Clallam County planning commission debates limits on RVs, hookups and new RV parks

Clallam County Planning Commission members spent more than an hour Wednesday discussing draft changes to county code that would tighten rules on recreational vehicles (RVs) parked or used on private property while leaving some recreational uses intact.

The discussion focused on three policy areas: limiting how many RVs can be placed on a parcel, defining when an RV is being used as a residence (and what hookups would be required), and whether county zoning should allow more licensed RV parks in non-urban areas. The commission also approved two routine items on the agenda: the Feb. 19 minutes and a bylaws amendment to remove a confusing quorum provision.

County planning staff framed the issue as an attempt to balance competing public interests. Bruce (planning staff) said the county’s concern is both aesthetic and public-health related: "There are environmental health impacts. With the proliferation of RVs, it's much, much more difficult for environmental health to keep on top of it." He told commissioners that county code now has gaps and inconsistencies — for example, when a parcel contains an existing dwelling the rules differ from a vacant lot where an RV may be placed with little regulation.

Staff outlined several options the draft code could include: allow a single RV per lot for recreational use but restrict rental of RVs on residential lots (putting rental activity into licensed RV parks), treat some RVs used…