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Bluff considers new RV, tiny‑house and mobile‑home rules to steer affordable housing and curb de facto parks
Summary
Attorney Chris Fagnon told commissioners he is integrating RV, mobile/modular, tiny‑house and ADU provisions into chapter 6 of the land‑use code, recommending site‑plan review for new RV parks and consistent nonconforming‑use rules; commissioners asked for clarity on density differences and options to encourage affordable housing without creating informal RV parks in residential areas.
Bluff planning commissioners reviewed a consolidated draft ordinance Thursday that would clarify where recreational vehicles, mobile homes, modular homes and tiny houses can be located and how density and nonconforming uses should be handled.
Town attorney Chris Fagnon said he has been working to integrate the RV provisions into the town’s land‑use code (chapter 6) and to standardize nonconforming‑use rules so existing RV parks or mobile home parks remain lawful but cannot expand beyond their nonconforming status. "A new RV park that comes in...should go through a site plan process," Fagnon said, adding that site‑plan review allows the town to impose conditions that make such facilities work for the community.
Commissioners questioned the draft’s differing density standards — for example, allowing one RV or tiny house per acre in residential zones while allowing one mobile home per half‑acre. Staff replied the latter matched existing residential density for stick‑built dwellings; commissioners indicated the intent is to prevent de facto RV parks in residential neighborhoods while encouraging affordable, longer‑term housing options.
Fagnon recommended treating mobile and modular homes like stick‑built dwellings for density and setback purposes and allowing tiny houses on wheels to be treated similarly to RVs in some contexts because they are often short‑term or movable. He emphasized the policy choice the commission faces between encouraging affordable housing types and preventing unintended concentrations of short‑term occupancy.
The commission agreed to request a refined draft and to aim for a Planning & Zoning vote on Dec. 4 to recommend the ordinance to town council if staff can provide a revised version in time.
