Municipal Code

Chapter 52 – Outside Parking and Storage of Vehicles

Regulations governing unlawful outside parking and storage of vehicles and materials on residential property.

Chapter 52

Outside Parking and Storage of Vehicles

52.01 DEFINITIONS.

For use in this chapter, the following words are defined:

1. "Driveway" means the hard surfaced area leading from the street or alley, whichever is the shortest and/or most direct route to the nearest City right-of-way whether an alley or street to a garage not to exceed 1½ times the width of the garage to a maximum of 36 feet wide. In the case of no garage, a single driveway not to exceed 24 feet wide from the street or alley to a house or to a location where a garage could be by ordinance is permitted. In cases where a detached building being used as a garage or capable of storing a car is on the property, a second driveway is permitted. In no case will more than two (2) driveways per addressed location be allowed.

2. "Front yard area" means all that area between the front property line and a line drawn along the front face or faces of the principal structure on the property and extended to the side property line. The front shall be determined by the address assigned to the property.

3. "Side corner lot" means the yard area adjacent to the street right-of-way on a corner lot extending from the front yard along the side of the structure to the rear property line.

4. "Trailer" means every vehicle without power designed for carrying persons or property and for being pulled by a motor vehicle.

52.02 DECLARATION OF NUISANCE.

The outside off-street parking or storage on property used for residential purposes, in violation of Code of Ordinance for the City of Lenox, Iowa Section 69.11, 69.12 or any other provision of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Lenox or the Code of the State of Iowa is declared to be a public nuisance because it (a) obstructs views on street and private property, (b) creates cluttered and otherwise unsightly areas, (c) decreases adjoining landowners' and occupants' enjoyment of their property and neighborhood, (d) may endanger the safety of children at play, (e) may harbor rats, insects, and other undesirable pests, and (f) otherwise adversely affects property values and neighborhood patterns.

(Ord. 379 – Feb. 19 Supp.)

52.03 UNLAWFUL PARKING AND STORAGE.

1. No person may store or allow the placement or storage for more than twenty-four (24) hours of any ice fishing houses, skateboard ramps or other similar non-permanent structures in the front yard area or side yard corner lots of property used for residential purposes.

2. No person may place, store or allow the placement or storage of pipe, lumber, forms, steel, machinery or similar materials including all materials used in connection with a business outside on property used for residential purposes.

52.04 EXCEPTIONS.

The prohibitions of this chapter do not apply to the following:

1. Any motor vehicle parked on a driveway.

2. Any truck, pickup truck or other vehicle belonging to a public utility being used to serve a residence or any vehicle making a pickup or delivery parked for a reasonable amount of time.

(Ch. 52 – Ord. 348 – Apr. 11 Supp.)