Summary
Non-operative vehicles and commercial vehicles may not be parked anywhere on the property except inside a garage. Recreational vehicles (boats, campers, trailers, ATVs, motor homes, snowmobiles, minibikes) may not remain in driveways or yards for more than 72 hours in any one-week period — garage storage is permitted. No vehicles may be parked over public walkways. Vehicles in disrepair must not be left in driveways; repairs must be done inside the garage.
Applicable Rules
| Rule | Source | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Non-operative vehicles must be in garage only | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| Commercial vehicles must be in garage only | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| No vehicles parked over public walkways | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| RVs, boats, campers, trailers, ATVs, motor homes, snowmobiles, minibikes: max 72 hours in driveways/yards per week | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| Vans and minivans are NOT classified as recreational vehicles | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| Garage storage of recreational vehicles is permitted | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| Vehicles in disrepair must not be in driveways; repairs done in garage | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
| No vehicular traffic or parking on Community Areas except as Board permits | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4 |
Definition: Commercial Vehicle
A “commercial vehicle” means any vehicle or wheeled equipment bearing any sign, logo, or writing relating to a commercial enterprise, AND/OR meeting any of these criteria:
- One-ton chassis or more
- Storage box 10 feet or higher from ground to top
- More than 96 inches (8 feet) wide
Maintenance and emergency vehicles are excepted.
City of West Chicago vs. HOA Standard
The City of West Chicago Home Occupation standards permit one commercial vehicle to be stored outdoors, provided it does not exceed 8,000 lbs and bears a B-truck or lower license plate. Additional commercial vehicles or those exceeding the weight limit must be stored in an enclosed structure.
The HOA R&Rs Section 4 are stricter: commercial vehicles must be inside the garage — there is no outdoor exception. Homeowners with a home occupation who believe the city standard applies should be aware that the HOA rule governs within Prestonfield and requires garage storage regardless of the city allowance. Source: west-chicago-home-occupation
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022-07-21 | Executive session: RV fine of $700 imposed on homeowner who did not appear at requested hearing. RV observed parked in driveway for 7 weeks, 4 days/week — exceeding the 72-hour/week limit. Fine calculated as $25/day × 4 days/week × 7 weeks = $700. Note: this exceeded the R&Rs $500 continuing-violation cap — an oversight at time of imposition. Source: minutes-2022-07-21 |
| 2022-11-21 | Executive session: homeowner requested reduction of July 2022 RV fine. Board agreed to reduce from $700 to $400 as goodwill. The reduction also corrected the oversight of having imposed a fine above the $500 cap. Source: minutes-2022-11-21 |
| 2026-10-01 | Box truck in a driveway — no action. The Board asked whether a violation could be sent for a box truck parked in a driveway. MC cautioned that the truck may be legal and that the Commercial Vehicle restriction may not be enforceable; if the truck is parked over the sidewalk, that is a City ordinance violation (see “No vehicles may be parked over public walkways” above). No motion; address not recorded per Hard Rule 11. Source: minutes-2026-10-01 |
Open Questions
- Enforceability of the commercial-vehicle restriction. At the October 1, 2026 meeting MC said the Board may not be able to enforce the R&Rs’ Commercial Truck restriction against a box truck. The minutes do not say why (e.g., the vehicle’s weight or plates, the city’s one-commercial-vehicle allowance in west-chicago-home-occupation, or the R&Rs’ wording), so whether the HOA rule can be applied to box trucks is unconfirmed.