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Goldendale amends code to limit RV residency; occupancy over 14 days treated as nuisance
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 15-54 moving recreational-vehicle occupancy language into the nuisance code and clarifying that RV occupancy outside permitted parks for more than 14 consecutive days or more than 30 days per calendar year constitutes a public nuisance; the ordinance excludes accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and focuses enforcement on full-time residency.
The Goldendale City Council adopted Ordinance 15-54 to clarify residential occupancy rules for recreational vehicles (RVs). The ordinance moves existing RV language into the city’s nuisance code and designates RV occupancy — except in permitted RV parks — for more than 14 consecutive days or more than 30 days in a calendar year as a public nuisance.
Building official Robert Thompson explained the language is unchanged from prior code but is being relocated from a less-visible section into the nuisance chapter to make enforcement easier. Council members discussed the distinction between storage and full‑time residency, with one member noting that many residents store RVs in driveways or beside houses and emphasizing the council did not intend to penalize storage where permitted.
Council confirmed accessory dwelling units and ADU rules are separate and under review. A motion to adopt Ordinance 15-54 and waive the second reading was moved, seconded and approved.
Next steps: staff will publish the ordinance and continue work on a separate ADU ordinance to address accessory dwelling regulations.
