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Residents press council to act on rising RV encampments; staff to bring ordinance options
Summary
Multiple speakers described a surge of RVs used as long-term dwellings across North Miami and demanded a ban or stronger enforcement. Staff and council said living in RVs is already illegal and pledged to return with proposed legislative changes and enforcement pathways.
Several residents used the July 14 citizen-comment period to press the council on an increase in recreational vehicles (RVs) used as long‑term dwellings in residential neighborhoods. Speakers reported growing concentrations in District 4 and other areas, safety concerns in hurricane season and strain on neighborhood quality of life.
Code enforcement reported that inspections following the moratorium review identified roughly 155 RVs, and that only a small number lacked an administrative variance. City Attorney and staff reminded the council that living in an RV as a dwelling is already prohibited; administrative variances had been granted in limited cases to park RVs on private property.
Councilmembers and staff discussed next steps: drafting an ordinance to deny new variances, phasing out existing allowances where appropriate, increasing enforcement on unpermitted dwellings and evaluating inspection tools and legal options. Mayor and council urged the administration to return with draft language and an enforcement timetable.
Staff said they will evaluate legal constraints, coordination with code enforcement and possible measures (a ban on overnight habitation, denial of new variance permits, targeted inspections and public-safety protocols for severe weather).
