Regulations for Recreational Vehicle and Boat Parking in Grass Valley
In the City of Grass Valley, residents are permitted to store recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats on their property provided the entire vehicle remains within property boundaries and does not extend into the public right-of-way. While standard operable automobiles in regular use may be parked on paved driveways within required setbacks, the long-term storage of trailers, boats, and RVs for more than 72 hours is generally restricted to areas outside of the front and side setbacks of the property [Section 17.36.030.D].
General Rules for RV and Boat Storage
The City of Grass Valley Development Code defines "Vehicle Storage" as the parking of a vehicle on private property for more than 72 hours without operation [Section 17.100.020.V]. For residents living in residential zones, the following standards apply to the storage of recreational equipment:
- Property Boundaries: All portions of the RV, boat, or trailer must be located entirely within the property lines [Section 17.36.030.D.1].
- Public Right-of-Way: No part of the vehicle or boat may extend into or over a public sidewalk, street, or any other public right-of-way [Section 17.36.030.D.1].
- Setback Compliance: Parking and storage must comply with the build-to-line and setback requirements specific to the property's zoning district [Section 17.36.030.D.2].
Parking Within Required Setbacks
In the City of Grass Valley, "setbacks" are the open areas required around structures for visibility, safety, and privacy. The rules regarding what can be parked in these areas differ based on the type of vehicle and the nature of its use.
| Vehicle Type | Allowed in Paved Driveway (Setback) | Allowed for Storage > 72 Hours (Setback) |
|---|---|---|
| Operable Auto/Truck (under 1 ton) | Yes, if in regular use | No |
| Recreational Vehicle (RV) | No (except for temp loading) | No |
| Boats and Campers | No (except for temp loading) | No |
| Trailers and Farm Equipment | No | No |
According to the City of Grass Valley Development Code, no front or side setback area may be used for the parking or storage of any motor vehicle, RV, boat, or trailer, with the sole exception being an operable automobile or truck of one-ton capacity or less that is in regular use and parked within a paved driveway [Section 17.30.030.E.3].
Paving and Surface Requirements
The City of Grass Valley regulates the surfaces upon which vehicles may be placed to prevent dust and maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
- Paving Requirement: No vehicles of any kind shall be parked in the front or street-side setback areas of a single-family dwelling unless they are on a paved driveway [Section 17.34.040.F.5].
- Prohibited Areas: Parking is strictly prohibited in any landscaped areas of the property [Section 17.34.040.F.3].
- Temporary Usage: While a paved driveway in a setback can be used for the temporary parking of motor vehicles, using these areas for the storage of vehicles (exceeding 72 hours without operation) is not allowed [Section 17.34.040.F.4].
Definitions
To properly apply these rules, the City of Grass Valley utilizes the following definitions:
- Recreational Vehicle (RV): A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camp trailer, with or without motive power, designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy that contains less than 320 square feet of internal living area [Section 17.100.020.R].
- Vehicle Storage: A facility or the act of parking a vehicle on private property for more than 72 hours without operation [Section 17.100.020.V].
- Yard: The area between a lot line and a structure, which must remain unobstructed and unoccupied from the ground upward except as specifically permitted [Section 17.100.020.Y].
Sections Cited
- Section 17.30.030 - Build-to-line and setback requirements and exceptions.
- Section 17.34.040 - Landscaping standards.
- Section 17.36.030 - General parking regulations.
- Section 17.100.020 - Definitions of specialized terms and phrases.