Columbus County delays decision on RV and travel-trailer rules after extensive public comment

At a Columbus County Board of Commissioners meeting, county staff and dozens of residents took part in a public hearing on proposed rules for campers, travel trailers and RVs; commissioners voted to table the item for further review.

The hearing drew sustained public comment from residents who said unregulated RVs and camper sites are occurring on private property and in informal clusters across the county, raising concerns about privacy, traffic, road maintenance, trash, septic problems and storm safety.

The issue matters because the county is considering an ordinance to distinguish certified campgrounds (which go through a special-use process) from standalone campers and RVs placed on private property. Residents argued the ordinance could affect low-income households and long-term RV residents, while county staff and commissioners said they need clearer enforcement guidance and time to consider grandfathering and safety exceptions.

Multiple speakers described specific local impacts. An unnamed resident who said she lives on River Road in Tabor City told commissioners that a nearby parcel recently developed with multiple RV sites had…