Parking Commercial Vehicles in Residential Area

In residential zoning districts, the dwelling is considered the principal use of the property. Any other use is regarded as an accessory use. Examples of customary residential accessory uses are storage sheds, detached garages, or swimming pools. The Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance (CZO) also recognizes the parking of different motor vehicles as an accessory use. The CZO places certain prohibitions and limitations on the size of the commercial vehicles and where they can be parked on a residential lot.

Commercial vehicles are defined in Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance as follows:

Any motor vehicle used for business, industrial, office or institutional purposes or having painted thereon or affixed thereto a sign. A commercial vehicle is defined to include self-propelled vehicles, vehicles that are not self-propelled (such as utility trailers and other types of trailers designed or used to store or haul equipment and materials), and the combination of self-propelled vehicles and vehicles that are not self-propelled.

The following is prohibited in residential areas:

• The parking and storage of a commercial vehicle exceeding nine (9) feet in height or twenty-two (22) feet in length.

The following is permitted on a residential parcel consisting of one (1) acre or more:

• One self-propelled commercial vehicle exceeding the prohibited size limitations above may be parked in an enclosed garage or other enclosed accessory structure on a residential parcel consisting of one (1) acre or more as long as it is lawfully titled and registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Fences or other similar barriers are not sufficient to meet the enclosed structure intention.

The following are limitations for commercial vehicles in residential areas not exceeding the size requirements above:

• The commercial vehicle must be parked in an enclosed garage, accessory building or rear yard if any sign graphic, either attached or painted on the vehicle, exceeds ten (10) square feet in total area or if the commercial vehicle is not self-propelled such as utility trailers and any other types of trailers designed or used to store or haul equipment and materials.
• Only one (1) self-propelled commercial vehicle that does not have an attached sign graphic that exceeds ten (10) square feet in total area may be parked on or in front of any residential lot and must be used by a resident of such lot. Commercial vehicles that are not self-propelled and that are smaller than the prohibited dimensions must be parked in an enclosed garage, accessory building or rear yard.
• No portion of any signs shall project more than one (1) foot above the portion of the motor vehicle to which they are affixed.                                                                         

Updated August 17, 2022