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Commission advances zoning amendments on accessory structures, extended‑stay RV parks and definitions
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed and advanced proposed zoning amendments Dec. 18 that raise an accessory-structure size limit to 600 sq ft, add a farm definition, and set rules for extended‑stay RV parks (staff proposed a 12‑month on‑site limit with a staff‑set reentry period, often 14 days). A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026.
The Charlotte County Planning Commission continued review of proposed zoning amendments at its Dec. 18 meeting, advancing draft language on accessory structures, extended‑stay RV parks and Article 12 definitions and setting public hearings for Jan. 15, 2026.
On Section 10‑3‑3 (Accessory Structures), staff presented revised text that incorporates the term "farm" and raises the size cap in subsection 10‑3‑3b to 600 square feet. Staff also proposed adding a definition of "farm" to Article 12. Resident Terry Ramsey submitted written comments urging the addition of "forestry" to subsection 10‑3‑3a and questioning limits on the size and number of accessory structures on vacant parcels and on accessory dwelling sizes in the General Agriculture district; Ramsey also urged stronger enforcement of rules.
For the new Section 10‑17 on Extended Stay RV Parks, staff recommended rewriting 10‑17‑8 to restrict how long an RV may remain on site rather than policing guests’ stays. Staff proposed a 12‑month maximum continuous presence for an RV and, in response to commissioner questions, included a clause allowing an RV to return after a specified period out of the park; commissioners discussed a 14‑day reentry standard used in other contexts and agreed by consensus to allow staff to research and set the exact number.
Article 12 was updated to require five campsites to meet the Extended Stay RV Park threshold and to add the proposed farm definition; commissioners accepted the additions by consensus. The commission postponed no items and set the Designated Growth Area public hearing and miscellaneous zoning amendment hearings for Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.
The discussion raised practical questions about monitoring long‑term occupancy in RV parks and the potential effect of accessory‑structure limits on multi‑parcel farms. Staff will return with any revised language developed after the additional research requested on the RV reentry period.
