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Craven County planning staff ask commissioners to set public hearing on draft RV-park ordinance

Craven County Board of Commissioners · November 17, 2025

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Summary

Planning staff presented a draft Recreational Vehicle (RV) park ordinance that would regulate parcels with more than two RVs and set design and sanitation standards; the board voted to set a public hearing for Jan. 5, 2026 to solicit public comment.

Planning staff presented a draft ordinance on Nov. 17 that would regulate RV parks in Craven County and asked the Board of Commissioners to set a public hearing for Jan. 5, 2026.

Planner II Donnie LaValle said the ordinance is modeled on the county's mobile home park rules and would apply to any parcel with more than two RVs. Key design requirements in the draft include interior hard-surfaced drives at least 20 feet wide, two parking spaces per RV space, a minimum five-space guest parking area, screened dumpsters, lighting for safety, utilities (septic or sewer with pump-out stations, electric and water with quick disconnects), a recreation area roughly 8% of park area, setbacks of 30 feet front/20 feet side/25 feet rear, a vegetative buffer around the perimeter, and an opaque fence of at least 6 feet.

LaValle said existing RV groupings would generally be grandfathered unless an owner discontinues use for six months or expands the number of spaces, in which case the site must comply with the new ordinance. Commissioners asked about the number of existing noncompliant sites; planning staff estimated "dozens," possibly 50–100, and emphasized the draft is aimed mainly at future growth rather than retroactively curing existing conditions unless a site is abandoned or enlarged.

Commissioners raised concerns about emergency access, mail delivery and sanitary waste disposal; several said the proposed standards (drive widths, utilities and designated office/mail points) were intended to reduce those safety and public‑health risks. The board voted to set the public hearing for Jan. 5, 2026. Planning staff said the planning board will review the ordinance Dec. 9 and staff will refine the draft ahead of public notice.