Stephens County adopts land‑use ordinance changes, lifts moratorium on RV and trailer parks

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners on second reading adopted changes to the county land‑use ordinance and promptly voted to lift a four‑month moratorium on accepting applications for travel trailer parks, RV parks and campgrounds.

County staff told commissioners the second reading reflected no changes from the first reading and that the principal revisions separate manufactured‑home districts and recreational‑park districts, and add site‑planning and required amenity standards for recreational park districts.

The changes were advertised and underwent a previously held public hearing. During the meeting a staff presenter confirmed the edits were grammatical in part and intended to clarify rules now that manufactured‑home and recreational‑park uses are separate zoning districts.

After the adoption vote the board considered a resolution to lift the moratorium that had paused new application intake while the ordinance work was completed. Commissioners said the moratorium had been intended to give staff time to draft workable rules; with the ordinance adopted, the motion to lift the moratorium carried.

County staff characterized the decision as a regulatory reopening that will allow prospective campground and RV park applicants to resume the application process under the revised standards. No vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript and staff noted the moratorium would have expired in four days if no action were taken.

The board authorized the chair to sign the adoption resolution. The ordinance will be implemented under the county’s normal permit and enforcement processes; staff said additional guidance and application materials would be provided to applicants.