10-point concept that could allow residential RV parking with safety and neighborhood aesthetics a major factor.

Two council members expressed support for a waiver concept, instead of a permit process, for RV owners who require additional parking considerations. Council voted 5-0 to form an ad hoc committee to complete this concept and draft a new RV ordinance.

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The City of Santa Paula Recreational Vehicle Advisory Committee held its first meeting on Feb. 13 to review the city’s RV parking and storage regulations.

The committee's primary goal is to help craft an ordinance that will be fair to all Santa Paula citizens — both RV owners and non-RV owners, said Jerry Olivas, an FMCA member who is serving on the committee.

“The Santa Paula RV parking issues are unique to our community, especially with regard to the lot sizes within each neighborhood and the inherent RV storage restrictions within each lot," he said.

The committee is reviewing the current parking ordinance, paying particular attention to height and size limitations, property setback requirements and residential storage restrictions.

Specific topics the committee will address:

• driveway storage
• size limits
• screening RVs from public view
• storage surface requirements
• number of RVs allowed on a residential lot
• setback allowance for front, side and rear yards
• sleeping restrictions for RVs in residential storage
• street parking restrictions
• “grandfather” clauses allowing current RV owners to continue to park their vehicles on their existing property

Ultimately, the five-member RV parking committee will submit it's recommendations to City Council.

The committee’s next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 8.

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Santa Paula City Council, at its Jan. 2 meeting, voted to appoint a citizens committee to review existing RV parking regulations and the visual impact of RVs in residential neighborhoods.

The RV parking issue surfaced after the city received complaints about protracted RV parking in residential areas. The police then began a crackdown.

FMCA member Gerald Olivas, a Santa Paula resident, volunteered to serve on the committee, although official appointments were not made at the meeting.

City council has discussed banning RV parking in front yards, including driveways, except for a 48-hour period.

Council considered allowing RV parking in the side or rear yards of residential lots, subject to these restrictions:

1. A maximum of one RV would be permitted on a residential property.
2. The vehicle could not exceed a height of 96 inches or a length of 32 feet.
3. The vehicle must maintain a minimum setback of 20 feet from the front property line and 3 feet from the side and rear property lines.

Council requested committee input by the end of March, Oliva told FMCA.

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Santa Paula, Calif., is considering banning RV parking in front yards, except for a 48-hour period. City council may appoint a committee to study the issue before the proposed regulations proceed.

The regulations would prohibit RV parking in any front yard, including any driveway or portion of a driveway within a front yard, for more than 48 hours.

RV parking would be permitted in the side or rear yards of residential lots, subject to these restrictions:

1. A maximum of one RV would be permitted on a residential property.
2. The vehicle could not exceed a height of 96 inches or a length of 32 feet.
3. The vehicle must maintain a minimum setback of 20 feet from the front property line and 3 feet from the side and rear property lines.

RV storage in any nonresidential zone district would be permitted only in approved storage facilities.

Several RV owners who do not have side yard or rear yard access would be subject to the need to store their vehicles at a storage facility.

At the Dec. 4 city council meeting, citizens asked council to revise the proposed regulations. No formal action was taken, but council discussed the formation of a committee to evaluate the parking issue and submit recommendations.

Council is expected to address the issue in January after it sets its goals for the new year.

Santa Paula is located about 51 miles northwest of Los Angeles, in Ventura County.

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City of Santa Paula
www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us