Chesterfield County extends moratorium on new mobile-home parks after public concerns

Chesterfield County Council on the evening of its first 2026 meeting voted to extend an emergency moratorium temporarily halting issuance of permits for the establishment of mobile-home parks, RV parks and subdivisions.

Madam Chair moved the measure, which was seconded by Mr. Smallwood and approved by voice vote. The action came after public comment from Lloyd Pierce, manager of Forest Hills Mobile Home Park and Laney Road Mobile Home Park, who said the owners had invested about $600,000 in acquisition and renovations and asked whether the moratorium prevents moving in used but renovated homes. "We normally bring in mobile homes that are made between the year 2010 and 2016," Pierce said, adding that replacing older units with renovated units is central to his business model.

County staff and the attorney said a 2024 ordinance already requires that when replacing old units in existing parks, counties must move in new mobile homes; staff clarified the current moratorium is focused on permitting new establishments rather than routine replacements within existing parks. The council said it will review the specific questions raised, ask planning and zoning to examine the issue, and schedule a public follow-up meeting so residents and operators can comment.

The extension preserves the county's ability to consider changes to mobile-home, RV-park and subdivision rules while staff and PD COG prepare recommendations intended to address park design, layout and replacement standards.

Madam Chair said the council is trying to balance safety and community character with housing availability and encouraged Mr. Pierce and other interested residents to attend the forthcoming planning-and-zoning meeting when PD COG's report is presented.

The council approved the moratorium extension by voice vote with no recorded roll call. The council directed staff to continue studying the issue and to publicize follow-up meetings for public input.