Restriction of RV parking possible

The County of San Diego will explore the possibility of prohibiting recreational vehicles from being parked on residential streets.

On December 7 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors directed the county’s Chief Administrative Officer to research the feasibility of amending the county’s Code of Regulatory Ordinances, which currently prohibits the parking or standing in residential areas of commercial vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds, to apply that prohibition to any vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or more. The CAO was also directed to research the process in which state regulations addressing the parking or standing of recreational vehicles on residential streets was implemented.

“We’re just trying to address a problem that’s come up, and nothing’s been decided,” said John Snyder, the director of the county’s Department of Public Works.

The California Highway Patrol and county staff frequently receive citizen complaints about recreational vehicle owners who continually store their vehicles on residential streets.

Although vehicles can be cited for parking on the street for more than 72 hours, some vehicles are continuously being relocated to avoid citations for exceeding the 72-hour maximum. Many of the RVs are parked long-term in front of residences, some of which are not necessarily the RV owner’s residence, and some RV owners have even noted that paying the $50 citation is less expensive than paying a monthly storage fee.

Many of the recreational vehicles have the same wheelbase size as commercial vehicles, cause sight obstructions and force vehicles to cross over center lines. Section 72.126 of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances prohibits the parking or standing on residential streets of commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more while making exceptions for loading or unloading property, being parked in conjunction with performing a service to or on a property or being engaged in work involving utility facilities. An exception is also allowed if the residential area contains property used for commercial or industrial purposes and the vehicle is parked on that property or on the highway contiguous to that property, and case-by-case exceptions can also be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The matter was brought to the county’s Traffic Advisory Committee, which discussed the issue on October 7. Although the TAC was supportive of residents adversely affected, it noted that the California Vehicle Code does not grant the Board of Supervisors authority to restrict the parking of certain vehicles. It was also noted, however, that several cities have been successful in establishing regulations addressing parked recreational vehicles, although the Vehicle Code grants cities authority over certain matters which are not granted to unincorporated areas. The TAC also noted that the California Highway Patrol is the appropriate agency to take a statewide role in presenting the matter to the state legislature. Department of Public Works staff indicated a desire to research the process by which the state regulations were implemented.

The TAC’s October 7 meeting also recommended that two Fallbrook road segments be re-certified for radar enforcement, and the supervisors ratified those recommendations December 7. The 45 mph speed limit on Winter Haven Road was re-certified for the 0.7-mile portion between Mission Road and Brooke Road, and the 45 mph speed limit on Reche Road was re-certified for the 1.2-mile segment between Stage Coach Lane and Live Oak Park Road.