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Luna County tightens RV and manufactured-home occupancy rules, limiting repeated short-term permits
Summary
The commission adopted an amendment to county Ordinance 77 to restrict repeated 30-day dry‑camping permits and shorten wet‑camping utility hookups from 240 to 180 days per year, citing neighborhood impacts and code‑enforcement abuses.
The Luna County Commission unanimously adopted Resolution 25-74 on Oct. 16 to amend Ordinance 77, narrowing how residents and visitors may use recreational vehicles (RVs) and manufactured homes on county parcels.
County attorney Chuck explained the changes during the meeting, saying the amendment targets repeated short-term permits and long-term occupancy that have strained neighborhoods and code enforcement. "Right now...people go for 30 days, and then the permit expires, and they drive to Las Cruces for the night, and then they come back and get another 30 day permit," he said, describing how that practice can lead to effectively continuous occupancy. The amendment limits dry‑camping 30‑day permits except for specified reasons (for example, caregiving) and reduces the maximum annual wet‑camping allowance (utility hookups) from 240 to 180 days.
Why it matters: County staff told the commission that the existing language allowed repeated permits that let some individuals occupy RVs for extended, unintended periods (examples given included consecutive 240‑day permits across the new year). Commissioners said the change is intended to curb those abuses and reduce negative neighborhood impacts while preserving limited exceptions for bona fide needs.
Key details: - Dry-camping (no utilities): standard 30-day permit remains, but repeated back-to-back renewals on the same parcel will be constrained and require justification (caregiving, seasonal work, documented need). - Wet-camping (utilities hooked up): annual allowance reduced from 240 days to 180 days; staff will monitor impacts and report back. - Enforcement: Code enforcement will continue with permitting and will evaluate repeat permit requests under the new limits.
Reaction: Commissioners supported the amendment as a targeted fix. County attorney Chuck framed the change as a response to "abusers" of the permit system and neighborhood complaints. No public comment opposed the amendment during the item.
Next steps: Staff will publish the amended ordinance language, update permit forms and return with enforcement guidance and outcomes in future reports.
Attribution: Quotes and details drawn from the county attorney’s presentation at the Oct. 16 commission meeting.
