Recreational Vehicle Zoning Code Updates

On January 2, 2024, the Savage City Council approved the recommended minor language clarifications to the Recreational Vehicle Zoning Code.

For over a year, the City of Savage has been evaluating the zoning code regarding the parking and storage of recreational vehicles to ensure it meets the community’s current preferences. The current code has been in place for nearly 20 years! Everyone benefits from a well-kept community, but we also know that many residents own recreational vehicles and park them at their residences when not in use. Occasionally, the city receives complaints regarding the number of recreational vehicles on a property or the location of where they are parked.

Over the last year, the City has conducted observations, collected surveys and comments from residents, analyzed the data, and engaged with the community to evaluate the number of recreational vehicles allowed and the permitted parking and storage locations in residential neighborhoods. Based on this research, only a few minor language clarifications were made to the zoning code. Here is a summary of the changes:

Definition of recreational vehicle
The definition of a recreational vehicle was expanded to include vehicles designed for, used for, or capable of use for sport, amusement, or recreation, whether or not eligible to be licensed for use on streets and highways. This includes but is not limited to: campers, pick-up campers, tent trailers, motor homes, boats, trailers, snowmobiles, motorbikes, motorcycles, go-karts, all-terrain vehicles, fish houses, and personal watercraft.

In addition, language related to seasonal recreational vehicle use was removed since many recreational vehicles are used year-round. No changes were made regarding the number of recreational vehicles allowed at a property or where they can be parked.

Parking requirements

Here is a summary of the current code:

• Up to three (3) recreational vehicles can be parked or stored in residential areas.
• Recreational vehicles must be immediately operable, currently licensed, and/or registered to the occupant of the premises.
• If parked in the side or rear yard, recreational vehicles cannot be within five (5) feet of the property line unless screened by a 90% opaque fence, and the parking space must be kept free of weeds and mowed regularly.
• Up to two (2) recreational vehicles may be parked on the driveway but cannot obstruct the public sidewalk or protrude into the public right of way.
• Extended outdoor storage of recreational vehicles over 34 feet in length is permitted only by conditional use permit and must be in limited view of the neighbors.

To read the full City Code Title XV, Chapter 152 at cityofsavage.com/government/city-code-and-ordinances.