Palo Alto city leaders are taking drastic new action many believe will soon lead to far fewer RV dwellers on city streets. Supporters of a new ordinance call the phenomenon “vanlording,” and in Palo Alto, it no longer will be tolerated. Vanlording is the practice of renting RVs that are pa rked on public streets. The new ordinance states that the practice is unregulated and thus can create inadequate living conditions for renters. City leaders say the ban targets “vanlords” with fines that are now up to $500 per violation. RVs can be towed once parked for 72-hours. One councilmember who voted against the ordinance says she fears the hardworking people who have no choice but to live in RVs will be stuck in the middle and could lose everthing. And the city will have little to show for it. “I want you to know that there aren’t enough tow lots in the area to accommodate RVs on our streets,” Palo Alto Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims said. “These are peoples’ homes, and when you take them, the city has to keep them in a lot for a month before turning them over to salvage. I wonder where we think RV dwellers should go. The RV dwellers I know have jobs, they provide services.” Lythcott-Haims also expressed frustration the city did not secure more safe parking. The city will spend as much as $4 million for signage, making people aware of the vanlording and RV parking ban. And it will focus on greater enforcement of existing ordinances. Palo Alto is the latest city to take aim at vanlording. Leaders in San Jose and Los Angeles County also recently took action. ...read more read less