CARLSBAD — City Council will soon consider a new ordinance that will restrict overnight parking of recreational vehicles in response to complaints by residents and business owners and difficulty with police enforcement.
“The purpose of this ordinance is to let law abiding residents and their guests enjoy their RVs in a way that does not negatively affect their neighborhood’s health, safety and quality of life,” said Carlsbad’s Deputy Director of Transportation Bryan Jones in a press release.
The city has received regular complaints about illegal trash and sewage dumping, traffic hazards, and sidewalk and street blocking from RV use and parking, according to the city’s Department of Transportation.
In recent years, Carlsbad Police have had difficulty enforcing current laws, which make it illegal for people to camp in RVs on public streets.
“The City of Carlsbad Police Department has received regular complaints about RV issues for years,” said Jodee Sasway, public information officer for the Carlsbad Police Department.
When responding to complaints, “The police officer knocks on the door of the RV and if no one answers, there is nothing further they can do but try again later,” she said.
The proposed ordinance would ban parking RVs between 2 and 5 a.m. within Carlsbad.
Exceptions would be allowed for residents or businesses that obtain one of the following free permits: a yearly residential permit that allows Carlsbad residents to park on a public street at their residence for up to 72 hours on four different occasions per month; a temporary permit that would allow residents to obtain a permit for a guest to park an RV on a public street at their residence for up to 72 hours on six different occasions per year, or a commercial property permit that allows hotel or motel guests to park RVs on public streets next to Carlsbad hotels or motels.
Permit holders who do not follow the rules of the permit risk losing the permit, getting a citation and having their RV towed.
“You can use your RV all you want in the city of Carlsbad during the day, we just don’t want you spending the night,” said Jones.
RV owners will still be able to camp at South Carlsbad State Beach and private campgrounds within the city.
The city is asking for public feedback on the drafted ordinance before Jan. 29, when it is tentatively set to go before City Council.
Comments can be sent to the Department of Transportation at [email protected] or 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008.
