Community Update: Refreshed Rules for RVs, Storage & Everyday Vehicles Q&A

7 hours ago

6 min read

General & Community Input

Q: Why update Rule 4.6?

A: The goal is to modernize standards for current recreational vehicle use while preserving neighborhood aesthetics, safety, and consistent enforcement. The updated rule provides clearer standards for recreational vehicles, backyard storage, temporary parking, junk and inoperable vehicles, commercial vehicles, vehicle repairs, and vehicle covers. It also creates a limited exception process for certain conversion vans and pickup trucks that are regularly used for household transportation.

Q: How was community feedback considered?

A: Notice of the initial proposed language was provided to the community for review and comment. We read and considered every email received. Resident opinions varied considerably, and the final recommendations were adjusted in several areas based directly on community input.

Q: What are the most significant changes?

A: The primary changes include:

Establishing a clear 6-foot maximum height and screening standard for recreational equipment stored in backyards.
Clarifying where recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and similar equipment may be temporarily parked.
Increasing the temporary parking allowance from 48 hours to 72 hours during any rolling seven-day period.
Creating a limited driveway exception for qualifying conversion vans and pickup trucks with caps or similar configurations that are regularly used for household transportation.

Providing clearer definitions and standards for temporary storage containers, junk and inoperable vehicles, commercial vehicles, emergency vehicle repairs, and vehicle covers.

Backyard Storage

Q: What is the new rule for backyard storage?

A: Recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and similar recreational equipment may be stored in a backyard only when the item is below 6 feet in total height and sits entirely below the horizontal top line of an approved structural fence.

Height is measured from the surface on which the equipment is stored to its highest fixed point, including permanently attached equipment or accessories.

Equipment exceeding 6 feet in total height may not be stored on the property, even if landscaping, topography, or other screening would otherwise hide it from view.

Q: Why establish a 6-foot height limit?

A: Six feet corresponds with the height of a standard community perimeter fence and provides an objective standard that can be applied consistently throughout the community. The standard is intended to allow reasonable backyard storage while limiting the visual impact of larger recreational vehicles and equipment.

Q: What if an item is under 6 feet but can still be seen because of lot elevation?

A: Even when an item is under 6 feet, it must still not be visible from streets, sidewalks, trails, parks, common areas, and other public-facing areas. Where lot elevation or other site conditions make an item visible, landscaping, privacy screening, topography, and similar measures may supplement the required fence screening where necessary.

Visibility from adjacent lots should also be minimized.

Temporary RV, Boat & Trailer Parking

Q: What changed with temporary parking?

A: The previous rule allowed recreational vehicles to remain visible for up to 48 hours cumulative during a Sunday-through Saturday calendar week. The updated rule allows up to 72 hours during any rolling seven-day period to provide homeowners with reasonable time for activities such as preparing, loading, unloading, cleaning, or maintaining a recreational vehicle.

Q: How is the 72-hour period calculated?

A: The allowance applies during a rolling seven-day period rather than resetting each Sunday.

If a recreational vehicle is visibly parked for any portion of the day, that day counts toward the permitted period. Moving or relocating the vehicle somewhere else within Klahanie does not restart the allowance, and the allowance applies to the lot, regardless of whether different recreational vehicles are used.

Q: Where can an RV, boat, or trailer be parked during the temporary allowance?

A: During the permitted period, it must be parked in the homeowner’s driveway or on the street immediately in front of the homeowner’s lot, where street parking is otherwise legally permitted.

Q: Can someone sleep or camp in an RV or other recreational vehicle while it is temporarily parked?

A: No. Overnight occupancy, camping, sleeping, or habitation is prohibited while the vehicle is parked in the community. Unattended external utility connections, such as extension cords or hoses running across lawns or sidewalks, are also prohibited.

Conversion Vans & Pickup Truck Driveway Exception

Q: Why create an exception for some conversion vans and pickup trucks?

A: Vehicles such as Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster conversion vans and certain pickups with caps or pop-up mechanisms can serve primarily as everyday household transportation rather than traditional recreational vehicles. The new policy creates a limited exception allowing qualifying vehicles to remain in driveways while establishing objective size, appearance, safety, and usage requirements intended to preserve the residential character of the community.

Q: I already own a conversion van or qualifying pickup. What do I need to do?

A: Homeowners who currently own a conversion van, pickup with a cap, or similar vehicle that may qualify for the Driveway Exception must complete the application process

by December 31, 2026. Contacting the Association by this date does not automatically approve the vehicle. The vehicle must still be reviewed under the requirements of the Driveway Exception Policy and receive written Association approval.

Q: What if I am considering purchasing a conversion van or pickup that I intend to park in my driveway?

A: Homeowners considering a conversion van, pickup with a cap, or similar vehicle for long-term driveway parking should contact the Association to determine whether the vehicle is likely to qualify.

Because eligibility depends on the vehicle's dimensions, configuration, equipment, driveway fit, and other requirements, homeowners should not assume that a particular vehicle will qualify simply because it is marketed as a conversion van or is similar to another vehicle in the community.

Q: Does every conversion van or pickup with a camper-style cap qualify?

A: No. Prior written Association approval is required.

Among other requirements, an eligible vehicle generally may not exceed:

22 feet in total length
10 feet, 6 inches in total height
84 inches (7 feet) in width, excluding standard retracted side mirrors
One approved exception vehicle per lot

The vehicle and approved accessories must also fit entirely within the paved driveway without obstructing sidewalks, curbs, landscaping, or creating an unreasonable sightline safety issue.

Q: Why are traditional RVs and slide-in campers not included?

A: The exception is intended for factory-bodied vehicles that function primarily as everyday transportation. Class C/B+ style coach bodies, rigid cab-over living compartments, and slide-in campers that extend above the cab or beyond the truck-bed sides remain classified as restricted recreational vehicles and do not qualify.

Q: If my driveway is longer, why can’t I have a larger vehicle?

A: The dimensional limits provide a uniform standard that can be consistently applied throughout the community. Individual driveway length does not change the maximum vehicle dimensions established by the exception policy.

Q: If my vehicle meets the dimensional limits, is approval automatic?

A: No. Homeowners must apply and receive written Association approval before long-term driveway parking. Applications include vehicle dimensions, current registration, and photographs. Adjacent property owners are provided a 14-day comment period, and the Association reviews the application against the policy requirements. If an application is denied, the homeowner may appeal the decision to the Board.

Q: Can an approved conversion van be used for camping while parked in the driveway?

A: No. The exception allows the vehicle to be parked as household transportation, not used as a campsite. Pop-up roofs, rooftop tents, awnings, and similar equipment must remain closed and retracted. Utility hookups, exterior camping equipment, generators, rooftop HVAC operation, sleeping, cooking, lodging, and guest entertainment are prohibited while the vehicle is parked in the community.

Other Rule 4.6 Changes

Q: What changed for PODS and temporary storage containers?

A: The existing 30-day limit remains, but the requirements are clearer. Temporary storage containers must be located in the homeowner’s driveway, remain entirely on the homeowner’s property, and cannot obstruct sidewalks, streets, neighboring driveways, or sight lines. Generally, only one container is permitted per lot. Extensions beyond 30 days require prior written Association approval.

Q: What changed for junk or inoperable vehicles?

A: The updated rule provides a clearer definition of junk, inoperable, abandoned, or disassembled vehicles. These vehicles may not be stored in backyards and may not remain on a lot, driveway, common area, or private street for more than 48 consecutive hours in any calendar week.

Vehicles must also be currently registered and display valid license plates as required by law.

Q: What changed regarding vehicle repairs?

A: Vehicle repair and maintenance remain generally prohibited except for emergency repairs necessary to make a vehicle safely operable or removable. Emergency repairs must occur in the homeowner’s driveway and be completed within 48 hours.

Q: What changed regarding commercial vehicles?

A: The updated rule more clearly distinguishes commercial vehicles from ordinary passenger vehicles used for work. Passenger vehicles, pickups, vans, and SUVs used for business purposes may generally be parked in the community provided they do not display exterior commercial advertising, business signage, logos, vehicle wraps, or other promotional graphics and are not otherwise designed or equipped primarily as commercial vehicles.

Q: What changed regarding vehicle covers?

A: Vehicle covers remain permitted on otherwise compliant driveway vehicles. Covers must be properly fitted, maintained in good condition, and be a neutral, earth-tone, unobtrusive color.

A vehicle cover cannot be used to conceal an unregistered, abandoned, inoperable, dismantled, or otherwise noncompliant vehicle.