city zoning ordinance....

[kunondrum]

What is the name of your state? Dearborn, MI

I've had my classic car covered in the back yard for about 3 months and just recieved a residential notice saying that I cant have my car there. The notice says the vehicle cannot be stored in yard and a print out of the rules was added which states...

storage sale and repair prohibited

The storage of merchandise, sale of motor vehicles, storage of inoperable vehicles, or repair of vehicles are prohibited in required off street parking lots or areas...etc.

The vehicle doesnt run, but I dont plan on working on it in my back yard. Its pretty clear that the city doesnt want vehicles stored in back yards, but if its my property I dont see what the problem is. It isn't an eye soar to the community and im not selling the vehicle...i dont see the harm it is doing sitting there....so what can I do? I could understand if there where for example 3 or 4 vehicles, but all I have is this one vehicle in my yard. Is there any way I can argue my point with valid reasoning to them? Are there alternative ways to work something out? thank you for your replies.

 

[shell007]

What is the name of your state? Dearborn, MI

I've had my classic car covered in the back yard for about 3 months and just recieved a residential notice saying that I cant have my car there. The notice says the vehicle cannot be stored in yard and a print out of the rules was added which states...

storage sale and repair prohibited

The storage of merchandise, sale of motor vehicles, storage of inoperable vehicles, or repair of vehicles are prohibited in required off street parking lots or areas...etc.

The vehicle doesnt run, but I dont plan on working on it in my back yard. Its pretty clear that the city doesnt want vehicles stored in back yards, but if its my property I dont see what the problem is. It isn't an eye soar to the community and im not selling the vehicle...i dont see the harm it is doing sitting there....so what can I do? I could understand if there where for example 3 or 4 vehicles, but all I have is this one vehicle in my yard. Is there any way I can argue my point with valid reasoning to them? Are there alternative ways to work something out? thank you for your replies.

If you don't like the rules, you could always move.

OR

Put the vehicle in the garage.

OR

If you don't have a garage, build one, and then put it in the garage.

OR

Rent a storage garage and park the car there.

 

[Happy Trails]

Yes, it appears you are in violation of your city ordinance. Since the city has the ability to adopt laws within the city, you either abide by them or fight it.

In our city, it is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or 90 days in jail.

We do have two people that are fighting this now from my city in the county court house. They are doing it pro se, and it is getting quite interesting. It is getting costly for the city and the city isn't liking that too much, since the city attorney has to keep going to court dates. Last I heard, the Judge told the violators that someone needed to make a formal complaint. No one has stepped up to do that yet. This is been going on for almost 2 years.

 

[kunondrum]

Yes, it appears you are in violation of your city ordinance. Since the city has the ability to adopt laws within the city, you either abide by them or fight it.

In our city, it is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or 90 days in jail.

We do have two people that are fighting this now from my city in the county court house. They are doing it pro se, and it is getting quite interesting. It is getting costly for the city and the city isn't liking that too much, since the city attorney has to keep going to court dates. Last I heard, the Judge told the violators that someone needed to make a formal complaint. No one has stepped up to do that yet. This is been going on for almost 2 years.

Thank you for your reply...Do you suggest I file a complaint? or approach the city council? Would I have to get a petition started? any other advice is very much appriciated.

to the rude replies made by another....keep them to yourselves please. Im just asking for help and if you dont want to help please dont post.

 

[Happy Trails]

Thank you for your reply...Do you suggest I file a complaint? or approach the city council? Would I have to get a petition started? any other advice is very much appriciated.

to the rude replies made by another....keep them to yourselves please. Im just asking for help and if you dont want to help please dont post.

I can only tell you what I have been seeing in my city. I wouldn't suggest filing a complaint.

Getting on the agenda for the next city meeting in hopes that you may be able to meet some sort of compromise is an option. Not saying they will bend at all, but it's worth a try.

Getting a petition going can sometimes be affective, however, how many people would agree that the ordinance is out of line?

The way I see the two cases working out in my city, is that the city will ultimately get their way. The two fighting it have bought themselves time, but in the long run will most likely end up with a fine. ....or the city may drop it if they just clean up their yard.

The suggestions shellandty made can certainly put you into compliance with the ordinance. Unfortunately, when you live in a city, there are rules that seem like they infringe on your rights as a land owner. But like I said, they do have the power to do that. Do you feel like fighting City Hall? You do know the old saying?

 

[justalayman]

I can only tell you what I have been seeing in my city. I wouldn't suggest filing a complaint.

Getting on the agenda for the next city meeting in hopes that you may be able to meet some sort of compromise is an option. Not saying they will bend at all, but it's worth a try.

Getting a petition going can sometimes be affective, however, how many people would agree that the ordinance is out of line?

The way I see the two cases working out in my city, is that the city will ultimately get their way. The two fighting it have bought themselves time, but in the long run will most likely end up with a fine. ....or the city may drop it if they just clean up their yard.

The suggestions shellandty made can certainly put you into compliance with the ordinance. Unfortunately, when you live in a city, there are rules that seem like they infringe on your rights as a land owner. But like I said, they do have the power to do that. Do you feel like fighting City Hall? You do know the old saying?

I'll tell you it's not just "in the city". I live in Michigan but outside of any city and we have very similar laws. As a matter of fact, the state of Michigan has a law that pertains to this that is even more expensive.

 

[Happy Trails]

I'll tell you it's not just "in the city". I live in Michigan but outside of any city and we have very similar laws. As a matter of fact, the state of Michigan has a law that pertains to this that is even more expensive.

In northern Minnesota, they are starting to go after areas that are not in the city a lot more aggressively. This is a little more troublesome for the state, since it is the county and state that have to police that. They don't get as much slack though as those that live within city limits (most get away with it by putting up a fence). ...but it's changing.

 

[FarmerJ]

If you dont have garage space to store it , check with your citys zoning office to learn if constructing a carport to go over the vehicle will work.it would be less money than a new or larger garage.

 

[45Frank]

Don't you city folk get it it's all about MONEY, I also lived in an area where you couldn't leave a rake outside over night, yes a rake. My neighbor had to remove a running registered, ins. old truck. Zoning officer called it an Eyesore. It had to be removed from HIS property.
And for fighting it, yes the townspeople did andas was stated in the past post it cost them money for the township attorney to come to court everytime. So they raised the fines to cover it. It's called BIG BROTHER.
One last thing there was a farm that was working for 150 plus years (Cattle) a developer wanted it they closed it down and yes this went thru court, it was ruled basically not one person showed for the ordinance hearing so the people must of wanted it.