A resident of Green posted on facebook the following: We have our RV parked in our driveway and due to it be there more than 72 hours on several occasions, we have gotten numerous nasty-grams from the city. Obviously a neighbor is complaining each and every time. We are not trying to be difficult and we do store it for a majority of the summer when not in use - we just simply cannot get it prepped and ready to go within 3 days and have nowhere else on our property we can store it. Now we are being told they may eventually tow it if we keep violating this code! We honestly don't want it in our driveway anymore than our neighbors do because it is a pain to maneuver around! 

Does anyone else have the same experience?

Would anyone be willing to file something with the city about changing this rule?

I don't know what to do at this point!

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The overwhelming feedback on this issue confirms what many of us already know: this is an ongoing problem in the City of Green. As residents, we are not part of a homeowners' association, and we should not be subjected to harassment or threats of legal action from council members. We pay taxes to live here, and we expect to have the right to make decisions about our own properties. It's time for the City of Green to restore our property rights and stop overreaching its authority.

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Petition to Amend RV, Boat, and Trailer Parking Ordinances and Restore Property Rights in the City of Green

To the Honorable City of Green Council Members,

We, the undersigned residents of the City of Green, respectfully submit this petition to express our growing concern over what many perceive as excessive and intrusive oversight of private properties within our community. We urge the City Council to re-evaluate current enforcement practices and ordinances, particularly those pertaining to recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, and trailers, that contribute to an atmosphere of "nit-picking" and unwarranted interference in residents' daily lives.

We chose to live in Green, and we contribute to its well-being through our taxes and our commitment to our homes. As property owners, we believe we deserve the right to enjoy our land and manage our properties without constant scrutiny over minor details that do not genuinely impact public health, safety, or the broader community's welfare.

A particular point of contention for many residents, as evidenced by recent community feedback, is the current 72-hour limit for RVs, boats, and trailers parked in driveways. This ordinance creates significant hardship for owners of such recreational equipment. For example, preparing an RV for a trip – including loading supplies, food, and performing necessary pre-departure checks – often takes at least three days. Similarly, readying a boat for the lake or loading a trailer for an outing, along with the subsequent unloading and cleaning upon return, also requires a comparable amount of time. Under the current rule, this means we are effectively limited to using our campers, boats, or trailers no more than once every 30 days, and we cannot properly unload or prepare them upon returning home or before setting out without violating the code! This is an impractical and unfair restriction on our ability to enjoy our property and our recreational activities.

The current approach often feels less like ensuring public safety and more like an overzealous policing of personal property choices. This creates an environment of frustration and resentment among residents who feel harassed and disrespected in their own homes. We are not trying to be difficult, and we diligently store our RVs, boats, and trailers when not in use. However, the current code makes responsible ownership in Green unduly burdensome.

Furthermore, we assert that city ordinances should not be applied to privately owned drives or streets that are not maintained by the City of Green. Residents who live on such private thoroughfares should not be subjected to city regulations regarding vehicle parking or other property uses that the city does not have the responsibility or cost of maintaining.

We respectfully request that the City of Green Council take immediate action to:

 * Amend the RV, Boat, and Trailer Parking Ordinance to Allow for Extended Periods During Peak Season: We propose an amendment to the current 72-hour parking ordinance to allow for a longer, more reasonable period for RVs, boats, and trailers during the primary recreational season. Specifically, from May through September, we request that these vehicles be permitted to be parked in driveways for no more than 15 consecutive days. This would allow residents sufficient time for preparation before and after trips, without creating a continuous presence that might genuinely impact neighbors. During the off-season (October-April), the current 72-hour rule could remain, or a shorter extension could be considered for maintenance purposes.

 * Clarify Jurisdiction for Private Drives/Streets: Explicitly state that city ordinances regarding property use, including parking, do not apply to privately owned drives or streets that are not maintained by the City of Green.

 * Re-evaluate and Amend Other Overly Prescriptive Ordinances: Review existing city ordinances with a focus on eliminating other overly prescriptive or subjective regulations that lead to "nit-picking" and undue interference in private property matters.

 * Prioritize Genuine Nuisances: Direct city enforcement to focus on legitimate health and safety hazards or clear public nuisances, rather than minor aesthetic preferences or benign individual property choices.

 * Promote Resident Autonomy: Foster a culture of trust and respect for residents' rights to manage their own properties responsibly, without the constant threat of citations or warnings for trivial matters.

 * Improve Communication and Education: Instead of punitive measures, prioritize communication and education for any legitimate concerns, allowing residents the opportunity to understand and address issues without feeling targeted.

We pay to live here and should have the freedom to enjoy our homes and properties without this constant interference. We ask that the City of Green Council listen to its residents and take steps to ensure that city ordinances and their enforcement truly serve the community by respecting the privacy and autonomy of its homeowners.

We trust that you will consider our concerns seriously and work towards a more balanced and respectful relationship between the city government and its residents.

Sincerely,

The Concerned Residents of the City of Green, Ohio