Burbank Tide Turns Against Boat, RV Parking : Long-Ignored Prohibition on Driveway Storage Suddenly Has City Roiled

A longstanding Burbank ban on parking large boats and recreational vehicles in front yards and driveways has recently erupted as an issue, with loud arguments at City Council meetings, residents turning in neighbors to authorities and the threat of a ballot initiative to overturn the law.

“In two years, I’ve had more complaints about vehicles in the driveway than anything else,” said Burbank Mayor Mary Kelsey.

The attack on the ordinance by owners of boats and recreational vehicles was launched last month when several residents who had parked their boats in their driveways for years suddenly found notices on their boats warning them of a $50 fine if the boats were not moved.

The law, which officials say was adopted at least 25 years ago, prohibits the parking of any boats, campers or airplanes, or of motor homes more than 22 feet long, in front yards of residences. For the past few weeks, protesters have been asking the City Council to change the ordinance.

But the council last week refused to do so, saying that the protesters represent a minority and that public sentiment is against them.

The council did impose a moratorium on enforcement of the ordinance, however, giving boat and RV owners a month to find new parking places.

The ordinance was adopted to preserve the beauty of residential neighborhoods, said City Atty. Douglas C. Holland. It also helps keep the vision of neighbors backing out of driveways from being obstructed and protects children who might dart into the street from behind a parked boat, he said.

Pasadena, Glendale and Santa Monica have similar--and, in some particulars, harsher--ordinances, he said.

Burbank boat and motor-home owners contend that their expensive vehicles are anything but eyesores. Also, they say, the ordinance discriminates against larger vehicles, even though motor homes under 22 feet would still obstruct vision. And, they say, there had been only selective enforcement of the ordinance until now.

Some boat and RV owners say they will start an initiative campaign to place the issue on the ballot.

“I pay property taxes, and I don’t think I should have anybody telling me where I can park my boat,” said Patricia Cran, 38. “I don’t want my boat in the driveway, but I’ve got nowhere else to put it.”

Cran, after trying in vain to find another place to store her boat, has arranged to house the boat in a Sun Valley yard for $560 a year.

Seen as Inequitable

Her complaint was echoed by Greg Fay, 40, who said he has had a boat parked in his driveway for eight years without a problem. He said he is angered and puzzled by the controversy. “For them to allow motor homes under 22 feet is not right,” he said. “If they’re coming after us, they should make it equal. . . .”

In the past several weeks, said Councilwoman Mary Lou Howard, she has received many letters from residents angry about boats parked in their neighbors’ driveways.

“And people are calling all the time, turning in their neighbors,” Howard said. “They were afraid to before, but, with all this hubbub, they are really steamed. They say they don’t want their neighborhoods to become parking lots.”