The Simi Valley City Council unanimously rejected last week an ordinance based on a recommendation by the planning commission that would have allowed unlimited parking in residential backyards, opting instead to enforce regulations already on the books.

The city allows vehicles not housed in a garage of a single-family home to be parked in the driveway and on paved areas next to the driveway and side of the house. The ordinance only will be enforced when a complaint is made.

Parking a vehicle in the back yard that’s not in a covered structure is prohibited.

City Councilmember Barbra Williamson said of her vote, "When I looked at what the planning commission proposed, it looked like the residents could cement the whole yard."

The council directed city staff to draft a regulation to ensure front yard landscaping.

If people can afford to own a boat or recreational vehicle (RV), should be able to afford storing it somewhere else, Williamson said, adding that the city wants to prevent people from essentially operating a vehicle storage business and keeping on their property big rigs or trailers to house other people.

Last month, a Simi Valley man died as the result of a fire at a single-family home. He and 14 others occupied the home and two trailers in the driveway.

Larry Fried, chair of the planning commission, said they based their proposal on input from the public, neighborhood councils and staff reports.

"Obviously it didn’t meet the expectations of the council," Fried said.

Peter Lyons, city planner, said that, as a result of complaints received over the last two years, they will be sending out about two dozen letters asking residents to comply with the city codes.