Hamblen County delays decision on allowing people to live year-round in campers after public outcry

Hamblen County commissioners voted to send the question of whether people may reside year-round in campers to a public referendum and set a May 5, 2026 election date, then later rescinded that referral and tabled related rules pending legal review.

The issue came to the commission after months of public testimony and a planning commission recommendation. The discussion centered on sanitation, fire and electrical safety, enforcement and how long families would have to secure alternative housing if the county restricts long-term occupancy of campers on private lots.

Resident Justine Jones, who identified herself as living locally, told commissioners, "This issue is not black and white ... If this is truly about safety, then let's talk about solutions to ensure safety. Instead of outright ban, why not establish regulations that address sanitation, electrical safety, and property standards?" Jones urged a pathway to compliance rather than immediate removal.

Donna Neff, another resident, described repeated local problems at a property near Long Creek Road and asked commissioners, "I need to know, are these people going to have 2 more years? Because I can't put up with 2 more years." Tom Bockey added child-safety concerns, saying he saw a young child emerge from a camper and worried about the child's living conditions.

Commission discussion ranged from calls for compassion and grandfathering of existing occupants to warnings about public-health risks and enforcement costs. Commissioner Rodney Long, who brought the ordinance forward at committee, and others said the county must balance safety and sanitation for all residents and pointed to the need for a workable enforcement plan. Commissioner Mike Richardson asked for public education about downstream consequences such as insurance and emergency-response implications.

On the floor the commission first voted to schedule a referendum at an election in May 2026, but later a motion was made and adopted to rescind that referral temporarily so county attorneys and the mayor could research whether the commission has legal authority to put the item to a public vote and whether an earlier referendum is possible. The body then voted unanimously to table both the residency section and a related section on camper storage until legal and technical questions are resolved.

The commission and staff said they intend to return with legal guidance and implementation options. Commissioners and several speakers urged the county to consider targeted enforcement against specific violations—unhooked sewer lines, multiple units on a single parcel, and reports of vicious animals—and to propose concrete compliance paths for residents who wish to stay.

For now, the planning commission proposal that would set conditions for living in campers will not take effect while the county studies the legal path to a referendum and works out enforcement and grandfathering details.