Committee flags seasonal-cabin definition that effectively bans non-campsite cabins
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Summary
Zoning committee identified a change in the seasonal-cabin definition that restricts seasonal cabins to campsites, leaving other cabin types undefined and effectively prohibited; members agreed to prioritize correcting the language.
The Zoning Amendment Committee on Aug. 27 agreed to revisit a recent amendment to the seasonal-cabin definition after members said the change unintentionally excludes cabins not located on campsites.
Jesse MacAother, the town planner, explained the current definition restricts seasonal cabins to parcels within a recreational campground or camping park. "Originally, it just said a small residential structure that is used for the summer season, May 1 through October 30, and the winter season, December 15 through March 15. That was the definition. Okay. So it didn't limit to where it could be located. Right," MacAother said, describing how the previous version did not restrict location.
Under the amended definition, seasonal cabins are only allowed on a ‘‘campsite,’’ which MacAother read as "a parcel of land in a recreational campground or camping park rented for the placement of a tent, an RV, or recreational camping cabin for overnight use." Committee members said that change has the practical effect of removing other cabins from the ordinance’s definitions and therefore from permitted uses.
The committee discussed related details in the code: the seasonal-cabin definition includes a winter period (Dec. 15–March 15) and a six-consecutive-month limit intended to prevent year-round residency being claimed via rotating absences. Members noted enforcement of the seasonal-use rule typically relies on complaints; Norma Dietrich, the town’s code official, said enforcement usually occurs only after a complaint is filed.
What happened: the committee agreed the seasonal-cabin language is a significant enough issue to add to this year’s work plan. Members asked staff to prepare proposed language that either restores the prior, location-neutral definition or otherwise clarifies how cabins outside campsites should be classified.
What it means: until the language is amended, owners of cabins not sited in an official campsite may lack a clear permitting path under the town’s zoning ordinance. Committee members signaled intent to correct the definition to avoid unintentionally prohibiting common seasonal cottages and to group definitions for "seasonal cabin," "cottage" and similar terms for clarity.
Next steps: staff will draft corrected language and place it on the next meeting agenda for committee review.
