Lake City, FL = Anti-RV City

[jobriant]

The city of Lake City, FL is now rigorously enforcing its Anti-RV "No Overnight RV Parking" ordinance. It prohibits sleeping in a recreational vehicle in any location that isn't specifically approved for this activity. The way the requirements are written, no place in the city will qualify other than licensed commercial RV parks.

The law has been only sporadically enforced in the past.

The following article appeared in the Lake City Reporter on Friday, January 28, 2011.

Lake City Reporter > News > NO CAMPING

The article contains the usual inaccurate and misleading statements, from the campground owner who lobbied for renewed enforcement of this law.

Personally, I've added Lake City, FL my own list of Anti-RV cities, and that means I will not visit nor spend any money in this city.

[Wizard]

I don't want to sleep on a city street anyway so fine by me.

I'll go there , some fine antique shops there that we have been wanting to check out.
Nice little campground out where 441 crosses I-10

[Irover]

I Feel the Same Way! I don't use Walmarts much to overnight in, just in a pinch, when I can't find anything close to the route I am on. Here Is another one of enforced no parking. Plattsburgh, N.Y. Walmart also caused by an RV ParK Owner complaint. I won't name the Park because it now has new owners. Hope they don't do this all over America. Irover

[two-niner]

Man, it is getting ugly.

They won't let me park at my daughters condo on the beach at Fort Lauderdale either. Now what ?

Kerry

[edj]

Originally Posted by two-niner

Man, it is getting ugly.

They won't let me park at my daughters condo on the beach at Fort Lauderdale either. Now what ?

Kerry

Completely understandable. Most condo parking areas are quite small. I would barely fit in any of them with my longbed 2500 Ram truck. There are no shortages of CG's around Fort Lauderdale for you to put your RV.

[offthewall]

Originally Posted by jobriant

The city of Lake City, FL is now rigorously enforcing its Anti-RV "No Overnight RV Parking" ordinance. It prohibits sleeping in a recreational vehicle in any location that isn't specifically approved for this activity. The way the requirements are written, no place in the city will qualify other than licensed commercial RV parks.

The law has been only sporadically enforced in the past.

The following article appeared in the Lake City Reporter on Friday, January 28, 2011.

Lake City Reporter > News > NO CAMPING

The article contains the usual inaccurate and misleading statements, from the campground owner who lobbied for renewed enforcement of this law.

Personally, I've added Lake City, FL my own list of Anti-RV cities, and that means I will not visit nor spend any money in this city.

Completely understandable IMHO. I wouldn't want people camping on the streets of my town. I suppose it's nice if there is a Walmart available if you need it in pinch but personally I've never done it and certainly would never make it a lifestyle.

[edj]

I don't think that the towns/cities that ban overnight camping in the Walmarts, parking lots or streets care if they are labeled "RV Unfriendly". They have a pretty good feel for the markets and know that most (if not all) people free-loading in their town are not likely to hang around long or spend much. The local town govt will cater to their own residents over transients.

[powerboatr]

lake city florida has always been a bit left of center, even back in the late 80's they were very negative towards RV's and military



weird little place we used to go through to cut off some time on the way to itchnutucknee (sp)

[Norm4015]

Here is the latest news from Lake City:

Lake City, FL (Posted Feb 03, 2011 07:45 am)

The Observer learned early Wednesday evening that the RV no parking issue at the Lake City Walmart, which has gone viral on the net and done nothing more than cause ill will for Lake City and Columbia County, is soon to be gone with the wind. A call to Wendell Johnson, Lake City’s straight talking City Manager, confirmed the tip was soon to become a reality and the signs at Walmart are going to be coming down. (03:40 pm - The Observer has learned that at approximately 11:20 am today the City Manager announced the signs were down)

[DBOL]

Originally Posted by edj

I don't think that the towns/cities that ban overnight camping in the Walmarts, parking lots or streets care if they are labeled "RV Unfriendly". They have a pretty good feel for the markets and know that most (if not all) people free-loading in their town are not likely to hang around long or spend much. The local town govt will cater to their own residents over transients.

LOL us free Loaders are back in Business!

[Wayne M]

I do not sleep on city streets nor have I ever stayed at a Walmart parking lot. I don't plan to. However, I like the option open just in case a situation arises where I do have to stay in such a place overnight. So I am against bans, and I am for a fair amount of boycotting.

Many years ago, a military installation was admonished because the military members were causing "problems in town." The commander of the military installation put the town "off limits." The townspeople then complained of off limits and all griping stopped and the off limits was lifted. So bans can work, but only if there is a high rv travel stop in that area.

[DannyB1954]

Land of the free and home of the brave?
True democracy is two wolves and a chicken voting on what is for dinner.
A little bit of morality needs to be inserted into the mix.
If the city had an area, (like in a fair ground parking lot), where people could park for a limited time while traveling, I could agree with a restriction. But to say that if you do not patronize our RV park(s) at whatever they choose to charge, (if they will even accept a 11 year old rig), then don't stop here.
I think that is a violation of a freedom to move about the country, and politically exclude those with limited funds. I am sure their law is aimed at squatters, but a lot of decent retired people who are just traveling can be harmed with this policy as well.

[edj]

Originally Posted by DannyB1954

Land of the free and home of the brave?
True democracy is two wolves and a chicken voting on what is for dinner.
A little bit of morality needs to be inserted into the mix.
If the city had an area, (like in a fair ground parking lot), where people could park for a limited time while traveling, I could agree with a restriction. But to say that if you do not patronize our RV park(s) at whatever they choose to charge, (if they will even accept a 11 year old rig), then don't stop here.
I think that is a violation of a freedom to move about the country, and politically exclude those with limited funds. I am sure their law is aimed at squatters, but a lot of decent retired people who are just traveling can be harmed with this policy as well.

The fact that it is the land of the free means that if the RVer does not like the policies/rules/laws of a certain area, they are free to move on down the road to the next area. The same goes for the towns; they are free to put whatever restrictions on the lands/roads in that town that they want. If they go too far, the local citizens will take the necessary steps in the next election cycle.

Why is it that some RVers feel they are entitled to a free parking area to stay overnight?

[two-niner]

So, let me get this straight. Lake City, FL has an ordnance (law) on it's books that say "No overnight RV parking" (unless permitted).
Now it is not going to enforce the law.

I used to taxi aircraft to the Lake City airport and stay in town overnight. I don't remember it being a place where there is overnight street parking available. That was in the 80's. I guess things change.

How many people have overnighted in Lake City ?? Is there a shortage of RV Campgrounds in the area ?? Politically exclude those with limited funds, give me a break. What about those bridges marked "No vehicles over 8 tons" allowed". LOL

Kerry