Clallam County closes oral testimony on proposed RV ordinance, leaves written record open to Nov. 25

The Clallam County Board of Commissioners closed oral testimony on a proposed update to Title 33 that would regulate long-term occupancy of recreational vehicles and park-model units, but voted Nov. 10 to keep the written public record open until Nov. 25 and delay final action.

The board opened a public hearing after a staff presentation from Bruce Summers, director of community development, who framed the draft as an effort to balance public-health and environmental protections with housing realities. Summers told commissioners he recommended removing a proposed 180-day occupancy limit (Section 33.58.020(5)) from the draft because it would be difficult to enforce and could “put us in a position of actually having to evict people, possibly, out of the only house that they can afford.”

Why it matters: The draft ordinance would change definitions and accessory‑housing rules, add sewer and power connection requirements for occupied RVs, and limit visible occupancy in some cases. Supporters of the changes said the county needs enforceable standards for sanitation and critical areas; opponents said the draft would criminalize low‑income residents who rely on RVs or park models for housing and raised concerns about enforcement costs and displaced people becoming unsheltered.

During the public comment period, dozens of residents, property owners and realtors gave oral testimony. Speakers who identified themselves in the record included Deborah Fussen, who said she lived in an RV for five years after her husband’s death and uses RV parking on her property to help a tenant afford housing; Kelly Sanders, a local teacher and landlord who said RV spots can create stable, affordable arrangements for families; and multiple residents who urged the board to scrap the 180‑day limit and consider alternatives such as hardship permits, tiny‑home zones or assistance to bring units up to health-and-safety standards.

Opponents also warned of unintended consequences. “If you force someone whose only option is to live in an RV to relocate,” said a commenter, “you’re potentially encouraging squatters or causing people to move to locations where they won’t be noticed until environmental harm has occurred.” Supporters of stricter rules said unregulated RV occupancy can threaten neighbors’ property values and local infrastructure and cited illegal dumping as an enforcement problem.

Summers and commissioners discussed enforcement options: occupied RVs seeking longer-term use would be routed through Environmental Health for septic and sewage requirements, and the draft would ban open discharge of gray/black water. Summers noted the planning commission had recommended a 180‑day cap but that enforcement without a permit or registry would be difficult.

After hearing two dozen speakers in the meeting room and numerous remote comments, the board voted to close oral testimony but to continue accepting written comments and other submissions until Nov. 25 so staff can compile a fuller record. The board also signaled it intends further internal work sessions and may remand the draft back to the planning commission for additional revision.

What’s next: The record will remain open for written comment through Nov. 25; the board intends to consider revisions and possible adoption at a later regular meeting. No final ordinance vote was taken Nov. 10.