St. Johns County cracking down on illegally parked boats, campers

Residents say they hadn't heard of SJC ordinance until notices recently issued

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – St. Johns County has started cracking down on a seldom enforced ordinance after getting complaints about people illegally parking boats and campers in their front yards. 

The law was passed back in the 1970s, but many people told News4Jax that they've lived in the county for years and have never heard about it.

In the St. Augustine South neighborhood off U.S. 1 in St. Augustine South, it's evident that many residents like to boat and camp. On Wednesday, boats could be seen in driveways and in yards.

Recently, a few people found notices on their doors, saying their boats and campers were illegally parked. The county said it received hundreds of anonymous complaints from one person in the area, so code enforcement came out and gave some people written notices. 

But not everyone got the message. Clarence Hutto, who has lived in St. Augustine South for more than 30 years, told News4Jax he moved to the area because he thought there was no homeowner association or restrictions on parking boats and campers.

"None before. We have the camper parked there, we had a 12-foot motorcycle trailer parked there (in) the exact exact same spot. So nobody has informed us about any type of ordinance," Hutto said. "(It's) very, very frustrating."

As for the ordinance, it depends on what zone you live in. The St. Augustine South area is in residential zone 3, so a recreational vehicle -- such as a boat or camper -- must be parked 25 feet away from the property line in the front yard. If it’s parked on the side or in a backyard, it must be 3 feet away from the property line.  

VIEW: Where detached accessory structures can be parked in yardsChart explaining zoning districts and lot requirements

After recent complaints and concerns, county officials told News4Jax that the Board of County Commissioners has asked staff to take a look at the ordinance and review it for necessary updates or edits. That should be coming forward in the next couple of months.

St. Johns County residents can search their address to find their property's zoning by visiting http://www.gis.bocc.co.st-johns.fl.us/imap/.