It may soon be easier for officers and other city officials to issue parking violations on private property.
On Tuesday, the Columbus City Council gave initial approval to an ordinance amendment regarding parked vehicles, boats, trailers and recreational vehicles.
If final approval is given in December, parking rules and regulations currently found only in the city’s zoning ordinance will also be placed into the municipal code.
“This will allow code enforcement and the police department to resolve issues involving vehicles more quickly,” said Mary Ferdon, the city’s executive director of administration and community development.
Currently, if there is a parking violation only listed in the zoning ordinance, the city must go through a two-to-three month process involving the Board of Zoning Appeals before action can be taken.
But if the amendment receives final approval next month, code enforcement officer Fred Barnett or a law enforcement officer can immediately ticket the individual, Ferdon said.
Many regulations deal specifically with recreational vehicles that include:
RVs cannot be parked without wheels, or be permanently affixed to the ground.
RVs must be stored either behind or alongside a permanent structure on a property.
No more than two RVs can be stored on a residential property at any time.
If an RV is brought in to accommodate temporary visitors, it cannot stay on that property longer than seven consecutive days or 14 total days annually.
In no instance shall an RV be occupied or used for sleeping, living or housekeeping purposes, except for short-term use by visitors.
If approved, vehicles cannot be parked in residential front yards, Barnett said. If being repaired, the vehicles must be licensed and parked in a driveway or parking area, he said.
If inoperable for more than 48 hours, the car or truck must be moved into an enclosed building, where all vehicle parts must be kept, he said.
Unlicensed and inoperable vehicles on a property make the landowner subject to a fine of up to $250, Barnett said.
But Ferdon assured the council the amendment isn’t being considered in order to collect more fines.
Rather, they are being proposed simply so problems can be addressed in a timely fashion, she said.
“Fining is always our last resort, and isn’t something we want to do,” said Ferdon, who said Barnett is usually able to resolve code enforcement issues simply by talking to the responsible party.
A final decision on these proposed changes will likely come up for a final vote when the council meets at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3.
