Chapter 83 - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE AND TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS

Footnotes:

--- (1) --- Editor's note— Ord. No. 97-10, §§ 1—17, adopted Nov. 11, 1997, was nonamendatory of the Code; hence, inclusion herein known as Chapter 83 was at the discretion of the editor.

ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL#

Secs. 83-1—83-30. - Reserved.#

ARTICLE II. - LICENSE REQUIREMENTS#

Sec. 83-31. - Definitions.#

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section:

Dependent recreational vehicle or travel trailer means a recreational vehicle or travel trailer which does not have a flush toilet and a bath or shower.

Independent recreational vehicle or travel trailer means a recreational vehicle or travel trailer which has a flush toilet and a bath or shower.

Recreational vehicle or travel trailer means a vehicle or similar portable structure designed for recreational use and travel having no foundation other than wheels, jacks, blocks or skirting, having six hundred (600) square feet or less of enclosed area, and so designed or constructed as to permit occupancy for dwelling or sleeping purposes; provided, however, a mobile home or manufactured home is not a recreational vehicle or travel trailer, and, for purposes of determining the distances specified herein, the term "recreational vehicle and travel trailer" includes any portable, prefabricated, temporary room, commonly called a cabana, that is attached to such recreational vehicle.

Recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer lot means a plot of ground within a recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park designed for the accommodation of one recreational vehicle or travel trailer.

Recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park means any plot of ground upon which one or more recreational vehicles or travel trailers are located, or are occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes during travel, vacation, periods of temporary work such as construction, and other periods of time generally less than twelve (12) months in duration, regardless of whether or not a charge is made for such accommodations.

Natural or artificial barrier means any river, pond, canal, railroad, levee, embankment, fence or hedge.

Park means a recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park; and does not include, permit or authorize mobile home or manufactured homes.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 1, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-32. - Park license required.#

It is unlawful for any person to maintain or operate within the city, any recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park unless such person first obtains a license therefor. A minimum of ten (10) lots shall be required to qualify for a license under this article and no license shall be issued for a recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park unless such park has at least ten (10) lots.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 2, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-33. - License application.#

(a)

Application for a recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park license shall be filed with the city for review and approval by the city council. Applications shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and shall contain the following:

(1)

The name and address of the applicant;

(2)

The location and legal description of the recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park;

(3)

A complete plan of the park showing compliance with this chapter;

(4)

Plans and specifications of all buildings and other improvements constructed, or to be constructed, within the recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park;

(5)

Such further information as may be requested by the city council to enable it to determine if the recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park will comply with the legal requirements.

(b)

The application and all accompanying plans and specifications shall be filed in triplicate.

(c)

The city shall investigate the application, and inspect the proposed plans and specifications. A report shall then be made to the city council concerning such applicant, together with recommendations relating to the issuance of a license. If the recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park will be in compliance with all provisions of this application, and, in the case of proposed parks, make such approval contingent upon the completion of the park according to the plans and specifications submitted with the application.

(d)

At the direction of the city council, the city shall issue the license.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 3, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-34. - Transfer prohibited.#

A license issued pursuant to this article is not transferable.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 4, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-35. - License fee.#

Annual license fees required under this chapter are prescribed in the fee schedule found in Appendix B of this Code.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 5, 11-11-97; Ord. No. 2024-08, § 8, 3-12-24)

Sec. 83-36. - License display and posting.#

The license certificate shall be conspicuously posted in the office of or on the premises of the recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park at all times.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 6, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-37. - License revocation.#

The city may revoke any license issued under this article if any of the provisions of this chapter are violated. However, before such license may be revoked, the city must give ten (10) days notice to the holder of such license and hold a hearing thereon. After such license has been revoked, the license may be reissued if the reasons for such revocation have been duly corrected.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 7, 11-11-97)

Secs. 83-38—83-50. - Reserved.#

ARTICLE III. - PARK PLAN REQUIREMENTS#

Sec. 83-51. - Park plan requirements.#

The recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park shall conform to the following requirements: (1)

The park shall be located on a well drained site, properly graded to insure rapid drainage and freedom from stagnant pools of water, in compliance with the city's subdivision drainage requirements.

(2)

Recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer lots shall be provided, consisting of a minimum of two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet for each lot, which shall be at least thirty-five (35) feet wide and clearly defined. Recreational vehicles or travel trailers shall be so harbored on each lot that there shall be at least a twenty-five (25) foot clearance between recreational vehicles or travel trailers; provided, however, with respect to recreational vehicles or travel trailers parked end-to-end, the end-to-end clearance between the same may be less than twenty-five (25) feet, but not less than ten (10) feet. No recreational vehicle or travel trailer shall be located closer than ten (10) feet from any building within the park or from any property line bounding the park.

(3)

All recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer lots shall abut upon a driveway of not less than thirty-six (36) feet in width which shall have unobstructed access to a public street, alley or highway. All driveways shall be hard surfaced, well marked in the daytime, and lighted at night. The minimum quality of such driveway surfacing shall be a two-course hot top surface.

(4)

Walkways not less than forty-four (44) inches wide shall be provided from the recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer lots to the service building.

(5)

Separate restroom and shower facilities shall be provided within the park for men and women. Such restroom and shower facilities shall be designed, constructed and maintained in compliance with the city building codes and ordinances and centrally and conveniently located within the park. A minimum of two showers, lavatories and commodes shall be included in each restroom and shower facility building for each sex. One additional shower, lavatory and commode (hereinafter collectively "unit") shall be added to each such men's and women's facility for each additional increment of fifteen (15) pad sites or lots, or fraction thereof, in excess of twenty-five (25) pad sites or lots within the park. For example, the minimum facilities shall be required for any park with twenty-five (25) or less pad sites or lots; one additional unit shall be required for parks that have twenty-six (26) to forty (40) pad sites or lots; two (2) additional units will be required for parks having forty-one (41) to sixty (60) pad sites or lots; and three (3) additional units will be required for parks having sixty-one (61) to seventy-five (75) pad sites or lots.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 8, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-52. - Location of parks.#

Recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer parks may be located only in conformity with the comprehensive zoning ordinance of the city, and, in addition to the requirements contained therein, unless the park is separated from neighboring properties by a natural or artificial barrier, each boundary of the park must have a solid barrier wall or fence of at least six (6) feet in height; no lot or boundary line of any space or lot within the park shall be closer than twenty-five (25) feet to such barrier wall or fence; and the twenty-five foot area shall be required to be maintained as a clear zone at all times. The provisions of this section do not apply to recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer parks already in existence and operation at the time of passage of the ordinance, and such existing operating parks are treated as a nonconforming use insofar as the requirements of this section are concerned.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 9, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-53. - Maintenance.#

Every person owning or operating a recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park shall maintain such park, and any facilities, fixtures and permanent equipment in connection therewith, in a clean and sanitary condition and shall maintain such equipment in a state of good repair.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 10, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-54. - Utility connections.#

All recreational vehicles shall be properly connected to an approved water, sewer and electrical system in accordance with city specifications.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 11, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-55. - Cooking and heating fuel.#

Bottled gas for cooking purposes shall not be used at individual recreational vehicles or travel trailer lots unless the containers are properly connected by copper or other suitable tubing. Bottled gas cylinders shall be securely fastened in place. Bottled gas shall be located in a recreational vehicle or travel trailer, and outside such vehicle, in compliance with state regulations. State and local regulations applicable to the handling of bottled gas and fuel oil must be followed.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 11, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-56. - Office building.#

Each recreational vehicle and/or travel trailer park shall be provided with a building to be known as the office in which shall be kept copies of all records pertaining to the management and supervision of the park, as well as all rules and regulations of the park; such records, rules and regulations to be available for inspection by law enforcement officers, public health officials and other officials and other officials whose duties necessitate acquisition of the information contained therein.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 13, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-57. - Park rules and regulations.#

It is the duty of the owner, agent, representative or manager to prescribe rules and regulations for the management of the park, to make adequate provisions for the enforcement of such rules and to subscribe to all subsequent rules and regulations which may be adopted for the management of such park. Copies of all such rules and regulations shall be furnished to the city. In addition thereto, it is the duty of the owner, agent, representative or manager to comply strictly with the following: (1)

Provide for regular inspection of the water and sanitary conveniences;

(2)

Provide for the collection and removal of garbage and waste material; and

(3)

Provide for the concealment or storage of unsightly material or used vehicles of any kind;

(4)

Not allow any recreational vehicle, travel trailer or other structure not in compliance with this chapter to be or remain in the park; and

(5)

Not allow, suffer or permit any person to occupy any lot, plot or parcel for sleeping, eating and living purposes other than for interim or temporary periods of time that are generally less than twelve (12) months in duration.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 14, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-58. - Stormwater requirements.#

(a)

Facility design requirements. Storm drainage facilities should be designed in compliance with the provisions of the drainage criteria manuals, regulations and ordinances of the city, as amended from time to time ("drainage criteria manual").

(b)

Drainage and storm sewers.

(1)

Adequate drainage shall be provided within the limits of the property. The protection of adjoining property from any increase in runoff is mandatory. The city reserves the right to eliminate the detention requirement for properties adjacent to major rivers when in the judgement of the city such elimination would result in a decrease in the peak flood flow.

(2)

Drainage and storm sewer plans shall be certified by a registered professional engineer and approved by the city. Review and approval shall in no manner make the city liable for defects in such plans. Criteria established in the drainage criteria manual and good engineering practices will be used for all calculations relative to rainfall runoff quantities, and the design of channels, culverts, storm sewers and detention facilities. The owners of the tracts upon which are located such easements, appurtenances and detention facilities shall maintain same and be responsible for their upkeep. Notice of such duty to maintain shall be shown on the plats.

(c)

Drainage and storm sewer plans. Construction plans for streets and utility installation required by the city shall include drainage and storm sewer plans prepared by a registered professional engineer which shall be reviewed and approved by the city prior to such construction. The city shall make inspections as are deemed necessary to assure proper installation. Neither the review nor approval of such plans nor the inspection of the completed work will create any liability on the part of the city.

(d)

Plan approval. Plans for proposed drainage facilities shall be submitted to the city for acceptance prior to construction. Further, computations for all drainage related design shall be submitted with the plans for review. Data submitted shall include a drainage area map, a summary of methodology employed and resulting data, land use and runoff coefficient assumptions and other pertinent hydrologic and hydraulic data. Certification shall be submitted by the design engineer that the plans and computations are in compliance with the requirements of this policy and the drainage criteria manual. Following construction, but prior to acceptance of improvements by the city, the design engineer shall furnish certification that based upon his periodic inspection of the work all improvements, including those covered by this chapter, have been constructed in compliance with the city's requirements.

(e)

Site drainage plan. Plans submitted for utility permits other than for those projects already in compliance with this chapter shall include a site drainage plan showing the necessary drainage related facilities designed and provided for in compliance with this policy and the drainage criteria manual. Such plans and design calculations for all drainage facilities shall be submitted to the city for acceptance prior to issuance of the utility permit. The design engineer shall certify that the plans and calculations for all drainage facilities are in compliance with the policies and criteria of the city.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 15, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-59. - Additional requirements.#

The standards set forth in this chapter are not intended to be exhaustive and whenever the city deems it necessary to make additional requirements in order to maximize the effectiveness of the drainage plan in question such requirements may be made. The purpose of those provisions is to enable the city to make additional requirements as necessary in unique or unusual circumstances.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 16, 11-11-97)

Sec. 83-60. - Subdivision provisions not affected.#

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to in any way affect the application of the city subdivision ordinance and such ordinance is intended to and does remain in full force and effect.

(Ord. No. 97-10, § 17, 11-11-97)