Large Vehicle Parking Referral

At a glance

What: A referral by Councilmember Taplin (co-sponsors Blackaby and Humbert) on long-term large vehicle parking, including RVs, in the public right-of-way.
Where it stands: Approved July 7, 2026 as revised, 7-2.
Next: City Attorney and City Manager reviews and a staff return with draft policy and enforcement recommendations.

Item 8, reviewed by the Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Committee, which sent it with a Qualified Positive recommendation to articulate how the amendments fit State law.
Recommendations: (1) refer a review of Berkeley Municipal Code 12.98 to authorize abatement of abandoned vehicles that create public health and safety nuisances, clarify "abandoned", and give the City Manager more discretion on abatement timelines; (2) study recent Bay Area legislation on large vehicle parking and return with regionally consistent, operationally feasible policy, including joining a county-wide RV parking program or a neighboring city's program and geographically targeted restrictions in "M" industrial zones and sensitive water resources such as lagoons and riparian corridors; (3) ask the City Attorney and City Manager how the encampment resolution policy intersects with the municipal code when no shelter is available; (4) draft an ordinance amending BMC 7.18.010 so the City Manager can approve contracts up to $250,000 for abatement of abandoned, dismantled or inoperative vehicles.
11 speakers. Kesarwani was added as a co-sponsor. Taplin submitted revised materials at the meeting.
Motion (Taplin/Humbert) to approve the revised item with a minor wording change to recommendation 2.d. Vote: Ayes - Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, O'Keefe, Blackaby, Humbert; Noes - Lunaparra, Ishii.

Referral approved as revised, 7-2.