Subdivisions Voicing Concern on Parking of Vehicles in Subdivisions

St. Louis County should be taking a look at the growing problem of vehicles being parked in subdivisions, particularly commercial vehicles. Vehicles in question include commercial vans, buses, limousines, ambulances, tractor trailers and more. Other vehicles in question include recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers, boats, campers, motorcycles, tractors and other miscellaneous vehicles. While most are parked on pavement, there’s a growing number being parked on the grass or in the backyard.

This topic is rapidly becoming a hot issue as subdivision trustees endeavor to maintain a good appearance in their subdivisions. One commented these vehicles are “visual pollution.” No one likes to look out their window every day to see a commercial vehicle parked across the street. Another cited an example of a 25 foot recreational vehicle that’s parked in a driveway in his subdivision. He said the RV has not been moved in over a year.

The real question is if these vehicles are “parked” or “stored.” There’s a difference. If it’s “parked,” it’s being used on a regular basis. If it just sits there, it’s “stored.” He said if someone can afford a large RV, they should be able to afford to store it some place other than their driveway.

Some companies allow employees to drive their company van home from work and report to their next job direct from their home the next day. This also releases the company from providing overnight parking and security at their company location. It also is a form of advertising if their name and company information is painted on the van or truck.

One subdivision has a restriction on allowing trucks to be parked in their subdivision – either in the street or in the driveway. Trucks must be parked in a garage. One homeowner parks his family car in the driveway, while his son’s pickup truck is in the garage. (Note: We do not have the name of this subdivision available, but will endeavor to obtain it and report it in a future article.)

County regulations require vehicles to be parked on pavement, but reports from various subdivisions say the County is not enforcing the regulation. One cited a situation where a resident had a trailer parked on pavement on the side of his house, but had to drive over the lawn to get there. The department responsible for enforcement is headed by Garry Earls of St. Louis County. Earls is ignoring a problem that won’t go away and will get a lot worse before it gets better. Regulations are regulations and must be enforced.

We visited an adjoining subdivision to see if we could find some of these problems. We took the following series of photos, some of which are in direct violation of County regulations, while others may be acceptable. What do you think?


This residence has a gravel driveway next to a paved driveway. Vehicles are usually parked on the gravel driveway to allow the family vehicle access to the garage.



NOTE: Click on photos to enlarge.




This homeowner stores his boat in the driveway. The boat is actually larger than their vehicle. Is this "parked" or "stored?"




This boat & trailer is parked on pavement next to thehouse. The homeowner provided pavement access from the driveway to the parking area.





Here's a clear cut case of storing their camper at curbside but in their driveway. Since it's stored at the end of the driveway, they can access both side of their garage.





The family RV parked within a few feet of the curb. Is this "visual polution?" Is it "parked" or "stored?"





This is an unmarked truck and trailer and could be either a commercial vehicle or for personal use.






Here's a resident that has the guts to store his camper in the street. Admittedly, this is a dead-end street, but are there any legal implications here?

What happens if everybody stored their campers and boats in the street?



This boat and trailer is stored on the ground next to their driveway - clearly in violation of county ordinances.

REMINDER: Click on photos to enlarge.


The subdivision where these photos were taken does not have a formal association or elected trustees. They do not have any common ground or lighting expenses. They have brickwork at their entrance which periodically needs repair. When needed, the subdivision seeks donations from residents.

What are your thoughts? Any Comments? Are these vehicles and trailers legally parked or not? What does your subdivision allow? Click on COMMENTS below to share your thoughts with other subdivision trustees.

County Police Often Ignore Regs and Enforcement

In many areas of St. Louis County, the County Police are not really enforcing “quality of life” issues which affect neighborhoods. This is referred to as “selective enforcement” and the police are not living up to their slogan of “Neighborhood Policing is Priority One. They talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

One resident wrote saying this results in "visual pollution" and is just not acceptable. "Once you open the door to violations, more will creep in," commented another. "It's the same as graffiti." 

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

In recent years it has come to signify a wider range of disruptions to environmental quality. Thus litter, billboards, and auto junkyards are said to constitute visual pollution; noise excessive enough to cause psychological or physical damage is considered noise pollution; and waste heat that alters local climate or affects fish populations in rivers is designated thermal pollution.

County Residents Speak Out About Parking Boats & Trailers

From County Residents . . .

This is a total outrage. Many indentures make provisions for no trailers and boats. This is an aesthetic nightmare and residents will push the envelope. I trust not one councilman or Charlie Dooley wouldn't want this in their neighborhood. What are they trying to do? . . . DW

Anonymous said . . .

This just goes to prove that our leaders no matter local, state or federal have no clue as to what kind of ramifications their stupidity will bring.

I live in a subdivision that just recently included rules in its indenture preventing this plus giving specifics if there is a boat or trailer to be stored on the homeowners property what has to be done to comply with the indenture. I sure hope the county's ruling doesn't supersede our indenture.

Does the county understand how trashy this kind of thing looks. It's kind of funny the things that used to be commonplace in Jefferson County especially Arnold can no longer be done in Arnold and the uppity St. Louis County is lowering its standards just so they won't have to enforce them.

Once again GOOD JOB Charley Dooley and crowd.It was bad enough pushing the trash down our throat now you are letting our neighborhood's look trashy.

Anonymous said . . .

This is one giant step backwards. It's time for full county consolidation into several large municipalities. County government, no longer feels the need to represent its people.

Anonymous said . . .

This is all you can find to post on here? really? I believe a property owner is entitled to certain rights when he purchases that piece of property. Parking a boat there being one of those rights. Perhaps there should be a lot size requirement, but what is the difference between putting tires on grass, or putting them on gravel (which would take about $40 and an hours worth of time to place)?

I have no right to tell my neighbor where he can and cannot park his boat; neither do you.

Mike Roberts said . . .

Sorry, but when someone buys a home, they must comply with the rules and the rules include types of fencing, storage buildings, commercial vehicles parking in the subdivision, number of pets, the number of people living in the house and, yes, parking of boats and trailers. A person needs to check on restrictions before buying a boat (or trailer) or otherwise be prepared to store it elsewhere.

As the article stated, one boat may not be too bad, but a hundred would be an eyesore. These regulations are already on the books of the county, but are just not being enforced. If there's a regulation prohibiting it, it needs to be enforced. The county lacks the manpower and money to not enforce a lot of regs.

St. L County Says OK to Parking Boat Trailers, Utility Trailers and Campers on Grass

St. Louis County says it's all right to park boat trailers and unloaded utility trailers on the grass in your subdivision . . . providing they don't cause ruts and harbor mosquitos. Cars or trucks cannot be parked on the grass.

How do you feel about boat trailers, camper trailers and utility trailers being parked on grass in your subdivision? While you might tolerate 1 or 2 trailers being parked on the grass, how would you feel if a hundred residents did this?

We welcome your comment. Just click on COMMENTS below and share your thoughts.

County Officials Sometimes Just Don’t Want to Enforce Regulations and Make Their Own Rules

The following was sent in by a county resident as a reply from St. Louis County to their request about cars and trailers parked on grass.

"I sent your message up the line (to Mr. Earls) as I told you I would. I have no control over how things happen any further than me. I certainly can't do anything about getting Mr. Earls to respond to you either. I have heard nothing one way or another as far as trailers go; so until I do, I will not be issuing NOV's (Notices of Violation) for trailers (parked on grass)."

The bottom line is some county officials make up their own rules and regulations . . . as evidenced by the trash situation in the county.

Subdivision Bans Commercial Vehicles

The following was submitted as a COMMENT to one of our articles. We thought it important enough to present it as an article.

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We have a ban on commercial vehicles in the subdivision unless garaged or parked on a permanent concrete pad. This was meant to mean a pad on the side of the house, or back. However, the driveway seems to be OK with the County. It should have been 'unless garaged' ONLY.

Also, you should have a definition of a commercial vehicle. The County says it's a truck with signs advertising a business, and we have been unable to get rid of a few trucks without signs that have side mounted tool boxes, winches, and snow plows attached.

Also, be sure to allow for fines and liens for violations of the Indentures, with the procedures spelled out, or you won't have any way of enforcing anything.

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What do you allow in your subdivision? How about boats, buses, trailers? Where do they park?