§ 21-146. Parking requirements for residential zoning districts.

For the purpose of implementing this section, residential zoning districts include AG1, RE, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, RM and MX zoning districts.

(a)

All residential buildings containing less than five (5) dwelling units shall provide an area for off-street parking either in a driveway, carport, garage, or parking lot. No parking shall be permitted on unimproved portions of the front yard.

(b)

Residential uses containing less than five (5) dwelling units may construct driveways and parking areas according to section 21-144(e). The portion of the driveway located within the right-of-way shall be constructed of asphalt, concrete, brick or decorative pavers. The portion of the driveway located within the property boundaries shall be constructed of asphalt, concrete, brick or decorative pavers, grid pavers, crushed stone, rock gravel or other material approved by the engineering services manager.

(c)

Parking for residential properties containing five (5) or more dwelling units shall follow the requirements contained in sections 21-143 and 21-144 of this Code.

(d)

Section 21-144(c) notwithstanding, driveways shall be constructed of concrete, asphalt, brick, concrete pavers, or similar hard surface, all-weather material. No driveway shall be constructed without a permit.

(e)

Commercial vehicles shall be prohibited from parking in residential zoning districts, including, but not limited to, truck tractors, semitrailers, tow trucks, dump trucks, vehicles with more than two (2) axles, and vehicles equipped with air brakes, refrigeration equipment, hydraulic lifts, cranes, loading ramps, or similar equipment.

(1)

The following shall be exempt from the requirements of section 21-146(e).

a.

Commercial vehicles that have less than two (2) tons load capacity, are less than nine (9) feet in height (including the load, bed, or box), and less than twenty-six (26) feet in length;

b.

Commercial vehicles owned by a public or private utility provider conducting regular or emergency services;

c.

The temporary parking of construction vehicles on private land in residential districts where construction is underway and for which a current and valid building permit has been issued by the City of Winter Haven.

d.

The parking of agricultural equipment and vehicles on private land for which the agricultural equipment and vehicles are being used for bona fide agricultural purposes.

(f)

Trailers may be parked, for storage purposes only, within the side yard or rear yard area, not less than five (5) feet from the property line. Trailers shall not be parked between any public street and the living area of the principal building. When parked for storage, trailers shall be maintained in good repair, shall not be used for the accumulation of junk or trash, and shall not be used for sleeping, eating, living, or conducting business. A trailer, for the purposes of this Code, is defined as an unpowered vehicle designed to be drawn behind another vehicle with an intended use of transporting materials, goods, or equipment.

(g)

Recreational vehicles may be parked, for storage purposes only, within the side yard or rear yard area, not less than five (5) feet from the property line. Except as otherwise provided, recreational vehicles shall not be parked between any public street and living area of the principal building. A recreational vehicle, for the purposes of this Code, is defined as a vehicular unit which is built on a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or is designed to be drawn by another vehicle, and is primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use.

(1)

Recreational vehicles may be parked up to seven (7) days in any calendar year in front of the living area of the principal building but only within the area specified below. For the purposes of this section, a day shall be defined as anything exceeding eight (8) hours during a 24-hour period.

a.

In the driveway or within an area ten (10) feet in width parallel to the driveway on the side closest to a property line.

b.

No less than fifteen (15) feet from the curb or street pavement edge.

c.

No less than five (5) feet from the side property line.

d.

Shall not overhang any sidewalk.

(2)

Recreational vehicles may be parked for storage purposes indefinitely in the area defined in subparagraph (g)(1) above so long as it is at least sixty (60) feet from the front property line.

(2)

When parked for storage, recreational vehicles shall be maintained in good repair, shall not be used for the accumulation of junk or trash, and shall not be used for sleeping, eating, living, or conducting business.

(h)

Watercraft may only be located in the side yard, the rear yard, or on a driveway, and not less than five (5) feet from the property line. No watercraft, or accompanying trailer, shall be parked within fifteen (15) feet of the edge of the street pavement. Driveway parking and storage is limited to a total of two (2) watercraft per property. Watercraft and accompanying trailers shall be maintained in good repair and shall not be used for the accumulation of junk or trash. A watercraft, for the purposes of this Code, is defined as a vehicular unit intended for operation on the water. This includes both mechanically and non-mechanically powered watercraft.

(i)

Unless under common ownership of a contiguous lot with a principal structure, no vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer, truck, or watercraft shall be parked on a lot within a residentially zoned district that does not contain a principal structure.

(j)

Self-contained/master planned communities may set aside a common area within the community for the purpose of storing recreational vehicles, trailers, and watercraft. This storage area shall be located a minimum of sixty (60) feet from the front boundary of the community and shall also provide visual screening so as to visually shield neighboring properties from the storage area.

(Ord. No. O-18-02 , § 1(Exh. A), 3-12-18)