Forth Worth RV parking

Fort Worth, Texas, City Council has approved revisions to an ordinance that bans the parking of large and oversize RVs in front of residentially zoned private property, except on a temporary basis.

According to the ordinance, a large RV is defined as one that is longer than 26 feet but less than 40 feet. An oversize RV is one that exceeds 40 feet in length.

Large and oversize RVs may be parked on residential private property only if they are in a side yard or rear yard and behind a 6-foot screening fence. The vehicles may be parked in a driveway for loading, unloading or maintenance, but only for up to 72 hours during any seven-day period.

Residents who currently own a large RV — one that is between 26 and 40 feet in length — may apply for a nontransferable Continuance Permit, by Oct. 1, 2008. The permit allows continued parking on a driveway if the vehicle is at least 10 feet from the curb or edge of the street. And, the vehicle must not create a visual obstruction for drivers or pedestrians.

Violations of the ordinance are considered criminal offenses and carry a fine of up to $500 a day. In addition, offenders’ vehicles could be towed.

City council approved the ordinance revisions in mid-July, following months of study by city staff and several public meetings.

Fort Worth, Texas, City Council is considering enacting laws that would ban RVs from parking in front of private residences. The proposed changes to the city’s oversize vehicle parking ordinances, as of April 28, 2008, are:

“Large RVs”

RVs longer than 26 feet but less than 40 feet must be kept behind a 6-foot-high screening fence and parked in a side or rear yard. They may be parked on a driveway or other lawful parking area for up to 72 hours in any seven-day period for loading, unloading or maintenance.

Owners of existing Large RVs may obtain a Continuance Permit within 90 days of the ordinance’s effective date. The permit will allow them to park their RVs on a driveway in the front yard, under these conditions:

• the RV is parked 10 feet from the curb or edge of the improved street;
• the RV does not create a vision clearance obstruction to vehicles/pedestrians; and
• the RV and does not interfere with the use of a sidewalk.

The Continuance Permit is for the existing RV only and cannot be transferred to another RV.

“Oversize RVs”

RVs 40 feet long or greater are allowed in a side or rear yard if lawful property improvements currently exist, such as garages and parking pads. The RV must be kept behind a 6-foot-high screening fence.

The new parking laws would take effect 180 days after adoption. The city's current off-street parking ordinance does not regulate RV parking on private property.

The proposed regulations are the city’s response to citizens’ complaints that RVs, when parked in front of homes for months at a time, are eyesores that downgrade property values.

Approximately 365 FMCA member families live in Forth Worth, which is in north Texas.

Forth Worth
www.fortworthgov.org