Should boat parking be allowed on Naperville driveways?

A winter parking problem for one Naperville family's summer toy has the city council evaluating its ordinance about trailers and recreational vehicles.

Chris Hagenbaumer said he was unaware when he bought a boat this summer that parking it on his driveway wouldn't be allowed. He found out when he got an ordinance violation notice, which means someone called code enforcement to complain.

Hagenbaumer asked the city council Tuesday to consider loosening the regulations that prohibit his boat from being parked on his driveway for more than 48 hours at a time or more than 14 days in a month.

He got some takers among the council, who said they think the rules are too restrictive and should be relaxed for just the type of situation Hagenbaumer described.

"For seasonal toys like that, personally I don't have a problem with it," council member Paul Hinterlong said. "I know it's probably a big hassle for people like that."

Council member Judith Brodhead said it's common for suburbs to limit the parking of trailers and recreational vehicles in residential driveways and Mayor Steve Chirico said he sees the value of such regulations.

"Having lived in unincorporated (areas), where it was legal to park whatever you want in your driveway, I saw how much clutter starts to build up very quickly," he said. "We have to be careful about that."

The city's rule applies to all campers, all-terrain vehicles, boats and snowmobiles, as well as all nonpowered trailers. If the vehicle is less than 25 feet long, under weight restrictions and driven daily, it can be parked overnight with no restrictions. Otherwise, it can be on a driveway for no more than 48 hours at a time, three times a month, or a total of 14 days in a month.

Instead of on driveways, the code allows such vehicles to be parked in backyards or interior side yards, if they are more than 5 feet from the property line and screened with a fence or landscaping.

Hagenbaumer said he looked into modifying his garage or finding a spot on the side of his house to park his boat. But his garage can't be widened or raised to accommodate the ski boat, and placing it aside his house would require a new 6-foot-tall fence.

"I believe this option is more of an eyesore than leaving the boat on the driveway," he said.

Council member Benjamin White said he's concerned boat and trailer parking "could get out of hand and take away from the neighborhood."

But council member Kevin Coyne asked if a way can be found to allow such parking, pending review to ensure the vehicle is not an eyesore or disruptive.

"Things like this drive me crazy," Coyne said about the parking restrictions. "I think people should be able to do with their property what they want to."

City Attorney Mike DiSanto said he will look into whether a variance or permit process can be created to allow exceptions to these parking rules.