GALT, CA (MPG) - The Galt City Council voted at its Sept. 16 meeting to uphold the existing driveway ordinance (Galt Municipal Code Section 8.20.110 (K)) regulating the parking and storage of recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, trailers, campers and motor homes on residential properties.

Under the ordinance, recreational vehicles cannot be parked on front lawns, driveways or front yard setbacks. Permitted storage locations include garages, fenced or rear yards, or at an off-site location such as a storage facility.

The vote followed an April 1 council meeting where staff explained the code’s background and why it is enforced, based on community feedback.

The council on Sept. 16 reviewed results from a survey included in residents’ utility bills earlier this summer, which asked whether the code should be kept or revised. The city received 1,185 responses out of 8,581 surveys distributed.

“Based on what we have seen throughout Galt and the results of the survey, we’re going to recommend that the existing code remain basically unchanged,” said Galt Interim City Manager Chris Erias.

He explained that code enforcement operates on a complaint-based system, meaning staff respond to reports rather than actively patrolling neighborhoods. Erias also said that illegally parked RVs and trailers are by far the most common complaint received by the city.

Code Compliance supervisor TJ Guidotti noted that similar codes are in place across many jurisdictions.

“These codes are pretty specific and pretty consistent in any jurisdiction statewide, international when you take a look at city codes in regard to that,” he said.

Survey results indicated that 67% of respondents supported maintaining the current ordinance. Residents who favored the existing rules cited priorities such as preserving neighborhood aesthetics, ensuring roadway safety and reducing potential nuisances.

To give residents time to comply, the council approved a grace period before enforcement resumes on Tuesday, Nov. 18. This grace period is meant to give time for off-site arrangements and to uphold the code’s overall intent.

According to a Sept. 23 city notice, compliance requires removing or relocating any RV, boat, trailer or camper in violation of Section 8.20.110(K); maintain at least a three-foot-wide continuous fire access in any side or rear yard where such vehicles are parked; and ensure that parking or storage does not occur on front lawns or within required front yard setbacks.

After Nov. 18, properties that remain out of compliance will enter the abatement process, which might result in administrative fines.

For questions about compliance, measurements or fire access requirements, residents can contact the City of Galt Code Enforcement Division at 209-366-7209.