Petition to Review and Modernize Pleasant Prairie Zoning Ordinance §420-49 Regarding Seasonal Recreational Vehicle Parking

Pleasant Prairie residents value well-maintained neighborhoods, responsible property ownership, and reasonable regulations that protect public health, safety, and community appearance. Most residents support ordinances that address abandoned vehicles, unsafe conditions, nuisance properties, and genuine code violations.

However, many residents believe the current regulations governing recreational vehicle parking no longer reflect modern recreational vehicle ownership, the realities of seasonal use in Wisconsin, or the practical way many families utilize boats, campers, RVs, utility trailers, and other recreational equipment.

Under Village of Pleasant Prairie Zoning Ordinance §420-49, recreational vehicles, including boats and their trailers, are generally prohibited from being parked in residential driveways located within the street yard. Instead, such vehicles must typically be stored within an enclosed structure or in a side or rear yard subject to screening and other requirements.

The ordinance broadly defines recreational vehicles to include boats, jet skis, campers, motorhomes, travel trailers, utility trailers, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, and similar recreational equipment.

While these requirements were established with the intention of maintaining neighborhood character and preventing nuisance conditions, many residents believe the ordinance does not adequately distinguish between abandoned or neglected vehicles and recreational vehicles that are actively owned, maintained, and used by local families.

A clean, registered, insured, and actively used recreational vehicle parked on private property during Wisconsin's boating, camping, and outdoor recreation season presents fundamentally different circumstances than abandoned equipment, inoperable vehicles, or genuine nuisance conditions.

Many residents have also expressed concerns regarding complaint-driven enforcement. While municipal code enforcement resources are limited and enforcement often begins after complaints are received, this can create a perception of inconsistent application when similar recreational vehicles exist throughout the community but enforcement actions occur only after a complaint is filed.

This petition is not intended to eliminate existing ordinances, reduce property maintenance standards, or permit nuisance conditions. Rather, it seeks to encourage a thoughtful review of §420-49 and consideration of whether the ordinance should be updated to better reflect modern recreational vehicle ownership while continuing to preserve neighborhood aesthetics, public safety, and property values.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the Village of Pleasant Prairie review and consider amending §420-49 to allow seasonal driveway parking of recreational vehicles, including boats, campers, RVs, and trailers, provided that such vehicles:

• Are currently registered and licensed where applicable
• Are insured
• Are operable and maintained in good condition
• Are owned by the resident of the property
• Do not create safety hazards
• Do not obstruct sidewalks, roadways, sight lines, or public rights-of-way
• Comply with any additional reasonable standards established by the Village

This proposal would preserve the Village's ability to regulate nuisance properties and unsafe conditions while recognizing the realities of modern recreational vehicle ownership and Wisconsin's strong boating, camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation culture.

The purpose of this petition is not to eliminate regulation, but to encourage a review and modernization of §420-49 through practical, common-sense standards that distinguish responsible recreational vehicle ownership from genuine nuisance conditions while maintaining the character, safety, and appearance of our community.

If you believe Pleasant Prairie should review and consider updating §420-49, please sign and share this petition.