Using a portable storage shelter to protect your RV or boats during the winter months is a practical and economical idea but, like carports and portable garages, these shelters may experience some restrictions on where they can be placed. In recent news, DeWitt, New York enacted a law regarding these vehicles being placed in driveways and front yards. For those who own these vehicles, the only viable option to meet these laws is to keep the vehicle stored in the backyard. Like most similar laws, this one in DeWitt became effective January 1, 2010, to keep property values in the city up, as RVs and boats are considered eyesores.
Some neighbors have petitioned the city to make an exception for their area, but, at this moment, such a law is up in the air, according to the article linked above. Those who don’t store their vehicle in an inconspicuous place face a fine of $200. At the moment, RVs, boats, and similar seasonal vehicles like snowmobiles can be left in front of the property for ten days, before the owner is fined for breaking the law. However, not all homes, especially those in a city, are equipped with large enough backyards for an RV or boat and a shelter, and what should someone do in this case?
In some cases, the logical step would be to put the vehicle in storage or, especially for boats, to store it near a water source away from home. Not everyone has this luxury, however, and storing such a vehicle on their property is far more economical than finding a storage facility that won’t keep an RV outdoors. At the moment, those in DeWitt are waiting for updates on this law for their neighborhoods but, even if you don’t live in DeWitt, your city, town, or neighborhood could have such restrictions. Like going to purchase a carport, check your local laws in regards to owning such a vehicle and the shelter needed to protect it.