Terrebonne panel approves revised RV‑park rules, with exemptions south of Morganza levee

The Houma–Terrebonne Regional Planning Commission on Oct. 16 voted to approve — as amended — a revised draft of rules governing recreational‑vehicle (RV) parks and recommended the draft be forwarded to the Terrebonne Parish Council for further public hearings.

The commission’s subcommittee presented a cleaned, consolidated draft that responded to months of public comment from RV‑park owners, residents and local businesses. Commissioners said the draft keeps public‑health and safety requirements while exempting several landscaping, setback and minimum‑lot‑size rules for locations south of the Morganza‑to‑the‑Gulf hurricane protection system.

Why it matters: The change shifts where several ordinances will apply within the parish. Owners of existing RV parks will remain grandfathered, but any additions or new parks will generally have to meet the new standards or seek variances. The topic drew sustained public interest from operators and nearby residents concerned about buffers, flooding, service‑building requirements and how the rules will be enforced after storms.

What the commission approved: The motion approved the draft "as amended," which (1) adds an explicit exception for several sections in locations outside the Morganza levee; (2) adds a clarified definition of "recreational vehicle" and language establishing when an RV is "ready for highway use" (on wheels or jacking system, quick‑disconnect utilities, no permanent attachments); and (3) creates a procedure for variances and for department‑level health approvals where required. The commission also directed staff to include a map or link that shows the Morganza boundary in the draft circulated to the council.

Public comments and concerns: Operators and residents asked for clearer definitions and for predictable grandfathering. Several operators urged the commission to clarify when a service building or septic upgrade is required and whether landscaping or fences required near subdivision boundaries will be practical in low‑lying coastal areas. One long‑standing RV‑park operator recommended adding a definition that an RV must be registered and capable of highway use within 24 hours to avoid units that are permanently converted on site.

Next steps: The commission’s vote was a recommendation to the parish council; council will schedule a public hearing and may further amend the language. The commission preserved variance procedures so individual property owners can request exceptions based on site‑specific hardships.

Quotes in context: "If you're driveable, it should be registered and ready to roll," said an RV‑park operator during public comment, urging a clear, enforceable RV definition. Planning staff noted the Morganza line was chosen because it historically marked areas with distinct drainage and site constraints, and that the exemption was intended to address practical limits in those areas.

Ending: The commission’s action moves the draft to the next stage of local review; council hearings are expected in the weeks ahead and the planning department will post an updated draft and a map showing the levee boundary before the council’s public hearing.