City May Revise RV Parking Code

As other Ventura County cities move toward restricting parking of recreational vehicles, Thousand Oaks is looking to allow homes with larger lots to store motor homes on their properties.

The City Council on Tuesday will consider amending city codes that prohibit recreational vehicles from being stored outside a garage in most residential neighborhoods.

If council members agree, the Planning Commission would study the issue and recommend a code change.

Michael Weisberg, a resident of the Rolling Oaks neighborhood off Rancho Road, brought up the issue after code enforcement officers told him he would have to remove the RV parked on his 2-acre lot or build a garage to cover it.

“My point is, if you’ve got a lot of property, you shouldn’t be forced to build a structure that could cost you $100,000,” he said.

Trees, landscaping and a gate to shield the view of the vehicle from the public should be enough, he added.

Other neighborhoods with similar characteristics to Rolling Oaks--large estate properties--allow open RV storage under certain conditions, said Jason Alcala, deputy city attorney.

Simi Valley approved long-term street parking restrictions for RVs last year, and both Ventura and Moorpark are considering adopting similar laws.

A report from Thousand Oaks’ Community Development Department recommends that the council initiate the change.

Weisberg said until the code is changed the extra monthly expense to store his RV may force him to move from Thousand Oaks.