Storage of RVs, Utility Trailers or Vessels

On October 19, 2021, the City Commission adopted code changes through Ordinance 3230 prohibiting the long-term parking/storage of Recreational vehicles, utility trailers and vessels on streets within Residential Districts.  These changes go into effect on March 15, 2022. Residents currently using the street for long-term parking or storage of these items should begin looking for other permanent storage options.  This will impact vehicles listed in the Definitions portion of Title 10, Section 10.1.010.

Effective March 15, 2022, it will be unlawful for any person to park a recreational vehicle, trailer or vessel upon the public right-of-way in any residential zoning district except for the limited purpose of loading and unloading, which shall be limited to a period of no more than seventy-two (72) hours in a seven (7) day period.

To assist property owners in finding off-street parking and storage solutions for these types of vehicles, the City Commission adopted Ordinances 3232, 3239, and 3155.

• Ordinance 3232, an amendment to the Official Code of the City of Great Falls Title 17, Chapter 20 Garage and Accessory Structures, was adopted by the City Commission on September 7, 2021.  Some of the changes within this Ordinance included an increase to the maximum height of accessory structures to 24 feet for all residential zoning districts and increased the setbacks for accessory structures from two feet to five feet to balance out the larger height allowance, and an increase to the maximum square footage allowances for Cumulative Accessory Structures.
• Ordinance 3239, an amendment to the Official Code of the City of Great Falls Title 17, Chapter 32, Section 150 was adopted by the City Commission on November 2, 2021. This amendment allows property owners of alley-accessed lots to file a driveway permit to construct a single driveway of no greater than 12 feet in width and to park a single vehicle off the street to supplement whatever parking is available off the alley portion of the property.
• Ordinance 3155, an amendment to the Official Code of the City of Great Falls Title 17, Chapters 32 and 36 was adopted by the City Commission on May 16, 2017.  This amendment expanded the driveway width in front yards by 10 feet and driveways can now extend up to 40 feet.  In order to reduce costs to homeowners, the expanded driveways may utilize gravel or other non-paved materials rather than the original requirement of concrete or asphalt. This amendment also increased the maximum parking areas for alley-serviced lots and permitted gravel or non-paved materials for these areas.

If you planning to make improvements on your property and have specific questions about the Codes listed above please call Planning and Community Development at 455-8430.

Failure to abide by this Ordinance could result in a parking citation, possible immobilization or removal from the city street.  The enforcement of Ordinance 3230 will be complaint driven.  

To report a potential violation please call the GFPD 24-hour non-emergency line at 406-455-8599, or complete an Online Citizen Complaint form at: https://greatfallsmt.net/community/online-citizen-complaint-request-form. Please be patient with the process, due to limited city resources, complaints will be handled as scheduling allows.  

You can review the history, including the associated meetings, for the adopted Ordinances on the City's Ordinances page.