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Commission committee hears hours of public comment on proposed camper, RV and tiny‑home rules
Summary
The RV study committee heard extensive public comment and discussion on draft regulations that would limit living in campers on private property, with residents, commissioners and staff debating sanitation, grandfathering, tiny homes and enforcement; committee will continue study and seek revisions before a final vote.
The Hamblen County RV Study Committee received extended public comment and a lengthy internal discussion on draft regulations that would limit or regulate living in recreational vehicles, campers and tiny homes on private land.
Chairman Kyle Walker opened the session by saying the meeting was for discussion only and no votes would be taken at this meeting. “We are not having any vote today on anything with the campers. This is all just for discussion,” he said.
Residents and stakeholders urged the committee to adopt a humane, practical approach. Justine Jones of Old Kentucky Road told commissioners she opposed a ban on living in campers and argued it could amount to a regulatory taking and worsen homelessness. “If the county’s concern is sanitation, utilities, or safety, then let’s address those issues in a fair and reasonable way,” Jones said.
Other speakers described practical sanitation solutions and existing services. A resident identified as Albert Nix described experience working for a waste‑pump service and said many campers use holding tanks and commercial pump‑out services; another speaker, Joseph Pond, urged grandfathering for those already living in campers so long as they meet sanitation rules. Link Gibbons and other commenters urged the county to allow tiny homes and incremental steps that would help people move from campers into more permanent housing.
Code enforcement staff were present to answer technical questions. Chairman Walker and staff clarified that a builder with a valid building permit may occupy a camper during active construction provided water, sewer and power are connected and that progress on the home is demonstrated; an extension process exists for applicants who show ongoing progress.
Commissioners debated two central policy strands: rules governing living in a camper as a dwelling versus rules governing storage of campers on property. Some commissioners urged separating the two issues for clearer decisions; others warned about enforcement costs and equity if the county requires regular pump‑out receipts or inspections. “Who is going to keep track for that?” one commissioner asked, noting county code‑enforcement capacity concerns.
Several commissioners and commenters urged grandfathering current occupants and allowing tiny homes as a pathway out of camper living. Opponents of a broad ban asked the committee to focus narrowly on safety and sanitation rather than prohibiting residence outright.
The RV study committee took no final action and said members will continue refining the draft regulations, consider grandfathering provisions and examine enforcement mechanisms, fees and potential impacts on county enforcement staffing.
The committee asked planning staff and code enforcement to return with language clarifying: sanitation standards (septic, holding‑tank or dump‑station requirements), a clear grandfathering process for existing occupants, how tiny homes would be treated, and proposed enforcement procedures and estimated costs for inspections or monitoring.
