Battle Ground City Council Debates 30-Year-Old RV and Trailer Parking Ordinance

Council members consider updating code to allow more flexibility for residents to park RVs and trailers on their property.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Battle Ground City Council discussed potential changes to a 30-year-old municipal code regarding the parking of RVs, trailers, and boats on residential properties. The current code restricts parking to behind the front building line, but council members expressed a desire to provide more flexibility for homeowners. Several options were presented, including allowing one RV or trailer in the driveway, permitting parking in the front yard, or allowing multiple vehicles. The council leaned towards a combination approach and directed city staff to draft updated code language for further review.

Why it matters

This debate highlights the tension between municipal regulations and residents' desires to store their recreational vehicles on their own property. As Battle Ground grapples with increasing density and growth, the council is weighing homeowner rights against potential impacts on neighborhood aesthetics and safety.

The details

Battle Ground's current municipal code, adopted in 2004 but originally added in 1995, requires that storage of RVs, trailers, and boats be kept behind the front building line of the primary dwelling. The council discussed several options, including leaving the code as-is, allowing one RV/trailer in the driveway, permitting parking in the front yard, or allowing multiple vehicles. Council members expressed a desire to provide more flexibility for homeowners, citing the challenges of smaller lots and the desire for residents to enjoy their recreational vehicles.

  • The current municipal code was adopted in 2004, with the original section added in 1995.
  • The city council discussed potential changes to the code during a meeting on February 2, 2026.

The players

Eric Overholser

The mayor of Battle Ground, who presided over the city council discussion and expressed concerns about sight line obstructions from parked RVs and trailers.

Dennis Flynn

The Battle Ground Police Chief, who provided a presentation to the council on the current code language and suggestions for potential changes.

Brian Munson

A city council member who advocated for more flexibility, stating that residents should be able to do what they want with their own property.

Troy McCoy

A city council member who supported allowing one RV or trailer in the driveway, while also expressing concerns about safety and sight line obstructions.

Kris Swanson

The Battle Ground City Manager, who advised the council on how a code change should be written.

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What they’re saying

“Just to be clear, as well, as far as our job today as council is not to come up with a decision and have a motion and vote on it today, but merely give staff the direction to start to draft something that we can review.”

— Eric Overholser, Mayor (The Reflector)

“As you get older, and you are able to accrue some of the nicer things in life, you look at these lots that we have now, and there's just not a means for people to be able to grow and do the fun things with their family and their kids.”

— Brian Munson, City Council Member (The Reflector)

“We need to let them do what they want to do. And I understand that could open up the opportunity for what some might call blight, but it's still their property.”

— Brian Munson, City Council Member (The Reflector)

What’s next

Once a code change is drafted, council members will review the proposed language for a motion or further direction at a later date.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing municipal regulations with homeowner rights and desires, especially as communities grapple with changing demographics, density, and the evolving needs of residents. The Battle Ground City Council is seeking to find a compromise that provides more flexibility for residents while also addressing potential impacts on neighborhood aesthetics and safety.