Montana town threatening to outlaw freebie overnight "camping"
Billings, MT is threatening to enforce a section of city code prohibiting
overnight RV camping except in licensed campgrounds. The law in question has
been on the books since at least 1967. It says: "It is unlawful for any
person to park any motor vehicle for camping purposes in the city except in
an authorized tourist park." When the owners of several RV parks complained
last summer that RVs were illegally parking overnight in the two Wal-Mart
lots in Billings, city officials met with Wal-Mart representatives. As a
result, Wal-Mart posted signs in its lots informing patrons that it was
against the law to park there overnight. In addition, the stores agreed to
have their security guards put fliers explaining the law under the
windshield wipers of any RVs parked at Wal-Mart for more than four hours
after 9 p.m. or at any time past 2 a.m. But that has been the extent of
enforcing the law. City code enforcement officers have not yet issued any
citations. RVers who would like to comment on this issue can email Billings
Mayor Charles Tooley at ctooley@magicc.com SOURCE: Billings Gazette.
I will therefore be sure not to spend any cash there next summer.
|