RVUFFP is a community action group dedicated to protecting the rights of the citizens of San Diego. We are a non-partisan band of recreational vehicle owners, formed without the support of any corporation or funding. We have been fighting the city's efforts to introduce the Oversize Vehicle Ordinance which would drastically restrict overnight street parking for any oversize vehicle as defined.

This website is hosted to inform the public and encourage them to take an active part in the governing of their city.

UPDATE November 18, 2008

I was out of town and unable to attend the council meeting of October 28, 2008. A Union Tribune article the following day pretty well spells out what was learned from those who were there.

The article is re-written here as published.

Sanders to revise plan to restrict RV parking

SAN DIEGO: Residents interested in a San Diego proposal to limit parking for recreational vehicles must wait longer for a resolution after the City Council yesterday called for Mayor Jerry Sanders to revise his plan

Council President Scott Peters and Councilman Kevin Faulconer called the plan, which is expected to cost $1.9 million to launch and enforce, too expensive. A spokeswoman for the mayor said she had no estimate for when a new proposal might be ready.

Some residents have complained that recreational vehicles are left parked on streets too long, leading to hazards or blight. Others argue that the city could ease the problem by forcing motorist to obey existing laws.

The proposal called for limits on parking the vehicles overnight. Residents could still do so, for up to three nights, provided they pay for a permit. Violators would have been subject to $100 fines.

The OVO issue was "returned", or as one staffer put it "the item was pulled from today's docket and sent to the mayor for more work."

RVUFFP does not pretend to understand city hall politics. A dilemma is how does the OVO, pushed by Council President Scott Peters, end up as the mayor’s plan which is now too expensive. You go figure!

To the delight of every RV and oversize vehicle owner, the issue has again failed to be enacted.

RVUFFP will update and maintain its website [rvuffp.com]. Please pass along any information or questions to rvuffp@sbcglobal.net

UPDATE September 17, 2008

On Monday September 15th the San Diego City Council docketed the Oversize Vehicle Ordinance (OVO), to discuss the previously called for fiscal analysis. Public comment was heard. Again the issue was short fused as the agenda was set only the prior Thursday. Less than 50 people were in attendance. Mr Zeleny from the city attorney’s office again gave a short brief pointing out minor changes. Oversize vehicles are now defined as being over 22 feet long OR over 7 feet high. There would be NO street parking between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am except by permit (Only for R.V.’s). Allotment would be 24 per year, each costing $3.50 and valid for a 72-hour duration. It was clarified that commercial vehicles fall under the OVO.

Public comments revealed nothing new though I did tell the City Council that after four years they should stop beating a sick and tired horse.

Council discussion called for a motion (in part) “To request the Mayor commence with meet and confer process with regard to the citywide proposal and return October 28th with recommendations for enforcement, initial implementation funding, and an implementation timeline ………………………”

The highlight of the day was during when Councilman Tony Young, District 4, asked several questions:

  1. Has there been a study on the IMPACT of this ordinance?
  2. How many people would be affected?
  3. Where are they supposed to go?
  4. Is there available storage?
  5. At what cost would future storage be?

The unspoken answer was NO, NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE. You could have heard a pin drop as the chambers were deadly silent. Though we have been raising these same questions over and over, this was the first time the council showed the mud on their faces.

As mentioned the OVO will return for a vote on October 28, 2008 (check city calendar for time). Council President Scott Peters had a reputation for postponing and short fusing agendas so check back often.

We need help to spread the word on the October 28th meeting. We must show in force to stop this madness. Click here to print, save, and distribute our flyer.

UPDATE: FEB 1, 2008

On Tuesday January 29th the San Diego City Council met to discuss the previously proposed OVO. Very short notice was given so the hall was only about half full. Mr Zeleny from the city attorney’s office gave a short brief pointing out minor changes. Oversize vehicles defined as being over 22 feet long AND over 7 feet high. No parking between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, except by permit (only for R.V.’s). Allotment would be 24 per year, each a 72-hour duration. The council voted unanimously (in part) “to request of the mayor within 60 days a fiscal analysis of the OVO including but not limited to cost of signage, enforcement, administration, permit fees etc, and any of the mayors preferred alternatives to the draft ordinance.”

Mr Zeleny pointed out the problems the city of Santa Barbara had in trying to initiate their OVO. The sticking point for them was meeting the provisions of CVC Section 22507, subdivision (a), which states that "the ordinance . . . shall not apply until signs or markings giving adequate notice thereof have been placed." Santa Barbara posted signs at the entrances to the city. In City of Santa Barbara vs. Home On Wheels, the courts held that the city DID NOT meet this requirement for adequate signage. As it is understood, the city of San Diego plans to do the SAME thing. Santa Barbara has a population of just over 100,000 people. If the provisions of CVC 22507 could not be met there, how does the city of San Diego, with over 10 times the people, think it will work here?

I found some comments made by council members interesting. Mrs. Frye gave a brief history of the OVO since December 2004, and noted that we are still at square one. Frye also mentioned that it could take up to a year or more before all aspects of an OVO ordinance could be enacted. Mrs. Atkins made a comment about not wanting the city to ‘set itself up for failure’.

If you agree this ordinance is bad for the city of San Diego, click on the “How You Can Help” menu of this site, and let city hall know how you feel.

If you would like to be added to our email notifications, copy: RVUFFP@sbcglobal.net in your message.

ADDED NOTE:

The R.V. owners in the city need to be aware of a change in the Municipal Parking Codes. In brief, we have the right to park our RVs off the street and in our front yards, space permitting. See:

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations §142.0510 General Parking Regulations
Paragraph (g): Parking in Required Front, Side, or Street Side Yards. Within the RE, RS, and RX zones, on lots with a side yard of less than 10 feet, with no access to the rear yard, and with no other on-site parking areas located outside of the front or side yard, one of the following vehicles may be parked outdoors in the required front, side, or street side yard subject to the requirements contained in Section 142.0510(f)(1) and (2): recreational vehicles, travel trailers, trailers, boats, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and similar equipment.