Camping on my lot against zoning law

[horizons196]

Greetings I’m new to the forum and enjoying it alot, however I can’t find an answer anywhere. What will happen to me when cops say I can’t live here. It’s on my lot in a small town of 10k. There’s No house, just a garage with electric. Ive lived in this camper in plain view for 5 months now. I park in the driveway, fill the tank with my neighbors hose and empty the septic in my drain with no complaints. it’s great so far, just not zoned for camper living. Will I get a fine, ordinance violation, or just a warning? How long would I have to leave? I’m so worried I’ve buried my power line and sealed my windows.

[Tvov]

I was wondering about that... what do you mean by "drain"?? If it is a sewer drain, then you are probably fine.

If it is a storm drain / rainwater drain, you can get in a lot of trouble.

You know at least one neighbor who doesn't seem to have a problem with what you are doing. What about the other neighbors? If no one has a problem, then keep on what you are doing without bothering anyone... but....

As others have posted, have a backup plan and location in mind, as you seem to know that parking where you are is probably not within zoning.

[troubledwaters]

"If" emptying your sewer in your "drain" means what I am thinking it does, your days are numbered. That is a big no no. You will get a Cease and Desist order immediately upon discovery, and probably ticketed to boot; as well you should.

[mooky_stinks]

You say you empty your "septic" in your drain? Sounds like a huge violation right there going by your description of a "garage with electricity,"

[Horsedoc]

Be a good citizen and neighbor always. Whether or not your zoning allows this is a factor, as well as HOA rules allow. If you have been doing this for 5 months, chances are the HOA is not there or not aware. Condition of the RV and how the 'site' looks goes a long way when dealing with government officials

[timmac]

horizons196 wrote:
Greetings I’m new to the forum and enjoying it alot, however I can’t find an answer anywhere. What will happen to me when cops say I can’t live here. It’s on my lot in a small town of 10k. There’s No house, just a garage with electric. Ive lived in this camper in plain view for 5 months now. I park in the driveway, fill the tank with my neighbors hose and empty the septic in my drain with no complaints. it’s great so far, just not zoned for camper living. Will I get a fine, ordinance violation, or just a warning? How long would I have to leave? I’m so worried I’ve buried my power line and sealed my windows.

Not having running water and living in the RV in the driveway could be a issue down the road.

What you need to do is have a water line installed to the garage since you already have electric and sewer as you said than try and park the RV behind the garage than I see no issues..

You need to stay on the low and have all the hookups, when the city does show up you will never get them off your back if you have no running water with RV in driveway..

[Grit_dog]

I take the OPs post as he knows living in his camper is not legit but hasn't had issues yet.
1. STFU and keep your neighbors happy.
2. You already know you days are numbered so figure it out before it becomes an issue. Could be a week or could be a year, but it's most likely not going to be forever unless there's more to the story.
3. It sounds like a smaller lot if your neighbors garden hose reaches your camper, unless it's like 10 hoses, so if you don't have water and you don't have a house or the ability to make something that meets code and its in town, see suggestion number 2.

[NoVa_RT]

I recommend contacting an attorney whose practice includes zoning issues. If you bring your situation to the attention of the local government, it may be hard pressed to ignore your non-compliance, even if the normal practice is to only act in response to a complaint, especially if you’re discharging sewage in a prohibited manner. If you already know you’re in violation, you may be on borrowed time, but there may be options. Probably worth it to find out on your schedule, not when the government decides to act.

[down_home]

We ran into the same situation in Coldwater Michigan, on Wife's deceased Father's property. neighbor across the street had the city send us a letter that we could not park our motorhome on it. Spent 10,00-.00 on preparing the lot, near the water.On top of that she had been going into the old house and leaving food for feral cats, then complaining to the city about the cats. We would only be there maybe a week or two with full hookups in the summer.
We ended up selling it. She cost us over 50,000.00. The people we sold it too put a real big modular home on it. I bet that frosted her cake. She and neighbors wanted it for their parking lot for friends and family It was about an acre in size.
Space is your friend: buy a nice piece of property in a county with fire service to save ins money.
And build whatever suits your fancy for home and RV.
We have a small ten acre lot, but no preparations to park the mh. Too many springs. We keep in storage formerly with full service, inside, we will do that soon as another facility opens...but no zoning ordinances, and neighbors too far away to care and RVers themselves...They and I would not put up with something that would reduce our appreciation or our property and surrounding areas of course.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Posting Help and Support

[cekkk]

The tone of OPs post lead me away from the otherwise reasonable suggestions to wait and see.

OP, if you can sleep, fine. If you need resolution then you need to get the answers.

[BB_TX]

There are some areas around here where you can’t even park your pickup in your front driveway! :S Not allowed to be seen from the street.

[Lantley]

In general your OK as long as there are no complaints. Zoning inspectors generally don't patrol for issues but they do respond and enforce when alerted to an issue.
If there is a complaint and you are in violation, enforcement could happen quickly.
There may not be much of a grace period.
I understand you wanting to remain under the radar, but unless you get factual info from your local zoning dept. you are relying on hearsay.

[garyemunson]

Very few towns will assess a fine unless the "perp" just ignores the notice of violation and continues to live there. As said above, you've already been there 5 months, I'd just lay low and if you get popped, then move.

[riven1950]

Don't poke the bear. Sure way to be moving. Depends on the neighborhood, but if no complaints from neighbors you may be ok, not legal but ok. You can always research penalties online or in person, they are public records, or ask an attorney.

[Tyler0215]

If you have already been there for five months, I'd say you don't have anything to worry about.
If the code enforcement does come calling, you will "probably" get a warning and be told to move. Deal with it then.
I would not go to the city and ask if it's OK. Why wake somebody up.