Council grants Richard Titus temporary permit to live in RV until Dec. 20, 2026

The Aransas Pass City Council approved a conditional use permit allowing a resident, Richard Titus, to temporarily live in a recreational vehicle on his property at 624 South Ryfe Street while he finishes construction of his single-family dwelling.

Planning staff explained the item was before council because the previous permit had expired and the Planning & Zoning board (PNZ) had voted to recommend approval. Titus told the council he expects to finish the upstairs in time to obtain a temporary certificate of occupancy and asked for time until Thanksgiving; council and staff discussed utilities and the need for working systems upstairs before granting occupancy.

Multiple speakers and a P&Z board member noted the distinction between allowing an RV on private property (permitted) and allowing it to be used as a residence (regulated). A legal-minded commenter pointed to Texas Local Government Code 211.003 and related precedent to argue zoning must be tied to public health and safety rather than aesthetics.

Council members made clear they had granted several prior extensions but that the permit granted on this vote would be time-limited. A motion to grant a conditional use permit until Dec. 20, 2026, was made, seconded and carried; the chair cast the deciding vote in a tie and announced the permit was approved. Council also agreed to add a future discussion item to consider ordinance changes that could allow limited hookups for RVs under defined conditions.

Titus thanked council after the vote and reiterated he intends to complete the upstairs so he can move into the dwelling; council stressed they expect no further renewals without formal ordinance changes.

The council record shows the permit was approved with the specific end date of 12/20/2026; enforcement of hookups and future policy changes were left for a later discussion item.