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County planner says staff drafting tighter RV and travel-trailer rules to curb proliferation
Summary
County planner Shauntice Ridley told the Planning Commission staff are drafting ordinance language to tighten rules on RVs and travel trailers, focusing on criteria for temporary placement, evidence of intent to build, time limits for recreational use, and clearer permit routes to reduce unregulated long-term placement.
Shauntice Ridley, Accomack County planner, briefed the commission on an initiating resolution from the Board of Supervisors to clarify how RVs and travel trailers are reviewed and decided. Staff said drafting is in the early stages and that they've begun collecting data from the Board of Zoning Appeals on the number of cases and types of requests.
"At last month's meeting, staff briefed the commission on an initiating resolution that was coming from the board of supervisors on travel trailers and RVs," Ridley said, noting staff aim to draft time-limited allowances and clearer criteria for when an RV can remain on a lot. Commissioners proposed options such as requiring evidence of intent to build (for example, a foundation or a complete building permit application), setting explicit time frames for recreational visitors (e.g., seasonal hunting/fishing use), and continuing to use special-use permits for temporary habitation during construction.
Commissioners and staff also discussed enforcement realities: code enforcement officers have observed widespread proliferation of occupied trailers across the county and currently address cases on a case-by-case basis via special-use permits or citations. Staff said the goal is to tighten ordinance language to reduce that proliferation while preserving practical temporary uses for property owners and visitors.
Ridley said the effort will include review of BZA precedents and might propose language for public hearing when drafts are ready. No final ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
