Board forms zoning committee to draft RV/camper temporary-occupancy rules; public hearings next steps

The Buckingham County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 8 voted to form a zoning committee to draft possible ordinance changes governing temporary living in campers and recreational vehicles (RVs).

Staff told the board the county's current zoning ordinance does not allow for temporary living in campers and that circumstances vary by case. To craft a rule that accounts for different situations, staff recommended a committee and proposed members: Supervisor Gillum, Supervisor Mike Palmer, planning commissioners Johnny Bickford and Joyce Gooden, the county administrator, the county attorney and the zoning administrator.

"Currently, the zoning ordinance does not allow for temporary use of campers," the staff member said, and recommended forwarding the matter to the zoning committee for a recommendation to the planning commission. Staff outlined a likely path: the zoning committee drafts language, the planning commission holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation, and the board of supervisors would hold its own public hearing on any proposed amendment.

Board members expressed a desire to help an individual who applied to live in an RV temporarily while building a house, but they also emphasized the legal limits: changing an ordinance requires public notice and due process. One supervisor noted the fastest path would still require the planning commission to recommend and the board to conduct a public hearing, which could put any relief several months away. The planning commission scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 27; staff said the planning commission could forward a recommendation in November and the board could hold a December public hearing.

The board then adopted a motion to assemble the zoning committee and instruct staff to present proposed language to the planning commission. The motion carried; the meeting record shows the board voted in favor and moved to convene the committee.

Staff and supervisors discussed temporary options and constraints: classifying an RV as a mobile home without the required HUD certificate would violate the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, the staff member said, and county staff offered to bring the building inspector to a future meeting to address code questions. The board also discussed limiting any temporary allowance in time (for example, until a house is built) and using permitting processes to control abuse.

Ending: The zoning committee will convene and draft recommended ordinance language for the planning commission; the planning commission public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27, with a potential board public hearing in December.