San Rafael Municipal Code Ch. 8.30 Vehicles Used for Human Habitation

The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section:

(1) "Camper" is a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes. A camper having one axle shall not be considered a vehicle.

(2) "House car" is a motor vehicle originally designed, or permanently altered, and equipped for human habitation, or to which a camper has been permanently attached. A motor vehicle to which a camper has been temporarily attached is not a house car, except that a motor vehicle equipped with a camper having an axle that is designed to support a portion of the weight of the camper unit shall be considered a three (3)-axle house car regardless of the method of attachment or manner of registration. A house car shall not be deemed to be a motor truck.

(3) "Motor vehicle" is a vehicle which is self-propelled.

(4) "Motor truck" is a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

(5) "Passenger vehicle" is any motor vehicle, other than a motor truck, truck tractor, or motorcycle, used or maintained for the transportation of persons.

(6) "Station wagon" is a dual purpose vehicle designed for the transportation of persons and also designed in such a manner that the seats may be removed or folded out of the way for the purpose of increasing the property, carrying space within the vehicle. The term includes, but is not limited to, types of vehicles which carry the trade names of station wagon, estate wagon, town and country wagon, and country sedan.

(7) "Trailer" is a vehicle or movable structure constructed, designed and intended for use, used or capable of being used, as a residence, place of abode, domicile or shelter or enclosure for human habitation, whether mounted permanently upon a moveable chassis, whether equipped with permanent or temporary wheels, tires or running gear, or whether susceptible of being hauled, towed, moved or transported from place to place.

(8) "Trailer coach" is a vehicle, other than a motor vehicle, designed for human habitation, for carrying persons and property on its own structure, and for being drawn by a motor vehicle.

(9) "Vehicle" is a device, conveyance or other artificial contrivance used or capable of being used as a means for transportation on land, excepting a device used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(Ord. 1019 § 1 (part), 1971).

No person shall use or occupy or permit the use of, or occupancy of, any vehicle, motor vehicle, passenger vehicle, station wagon, trailer, trailer coach, camper, house car or truck for human habitation within the city, provided that not more than one trailer, or one trailer coach, or one house car, or one camper may be placed, kept and maintained in the rear of any single-family or duplex residential building, and used for sleeping purposes only for not more than three (3) successive nights in any ninety (90) day period. Such trailer, trailer coach, camper or house car shall not be placed closer than five (5) feet to any property line or closer than ten (10) feet to any building, and the sanitary and cooking facilities therein shall not be used.

(Ord. 1019 § 1 (part), 1971).

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction as provided in Section 19(c) of the Penal Code and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense and for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00). Every violator of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a separate offense for every date such violation shall continue, and shall be subject to the penalty imposed by this section for each and every such separate offense.

(Ord. 1278 § 1, 1977).