South Portland Boat Storage Ordinance

City Council Workshop Agenda Item #2

March 14, 2011 Boat Storage

This item is brought forward to discuss establishing an ordinance to regulate the storage and maintenance of boats. Through the proposed ordinance language, staff is proposing setbacks association with boats 24 feet or more in length in Residential zones. The following are proposed amendments to Chapter 17, Offenses – Miscellaneous Provision," of the City’s Code of Ordinance:

Option #1

1) In all residential zoning districts, one (1) boat, twenty

four (24) feet or more in length, may be stored on land

owned by the boat owner. The boat must be six (6) feet from

the side and rear property lines and twenty (20) feet from

the front property line.

Option #1 would limit the property to storage of only one boat. The property must be owned by the boat owner.

Option #2

2) Any boat, twenty four (24) feet or more in length, stored in

a residential zone must be six (6) feet from the side and

rear property lines and twenty (20) feet from the front

property line.

Option #2 would not limit the number of boats on the property and the landowner is not required to be the owner of the boat(s).

Each of the options addresses setback requirements.

Additionally, the following language regarding maintenance of any boat (s) on the property would be added language to either Option #1 or Option #2.

Any on site boat maintenance, regardless of size, such as, but not limited to mechanical repairs, sandblasting, gelcoat and fiberglass repairs and sanding, are prohibited.

As the Council’s aware, this item was brought to the Council’s attention by a resident who raised a concern with the number of boats along the side of his neighbor’s house. The property owner’s situation was unique to this year and the property owner has since moved two of the three boats stored on the property.

Annually, the Code Enforcement Office receives a small number of complaints (not enough to document) each year concerning the storage of boats on residential properties, particularly

boats that are stored within the City’s street right-of-way. For the most part, boats are typically stored on residential properties from October to May. We may be seeing an increase in boat storage on properties as a result of the economy and the inability by some owners to pay the fees associated with storing their boat(s) at the marina or another off-site location.

Staff is not taking a hard position on the proposed Ordinance, with the exception of the Ordinance language addressing maintenance of boats. The annual improvements needed to maintain boats, particularly those in saltwater, tend to have greater impact to abutting owners than the storage of boats. Boat repair businesses delivering services out of a garage or in a driveway do exist in some neighborhoods, which have a significant quality of life impact on abutting properties.

Included is a memorandum from Patricia Doucette as well as pictures of some of the boats currently stored on residential lots throughout the City. Patricia will be at Monday’s meeting to answer any questions.

Here is the link.