Norwalk : Vehicle Storage Ordinance

An ordinance that strikes a compromise over the storage of recreational vehicles in front and side yards was introduced Monday by the City Council.

The city previously considered an ordinance regulating such storage last year, but the measure met with controversy from opposing sides. An ad hoc committee was formed in December to study the issue. The committee hammered out the compromise ordinance and approved it in July.

Under the ordinance, the storage of one motor home, tent trailer, travel trailer, boat or unmounted camper will be allowed in a front or side yard under the following provisions: There must be no access to the rear yard; storage must be on a paved area; recreational vehicles must be stored perpendicular to the street; no storage in a side yard will be permitted on a corner lot, and unmounted campers must be on a dolly with lockable wheels.

The ordinance would also allow greater use of rear yards for storage and limit driveway and paved storage areas from 30% to 50% of the front yard area.