Does the city require cars keep off the grass?
Apr. 5—Dear Answer Man: We just received an "anonymous" complaint about using a part of our backyard (within our property line) as a place where some Mayo co-workers can park their cars. Someone from the city came by to inform us, and said it is not technically an "approved driveway." What are we supposed to do? I have lived in Kutzky for years and know that many people do this. — Paved Nothing for a Parking Lot.
Dear Paved,
Providing parking — whether you are charging your friends or not — seems like a noble thing. After all, parking anywhere near Mayo Clinic's campuses, downtown or Saint Marys, can be troublesome at best, and costly indeed.
So, if you're charging some nominal amount or offering space in your yard for free, I think you heart is certainly parked in the right space.
Unfortunately, it runs afoul of the new Uniform Development Code adopted by the city.
Megan Moeller, a spokeswoman for the city of Rochester, informs me that there's at least one problem with what you're doing and, if money is changing hands, no matter how little, two problems.
Moeller and her crack coworkers in Community Development said, "Yes, zoning regulations in the Unified Development Code prohibit parking on the grass at a private residence."
See the
UCD's Section 60.400.080.5.a
— jump down to page number 233 — which states off street parking shall be located in a garage or driveway.
"For Single-Family Detached and Same Lot Duplex Dwelling uses in all districts, off street parking areas shall be located in a garage or on a driveway. Parking spaces that are located between the building façade and the front lot line or between the building façade side street side yard, and that are not located in a permitted driveway parking area, are prohibited."
Since your backyard isn't paved, and doesn't lead to a garage or driveway, the UDC prohibits it as a parking lot, which is how it seems it's being used.
And, if you plan to build a new driveway and parking space in your backyard, you'll need a permit and a licensed contractor.
Finally, Moeller and her pals noted, as I did above, that operating a "parking lot" on a private residence is also considered a zoning violation in most cases. See UDC Section 60.300.010C.6 for more information.
I do hope your coworkers find some cheap parking. Here at the Post Bulletin's new digs, we all park for free, and we're kind of happy about it.
Don't park your questions. Send them to Answer Man at
.
