Council adopts ordinance deleting size limits from recreational-vehicle definition in Snyderville Basin code

The Summit County Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 990 on Feb. 26, amending section 10-11-1 of the Snyderville Basin Development Code to remove explicit dimensional limits from the code’s definition of “recreational vehicle.” The ordinance deletes the 9-feet-wide and 35-feet-long restrictions from the definition and makes a minor wording clarification requested during the meeting.

County planner Laura (staff) told the council that an applicant had asked for the change to prevent size limits in the code from inadvertently disqualifying modern RVs. Laura said the change was intended to “remove that, that language from the definition,” and noted the redline in the draft ordinance had a display error in the packet. The applicant, Scott Roberts of Roberts Resorts and Communities, said his firm bought the Kimball Junction RV park about three years ago and is planning upgrades. “We're about to make, you know, $56,000,000 investment improving the clubhouse and improving the lots,” Roberts told the council. He said the size limits could have conflicted with contemporary RV lengths and that removing the dimension would avoid repeated code amendments.

Council members discussed whether to replace the deleted dimensions with new numbers or to remove them entirely. Staff recommended removing the fixed size limits to avoid repeated amendments as RV designs change. Council members also requested a wording clarification to use the term “travel trailer” in one clause; staff confirmed that the county’s existing rules for time limits remain in place. Laura and staff confirmed that recreational-vehicle parks remain subject to other code provisions, including spacing and a 30-consecutive-day occupant limit in RV parks.

Council member Roger moved adoption of the ordinance and Candace seconded. The motion directed staff to revise exhibit A to remove the numerical limits (the 9-foot and 35-foot references) and to submit the final ordinance for the council chair’s signature. The council approved the motion.

Why it matters: The change updates local code to reflect modern RV sizes and removes a numerical constraint that the applicant said could block permitted improvements at an existing RV resort at Kimball Junction. It also clarifies that RV parks remain subject to existing setbacks and time-limit rules.

The council took the item in a public hearing, received no public comments, and approved the ordinance with the exhibit revisions requested on the dais.