Living on your own RV Lot

I lived in NC a couple years (Near Morganton), and mobile homes were everywhere. But I'm not surprised you cannot do this for an RV.

This very same topic has come up occasionally over the years on RV.net.

One way to get around the zoning problem is to have a small building built on the property, which is a permanent structure with compliant electric and sewer services attached to that building. That actually might be a good thing. It would give you additional storage space, somewhere to store a lawn mower, and maybe even a roof for your car.

Then run an additional "clean out" for the sewer which can double as a dump station for the RV, run a separate 30 or 50 amp line for electric service for your camper. Now you are properly zoned, you have a permanent structure, it's not disputable, and you can park your camper there and live in it as much or as little as you want. Just make sure the building meets all the requirements to be a structure that is considered "livable" ... bedroom, bathroom, kitchen. And you can park the camper there all you want.

That's how you get around it.

joelc wrote:
Does anyone know of a place where zoning lets a full-timer purchase land and put their RV on it.

Too broad a question to get good answers.

Zoning varies from county to county and from city to city within.
Even within a city or county, individual parcels sometimes have "non-standard" restrictions.

Find a place you like and then check with the zoning authority BEFORE signing any papers or putting any money down. And get the zoning opinion in writing, signed by the head zoning official.

I always thought a good idea would be to buy 3 or 4 lots around the country in places you enjoy spending time, (Mountains, beach area, desert etc)
Build a simple structure such as a metal building big enough to park the RV inside and do the minimum to make it legal for the area.
This way you can come and go as you like, park inside out of the weather, have room for extra storage and it would be easy to "weatherize" and should be pretty secure.
Guess this could be semi "full timing" but less maintenance and maybe cost vs having a big house.
You would also have investments and equity and if you ever tire of travelling, build a house on the one you like.
This may also be something you could do as a business. Probably a lot of RVers that would be interested in a "turn key" lot/building.

sit down with the zoning inspector and get the real answers . this can be done .

Can't help you on the East Coast, even though we lived there for 50 plus years. But in the Foothills area of Yuma, AZ. it is allowed. In fact we just bought a lot, modular, mobile, RV, or stick and brick allowed. Very popular here. Most RV lots have two 500 amp hookups, two water hookups, and two sewer hookups. Most people that own the lot use one side and rent out the other.

We are doing just that now New Smyrna Beach, Fl, actual area is called Samsula (google it) , we have 10 acres with a barn & semi permanent rv site with full hookups

Texas - has to be rural and read the land restrictions.

I am still looking myself. There are RV lots you can purchase in NC but are not close too the beach. Read the fine print. They are deeded lots BUT you can not live on them a full 12 months out of the year.
I would love to buy a lot, put on a pole building for the RV and have a small addition attached with small living quarters. Everything I come across around Delmarva has minimal SQ foot requirements like 1500 sf. I am comfortable in less than 300. No HOA, no association fees, no sewer, etc. I know......keep dreaming.

I see this kind of thing a lot in rural areas of Wisconsin.

midnightsadie wrote:
sit down with the zoning inspector and get the real answers . this can be done .

X2, and you can always apply for a variance. Municipalities and counties grant them all the time under the right circumstances. You just have to understand why the rules are in place to begin with and present a good case.

midnightsadie wrote:
sit down with the zoning inspector and get the real answers . this can be done .

X3

Most rural areas, my experience has been that those guys see their job as protecting the homeowner from unscrupulous building contractors. If you come in and ask for assistance, be honest with them about what you'd like to do, and be willing to live by the rules, whatever they happen to be, they will help you figure out how to do what is needed to stay safe and legal.