ITEM 5. 8
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT
OCTOBER 14, 2024 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION REGARDING BOAT
PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS ON A CASE -
BY -CASE BASIS
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to Discuss and Provide Staff Direction Regarding Boat Parking On Residential Driveways
On A Case -By -Case Basis
SUMMARY:
During the August 12, 2024 City Council Meeting, Mayor Dhaliwal requested staff bring back to City Council a discussion to address boat parking regulations on a case - by -case basis, providing flexibility for residents with unique property conditions or circumstances.
Tonight' srequested action from Council is to provide direction to staff on the case - by -case criteria to avoid the use of selective enforcement.
BACKGROUND:
The current Lathrop Municipal Code, LMC 17. 76. 020, imposes general restrictions on boat parking within residential areas, typically requiring that boats be stored off -site or in specific areas on private property ( e.g., behind fences or in garages). These regulations have been designed to preserve neighborhood aesthetics, ensure safety, and reduce visual clutter.
Current LMC:
17. 76. 020 Off- street parking facilities required.
A. Definition. A " parking space" shall be an area for the parking of a motor vehicle, plus those additional areas and facilities required to provide for safe access to and from the space. The area set aside to meet these provisions must be useable and accessible for the type of parking need that must be satisfied.
B. Special Limitations and Requirements in Residential Areas.
1. In any residential district, no recreation vehicle, including motor home, camping trailer, boat trailer, boat, pick- upcamper, fifth wheel or dune buggy or utility trailer shall be stored or parked except within an enclosed side or rear yard or within a garage or carport; no semi -truck and trailer, semi -truck, trailer or other truck exceeding one ton of capacity shall be parked within any residential district.
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT PAGE 2
OCTOBER 14, 2024 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION REGARDING BOAT PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL
DRIVEWAYS ON A CASE - BY -CASE BASIS
2. In any residential district, all motor vehicles incapable of movement under their own power, other than in cases of emergency accident or breakdown, shall be stored in an entirely enclosed space, garage or carport. No more than one such vehicle shall be so stored at any time, and no more than one such vehicle shall be allowed to be under repair at any time. Parking on lawns or other areas in front yards, other than on a driveway, is prohibited
Our current procedure:
If a CSO is dispatched to the complaint of any type of trailer, RV, motorhome, semitrailer being stored on the driveway the CSO will do as follows:
1. The CSO will attempt to make contact with the resident to let them know that they cannot store trailers/ RVs in the driveway since it violates LMC 17. 76. 020 B).
2. CSO will give 72 hours for the resident to relocate the trailer.
3. The CSO will follow up and if the trailer is still there, the property owner and resident will both be issued a Notice of Violation. They will be given 7 to 10 days to comply.
4. If not compliance, the resident and/ or property owner will be issued a citation for violating LMC 17. 76. 020( B).
5. The resident/ property owner will continue to be cited until compliance.
If we receive a complaint of an RV/ trailer in the back yard, CSO will:
1. The CSO will inspect property to see if the RV is visible from the right of way. If they can see the RV, they will attempt to make contact with the owner and request to inspect the back yard. RV' s can be stored in the yard but must be stored on an approved surface per LMC 10. 25. 040 Rear yard vehicle parking.
2. The CSO will provide a courtesy notice and follow up within 7 to 10 days.
3. If there is no compliance the resident/ property owner will be then issued a Notice of Violation providing another 7 to 10 days to comply.
4. If still no compliance, the resident/ property owner will be cited for violating LMC 10. 25. 040.
5. The resident/ property owner will continue to be cited until compliance.
There are pros and cons to a case -by -case approach. The pros to a case -by -case approach are:
Ability for the City to consider each property' s unique characteristics and ensure that boat parking is managed in a way that protects neighborhood aesthetics while accommodating the needs of residents.
Property Size and Layout: Larger lots or properties with sufficient setbacks may be able to accommodate boat parking without impacting neighbors.
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT PAGE 3
OCTOBER 14, 2024 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION REGARDING BOAT PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL
DRIVEWAYS ON A CASE - BY -CASE BASIS
Availability of Off -Site Storage: Some residents may not have reasonable access to alternative boat storage and this will provide option for storage on their property.
The issues and concerns that may arise from allowing a case -by -case approach include the following:
Neighborhood Character and Aesthetics: The visual impact of boat parking can vary depending on the surrounding neighborhood. Boat parking is generally prohibited in the front yards by municipalities due to lack of maintenance and being unsightly.
Safety Concerns: Boats parked in the driveway can obstruct sightlines, sidewalks, or emergency vehicle access.
Enforcement: Enforcement becomes selective and this can be problematic as it becomes a subjective determination of what is considered well maintained.
CC& R Conflict: There are neighborhoods within the City that have private CC& R' sthat restrict boat parking in the front yard.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the following actions:
1. City Council to discuss and provide staff direction regarding boat parking on residential driveways on a case -by -case basis
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact to the City of Lathrop.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT PAGE 4
OCTOBER 14, 2024 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION REGARDING BOAT PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL
DRIVEWAYS ON A CASE - BY -CASE BASIS
APPROVALS:
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Chief of Police
Cari Ja s
Finance irector
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Thomas Hedegard Date
Deputy City Manager
Salvador Navarrete
City Attorney
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Stephen J. Salvatore Date
City Manager