In a stated attempt to retain the aesthetic quality and encourage responsible development within the city, residential property owners in the city of Ottertail will now face regulations regarding the parking and storing of recreational vehicles.
In a city where many visitors to the area lakes choose to camp or reside in temporary recreational units, city officials saw a need to control the abundance and placement of such habitations.
After a public hearing at their July 19 meeting, the Ottertail City Council approved an ordinance regulating the parking and storing of recreational vehicles, contingent on the modification of one part of the ordinance.
The city's newly adopted ordinance places recreational (camping) vehicles into two categories. A recreational camping unit is a single family dwelling unit, including, but not limited to tents, travel trailers, truck campers, motor homes and other similar vehicles.
Recreational vehicles (RV's) are defined as vehicles that can be driven, towed or hauled. These vehicles are classified as those designed to be temporary living space for camping or travel use. RV's include travel trailers, truck campers, self-propelled motor homes and other related vehicles.
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In general, the recreational vehicles within the city limits must be designed to operate on state roads without a special permit and must have a current license. No camping unit may be permanently placed or skirted, so as to ensure the unit may be readily moved.
As with all other structures, camping units must comply with dwelling setback requirements. However, the new ordinance does more than simply match the requirements set by Otter Tail County.
"This ordinance is somewhat different from what the county has," explained Ottertail city coordinator Lee Sherman. "The planning committee thought that what the county had in the Shoreline Ordinance was a little vague."
On properties with and without principle structures, there will be a maximum of four units allowed at any one time. The provision was also added that only one unit can be licensed and all other units will not be allowed for any more than 14 days in one year.
The responsibility of enforcing this ordinance falls on the shoulders of Ottertail city council members. A violation of the ordinance will constitute a misdemeanor, with fines paid being credited to the city's General Revenue Fund.
The ordinance concludes by adding to the 'enforcement' portion of the ordinance that: "All employees of the City of Ottertail, City Council members, City Clerk and their designees, in the performance of their duties, shall have free access on all land included in the city limits of Ottertail." This item will allow city officials to effectively enforce the ordinance they have passed.
Also addressed in the ordinance was the placement of camping units on properties where a principal structure is being constructed. For example, an individual recently went before the council to request a permit to place a trailer on a lot while working on constructing a permanent home.
Camping units will be allowed in conjunction with a land use permit for construction of a principal structure providing a city approved permanent sewage system is in place. The ordinance also reads that while camping units are allowed for up to 12 months during construction, an extension may be granted for an additional 12 months in conjunction with an extension of the land use permit.
