Chapter 20.90
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Sections:
20.90.020 Parking of boats, recreational vehicles and trailers.
20.90.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
A. “Boat” means any water vessel designed to carry persons and/or property upon water, propelled by engine, oars or sail.
B. “Manufactured/mobile home community” means any real property which is rented or held out for rent to others for the placement of two or more mobile homes, manufactured homes, or park models for the primary purpose of production of income, except where such real property is rented or held out for rent for seasonal recreational purpose only and is not intended for year-round occupancy.
C. “Recreational vehicle” means a vehicular-type unit primarily designed for recreational camping or travel use that has its own motive power or is mounted on or towed by another vehicle. The units include travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, folding camping trailers, truck campers, and motor homes.
D. “Trailer” means a unit without its own motive power, designed to carry property, designed to be towed by a motor vehicle, including semi-trailer.
E. “Recreational vehicle park/campground” means any tract of land divided into lots or spaces, under the ownership or management of one person, firm or corporation for the purpose of locating three or more recreational vehicles for nightly or short-term use. Said campground shall have an on-site caretaker. (Ord. 2006 § 5, 2019).
20.90.020 Parking of boats, recreational vehicles and trailers.
It is unlawful to park or stand any trailer, recreational vehicle or boat, or use or occupy same while so parked or standing, on any tract of ground except as provided in this section.
A. Trailers or recreational vehicles may stand or be parked for an indefinite period in a manufactured/mobile home community; provided, that the following conditions are met:
1. The trailer or recreational vehicle is lawfully connected to water, electricity, and sewer, which shall be either a sanitary sewer system or a septic system approved by the Tacoma-Pierce County or King County Health Departments; and
2. The trailer or recreational vehicle contains at least one internal toilet and at least one internal shower; provided, that if this requirement is not met, a manufactured/mobile home community must provide toilets and showers in lieu of having the facilities within the trailer or recreational vehicle.
B. No trailer, recreational vehicle or boat shall stand or be parked on any street, right-of-way, alley or public place in Pacific for a period exceeding 72 hours, and shall not stand or be parked for any period of time between sunset and sunrise in any city park or upon any other city-owned property, excluding a street or right-of-way unless it is for a city-sponsored activity.
C. A trailer, recreational vehicle or boat may stand or be parked and used or occupied on the premises of any occupied dwelling with the permission of the lawful occupant thereof or in a recreational vehicle park/campground for a period not to exceed 30 days within a six-month period; provided, that such use or occupancy does not create a public health hazard or nuisance. There shall be a minimum of 30 days between such use of the property.
D. After a building permit for a single-family home has been issued and the residence is in the process of being constructed, a trailer or recreational vehicle may stand or be parked for the temporary use by the owner of such property as a residence upon approval of a temporary use permit subject to the requirements of Chapter 16.100 PMC and the following requirements:
1. The trailer or recreational vehicle remains mobile; and
2. The minimum setback requirements for the zoning district in which the unit is to be located are met; and
3. The unit is connected to sewer or a Tacoma-Pierce County or King County Health Department approved septic system, water, and electricity.
4. Occupancy of the recreational vehicle shall cease within 30 days of issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the construction or reconstruction of the primary dwelling unit at the property.
5. The recreational vehicle may be located within the required front yard setback but may not obstruct sight distance at driveways and intersections. The recreational vehicle may not be in required side or rear yards setbacks.
6. Generators shall not be utilized.
E. Unused and unoccupied trailers, recreational vehicles, or boats may stand or be parked on private property if parked on a hard, drivable, impervious surface which does not exceed the current maximum allowable building lot coverage limitations for the zone in which the property is located. If such trailer, recreational vehicle or boat stands or is parked along the side of or in the rear of a residence, it must be adequately screened from adjoining properties and from the view of the right-of-way. Unused and unoccupied trailers, recreational vehicles, or boats in the front yard shall not obstruct the sidewalk or the sight distance triangle at a road intersection.
F. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to unoccupied trailers, recreational vehicles, or boats that stand or are parked in sales lots, or within public or private garages. (Ord. 2006 § 5, 2019).
20.90.030 Storage provisions.
Trailers, recreational vehicles and boats shall be suitably blocked to prevent rolling in either direction and the body firmly supported at four points under the frame as close to the extremities thereof as practical. Truck campers, when not mounted, shall be stored supported on four firm supports placed under the frame as close to the extremities as practical and designed to elevate the main floor not more than 24 inches from the ground, to be measured at center point of the truck camper. (Ord. 2006 § 5, 2019).