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Deschutes County adopts ordinance allowing RVs as rental dwellings, effective immediately
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2025-004 on an emergency basis to allow recreational vehicles as rental dwellings in specified rural and urban-zone locations, and set development standards including minimum lot sizes, placement, defensible-space and emergency access requirements.
Deschutes County commissioners voted unanimously May 7 to adopt Ordinance 2025-004, allowing recreational vehicles (RVs) to be used as rental dwellings in specified zones and on specified lot sizes, effective immediately under emergency adoption.
The ordinance implements changes authorized by Senate Bill 1013 to permit RVs as rental dwellings in certain rural residential and Bend urban-area zones. Under the ordinance the county will allow RV rental dwellings on lots meeting minimum-size thresholds: generally a two-acre minimum and a five-acre minimum in parts of South County identified for groundwater sensitivity. The county estimated about 7,500 parcels would meet baseline eligibility under those acreage and zone criteria.
The board and planning staff said the ordinance mirrors standards already used for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in several respects. RVs must be located within 100 feet of the primary dwelling, must sit at least 10 feet from other structures, and must meet setbacks required by the underlying zone. The ordinance requires either a 20-foot radius of noncombustible surface (gravel, pavement or mowed grass) around the RV or written approval from the local fire protection district of an alternative defensible-space plan. Emergency-access standards follow ADU rules: driveway width of about 12 feet with a 20-foot horizontal clearance, vertical clearance of about 13.5 feet, and an all-weather surface — or written confirmation from the fire district that alternative access is adequate.
Planning staff said the land-use permit fee for an RV rental dwelling will follow the county’s ADU permit fee (staff cited roughly $800–$900 in discussion). On-site wastewater (septic) requirements will be reviewed case by case; staff and county on-site wastewater staff told commissioners that in many circumstances smaller RV flows may be easier to accommodate than a full additional dwelling but that approvals depend on individual site review.
The ordinance limits where RV rental dwellings may be used. The county noted the state law enabling RV rental dwellings does not apply on Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) land; the county code changes do not authorize RV rental dwellings in EFU zones. The measure also includes clerical updates to definitions and ensures references match recently adopted clear-and-objective code editing.
Why it matters: Commissioners and planning staff described the ordinance as a new, relatively low-cost housing option for rural Deschutes County that is more flexible than a conventional ADU and easier to site than new home construction, while adding standards intended to reduce wildfire and emergency-access risks. The county will publish web guidance, application checklists and permit forms, and staff said they are ready to accept pre-applications and land-use applications immediately.
What’s next: The board adopted the ordinance by emergency vote, making it effective immediately. Planning staff said they will post the county web guidance and forms and offer application assistance; they also plan a press release and public-facing materials with checklists and links.
