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Commission considers allowing long-term occupancy of recreational vehicles in manufactured-home parks
Summary
Staff presented a text amendment to allow recreational vehicles (RVs) for long-term residential occupancy in manufactured housing developments and certain existing parks if they meet fixed utility and safety standards; commissioners signaled support to pilot the measure but requested careful oversight.
Planning staff proposed a text amendment to the zoning code to permit long-term residential occupancy of recreational vehicles (RVs) in manufactured housing developments (mobile home parks) and on legally nonconforming pads, subject to safety and permanent utility-connection requirements.
Nut graf: The amendment would expand the definition of recreational vehicle to include towable units, require permanent utility connections and stabilization measures, and allow administrative permitting for RVs placed on existing pads inside manufactured-home developments while keeping expansion subject to special-use review.
Staff explained safety and inspection limitations for RVs—because they are manufactured as vehicles rather than buildings—and proposed language requiring permanent connections for electricity, water and sanitary disposal, chocking and stabilizing systems, and the building official's authority to require tie-downs or anchors where needed.
Commissioner Thornton, who brought the agenda directive after discussions about a small North Avenue project, said she supported the change as a pilot that could help provide immediate, lower-cost housing options. Commissioners debated whether doubling RV units on a pad (for example two RVs on a single pad) should be allowed; staff recommended against automatically increasing pad density without a formal plan-review process because of utility capacity and site constraints.
Staff also noted that existing RV campgrounds and commercial outdoor recreation are regulated separately and that the amendment would not convert temporary camping spaces to unrestricted, long-term residential lots without meeting building-safety and utility requirements.
Ending: Planning Commission recommended approval as proposed; commissioners requested more detail about how older parks (e.g., Bulldog Estates) would be treated and asked staff to prepare implementation protocols and inspection procedures ahead of final action.
