Grandfather Clauses?

Question

We have a small motor home/RV parked in our driveway. At least two other families in our neighborhood have RV's on their property as well.

However one of our neighbors complained to the city that we should not be allowed to have it parked in view of the street because it is so big and it is only used on vacations which are not frequent.

We were told we had to move it by the city or face a fine. However one of the gentlemen from the city who gave us this info said that it was possible that there was a grandfather clause that might make it possible for us to keep the RV parked in the driveway.

But it would depend on the year the hous was built (1973, in S0outhern California, 91730 zip code.)

I have searched but the county recorder doesnt even know what a grandfather clause is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

The grandfather clause, if your city added one, would not depend on when your home was build but when you started parking your RV. Most cities do NOT offer a grandfather clause for something like this which is easy to remedy.

Grandfather clauses are more common in situations which are harder either financially or effect your life style. For instance if your city suddenly decided that you are limited to 2 outdoor pets (which my city has recently done) you are not expected to put down your family pets that are in excess. Registered pets in excess are grandfathered in, they get to live out their life by the old rules. HOA or cities often do this for additions to homes, where they would not allow a new addition but old ones are not required to be torn down.

Answer 2

You need to get the exact wording of your "Recreational Vehicle Ordinance" and the date it was passed and became effective. (If there is a "grandfather clause" it will be part of the language of the ordinance.)

My city just passed one last year and it did not have a grandfather clause. Therefore, even if someone owned the RV before the law changed, they are still required to follow the law.

In our case: Owners must not park the RV in the front yard (or side yards if a corner lot) and if parked on the property at all, must be either in the garage or behind a 6-foot fence or 5-gallon shrubbery to block it from view. The owner can park it in front to load, unload but this expected to be less than 3 days at a time and no more than 4 times a year. If someone visits you, you have to get a street parking permit and that is generally for 1-2 weeks only.

Our law also applies to boats, atvs, jet skis and anything similar in nature.

There are places that will rent storage spots and yes, residents are expected to use them.

Answer 3

In the situation you describe, it would not matter when the house was built, but for how long you had parked this RV in the past without incident. In other words, if there is an ordinance which took effect AFTER you were already parking the RV as you do, you may be 'grandfathered' out of the requirement to remove it.

Answer 4

If it violates city code, it violates city code. Rent space at an RV storage yard.