News Flash

Feb. 27, 2017 - The Hampton Planning Commission will consider changes in how residents can store or park recreational equipment - including campers and boats -  on their property. In addition, the board will consider permits for live entertainment at the Deja Vu Restaurant and Bull Island Brewing Co., as well as a hotel at Peninsula Town Center. 

The changes in recreational vehicle storage were previewed at City Council in February. Current zoning laws for RVs are based on size and were developed when vehicles were generally smaller. The proposed changes would also be more like regulations in other localities in the region, according to staff research.

The rules would apply to a wide variety of equipment, including travel trailers, campers, motorized dwelling, pickup camper, converted bus, tent trailer, boats, and utility trailers that transport them. 

Currently, recreational vehicles are permitted on residential lots only when they are no greater than 28’ long, 8’ wide, and 10’ tall; meet accessory structure setbacks; and are not parked in a front yard, except when loading or unloading (max 48 hours). Otherwise, they must be stored off-site.

The proposed changes would allow 2 recreational vehicles per lot provided:

• Only 1 can be forward of the house and it must be parked on a paved surface and cannot extend into public right-of-way, including sidewalk

• No recreational vehicle can be less than 3’ from property line

• No recreational vehicle can exceed 16’ in height

Violations would result in parking ticket issued by the codes officials. 

Public hearings will be held on all these items. In addition, the commission will hear an update on the Downtown Master Plan. 

The meeting is at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in City Council Chambers at City Hall and will be televised on the City Channel, as well as streamed live online.