ord_01-2025-amending_chapter_158-vehicles_non-self_propelled.pdf

TOWN COUNCIL OF CENTREVILLE

ORDINANCE NO. 01-2025

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF CENTREVILLE TO AMEND

CHAPTER 158 VEHICLES, NON-SELF PROPELLED

WHEREAS, the Town Council of Centreville is authorized by § 5-202 of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to adopt ordinances to protect the health, comfort, and convenience of residents of the Town of Centreville; and WHEREAS, Section 804.B.40 of the Charter of the Town of Centreville authorizes the Town Council to adopt Code provisions to remove nuisances and obstructions from the streets, lanes, and

alleys and from lots adjoining thereto, or any other places within the limits of the Town; and WHEREAS, the Town Council believes that it is in the best interests of the citizens of Centreville to amend Chapter 158 of the Town Code regarding Vehicles, Non-Self Propelled.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Council of Centreville:

Section 1. Chapter

158 of the Town Code is renamed Vehicles, Recreational And Utility Trailers

Section 2. Chapter

158 of the Town Code is hereby amended as follows:

158-1 Definitions

Recreational Vehicle or Trailer means a vehicular type portable structure or trailer designed for recreational, camping, living accommodations or other travel use which either has its own motor power and/or is mounted on or towed by another vehicle. These include, but are not limited to motor homes, truck campers, camping trailers, or trailers to carry boats, cars, animals, motorcycles or other off-road vehicles.

158-1 2 Stopping, Standing and Parking On Public Property Prohibited It shall be unlawful to stop, stand or park any non-self-propelled recreational vehicle or trailer while said vehicle is not attached to a motor vehicle, on any streets, alleys, or lanes or other public property within the Town of Centreville, except during the loading or unloading of such recreational vehicle or trailer when such loading or unloading is completed within forty-eight (48) hours of such

parking. A non-self-propelled vehicle shall include, but is not limited to, any trailer, including boat trailers, house trailers, utility trailers, livestock trailers, carriage, sleds, buggies or other type of vehicle normally towed behind a motor vehicle, horse, oxen or other similar type of beast of burden. However, this chapter shall not apply to any carriage, sled, or buggy parked on any streets, alleys, or lanes within

the Town of Centreville while the said carriage, bled or buggy is attached to said beast of burden.

158-3 Parking

on Private Property An owner or occupant of a residential structure may store a recreational vehicle, or trailer owned by the property owner or occupant on their property provided that:

A. If stored in the front yard of the property, the recreational vehicle or trailer shall be parked on the driveway or driveway apron;

B. If stored in the side or rear yard of the property, the recreational vehicle or trailer shall be visually screened from the neighboring property or public right of way with landscaping or fencing, unless the property owner on that side gives written consent for no screening;

C. The recreational vehicle or trailer is operable and is currently registered in the home state of the owner or occupant of the property;

D. No occupancy, either temporary or permanent, of a recreational vehicle or trailer shall be permitted; and E. If the owner or occupant of a private residential structure permits a guest or invitee to park a recreational vehicle or trailer in violation of this Section, then both the owner of the recreational vehicle or trailer and the owner or occupant of the property shall be in violation of this chapter. There shall be a presumption of knowledge and

permission of the owner or occupant of the private residential structure if there is a recreational vehicle or trailer parked in violation of this Section by a guest or invitee of the owner or occupant.

158-2 4 Violations And Penalties A. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall receive a citation, either in person or by having same placed in a conspicuous place on the vehicle, which he, she or it was using at the time of the violation of said provisions, to appear before the District Court of Queen Anne’s County, to answer a charge of violating the provisions of this chapter;

provided, however, that if the person, firm or corporation may appear at the Town Office of the Town of Centreville within the times and dates designated by Article I of Chapter 154, Vehicles and Traffic, and pay the fine or fines set forth in § 1-14.B.5.a of the Town Code; the payment of such fine, shall have the effect of dismissing the citation.

B. In any prosecution charging a violation of this chapter, proof that the particular vehicle described in the summons was parked in violation of the chapter, together with proof that the defendant named in the summons was at the time of such parking or other unlawful act the registered owner of such vehicle, shall constitute prima facie presumption that the registered owner of such vehicle was the person who parked and placed vehicle at the point, and for the

time during which such violation occurred.

158-3 5 Presumption of Vehicle Ownership In any prosecution charging a violation of this chapter, proof that the particular non-self-propelled vehicle recreational vehicle or trailer described in the summons was parked in violation of the chapter, together with proof that the defendant named in the summons was at the time of such parking or other unlawful act the owner, whether registered or otherwise, of any such non-self-propelled vehicle

recreational vehicle or trailer, shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the owner, whether registered or otherwise, of any such non-self-propelled vehicle recreational vehicle or trailer was the person who parked or placed such non-self-propelled vehicle recreational vehicle or trailer at the point where such violation occurred.

(Language to be deleted from the existing Ordinance is indicated in strikethrough format and language to added is indicated by bold italics underlined text)

Section 3.

If any section, clause, paragraph, sentence or phrase of the Ordinance or the application thereof to any person, property, or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or unconstitutionality shall in no way affect other provisions or any other application of this Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and for this purpose the provisions of this Ordinance are

declared severable.

Section 4. This

Ordinance shall become effective twenty (20) days after its enactment.

ATTEST: THE TOWN COUNCIL OF CENTREVILLE

____________________________________

R. Gaye Adams Ashley Heffernan Kaiser, Esq., President Town Clerk _____________________________________

First Reading: Jeffrey D. Kiel, Vice President Second Reading:

Enacted:

Effective: _____________________________________

Daniel B. Worth, Member _____________________________________

Jim A. Beauchamp, Member ______________________________________

Sandra Lee Huffer, Member