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Seymour adopts regulatory ordinance for RV parks, sets compliance deadline of Jan. 1, 2027
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance establishing minimum standards for RV parks (site size, fencing, sewer and annual registration) and clarified an $8 infrastructure fee; existing parks must comply by Jan. 1, 2027.
The Seymour City Council voted April 16 to adopt a regulatory ordinance for RV parks that sets construction and operation standards and establishes a compliance timeline for existing parks.
City Secretary Lauren Bush presented the ordinance, which draws provisions from similar ordinances in other Texas towns. Key features include required sewer connections (no septic inside city limits), a minimum site size and spacing standards (example: maximum 15 sites per acre and a 1,500-square-foot minimum site), minimum internal road widths, and a required commercial dumpster. Staff said the rules are intended to bring all parks to a common standard and to make enforcement and utility billing consistent.
The ordinance also clarifies utility billing for parks: staff said parks with five or more RV sites will be billed at the large-commercial rate rather than a general-commercial rate to reflect higher demand; the council confirmed the city's existing $8 monthly infrastructure fee (staff corrected an earlier reference to $5) and asked that the $8 change be included in the motion. "That's not each RV. That's just the each park still gets charged that $8 infrastructure fee," staff said. The ordinance allows existing parks until Jan. 1, 2027, to come into compliance; noncompliance could result in suspension of services until requirements are met.
Council deliberations emphasized enforcement and fairness. One council member warned that the city should avoid selectively enforcing the rules, which could create public dissatisfaction, and urged staff to ensure equitable application. Another member suggested publishing the draft on the city website to allow current park operators to review and comment before implementation.
Council action: A motion to pass the ordinance, amended to include the $8 infrastructure fee, was offered and approved by a 3-0 voice vote.
Next steps: Staff will review the final text with the city attorney if required and may publish the ordinance and supporting materials to give existing park operators time to prepare for the compliance deadline. The council noted variances remain available for sites under two acres through established permitting procedures.
