DEARBORN — With the warm weather season over, the City of Dearborn is reminding residents about the rules prohibiting storage of recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats on residential property.

The same rules apply to the long-term storage of cars and trucks that are not working and cannot be driven.

In addition, the parking of commercial vehicles, except for exemptions for some on-call vehicles, is prohibited in residential areas.

Tickets for improper vehicle violations are written as misdemeanors, subject to a maximum fine of $500.

Rules protect neighborhoods

These rules are in place to preserve the appealing character of neighborhoods, to prevent eyesores and other problems that can result when vehicles are parked for long periods of time in residential areas, and to combat when commercial storage or activity is occurring in violation of City law.

City ordinances are flexible, allowing the short-term parking of recreational vehicles for cleaning or preparation for trips. In addition, vehicles that need emergency repairs may be temporarily parked on residential property.

Despite city rules, the city is increasingly seeing RVs, commercial vehicles, and nonworking cars and trucks taking up permanent spots in the backyards and driveways of homes across Dearborn.

In fact, a visual survey done earlier this year by Residential Services Department inspectors showed more than 900 violations across the city.

As a result, in order to make sure owners of these vehicles are aware that they are in violation of the city ordinance, the Residential Services Department will be looking for improper vehicle storage on private property in neighborhoods.

Education before enforcement

When inspectors spot first-time violations, they will first alert vehicle owners to the problem and provide educational material about the issue. Inspectors will then check on the property one week later, and if the vehicle has not been removed or repaired, they will issue a formal notice of violation. The property will then be rechecked again after 10 days.

If, after all the above measures, the problem still exists, the inspector will issue a court appearance ticket. Court appearance tickets for improper vehicle violations are written as misdemeanors, subject to a maximum fine of $500. Citizens issued tickets are required to appear in court.

At any point along the education and enforcement process, the owner of the recreational vehicle, or nonworking car or truck, can request a reasonable amount of additional time to comply.

Inspectors will respond to violations reported by a neighbor, as well as be on the lookout for situations that are highly visible and already causing a nuisance on the residential block.

RVs are defined as boats, recreational vehicles, snowmobiles, trailers or towable vehicles of any nature.

Commercial vehicles are described as semi-tractors and/or trailers; dump, flatbed, snowplow, tow and vending trucks; trucks used for commercial hauling; and taxis.

Inoperable vehicles are those cars and trucks that are on jacks; have flat tires, broken windows or doors; are in a state of disassembly; or otherwise cannot be driven.

City ordinance also prohibits the parking of any vehicle on unpaved areas of residential properties.

Residential Services Department inspectors are responsible for residential private property, city-owned property and residential and commercial vacant lots.

Dearborn Police or other city departments are responsible for violations on commercial properties, public rights-of-way, sidewalks, easements, and streets. All violations can be reported to Neighborhood Services at 313.943.2161.