Board allows RV sales and service as accessory use for livestock‑trailer sites but bars third‑party RV storage

The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners voted 3‑0 Oct. 27 to approve a zoning code amendment (ZCA24‑01) to allow RV sales and RV service as accessory uses where livestock‑trailer sales and service are a permitted primary use in AR‑10 zones, but the board removed the proposed allowance for third‑party RV storage.

Staff explained the amendment would apply countywide where the primary livestock‑trailer use already exists and noted development limits that apply to the primary use: operations must be in AR‑10, be within a half‑mile of Highway 12 where applicable, have a combined footprint not exceeding 10 acres, and building area limited to 20,000 square feet. Commissioners raised concerns that including unconstrained RV storage could allow a future operator to convert agricultural land to storage lots without clear proportionality rules.

Commissioner Todd Kimball said he was inclined to permit RV sales and repair as accessory functions that are "subordinate to the primary use," while noting storage was "going too far" without guardrails. Commissioner Clayton said the amendment as written could be applied narrowly because the livestock‑trailer primary‑use finding already limits applicability, but urged codified proportionality metrics in future rulemaking. Community Development staff advised the board it could approve parts of the amendment and exclude storage; the board did so and requested Community Development and the Prosecuting Attorney prepare an ordinance reflecting the decision.

The board's motion approved RV sales and service as accessory uses tied to an existing livestock‑trailer sales and service primary use, excluded third‑party RV storage, and asked staff to prepare ordinance language and potential future rulemaking to add proportionality guardrails.