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Camping on my lot against zoning law

horizons196
Explorer
Explorer
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.
51 REPLIES 51

turbojimmy
Explorer
Explorer
Zoning laws are specific to towns and cities. The only way to get a sure answer is to check with your local officials. It sounds like you suspect what you're doing is against zoning laws. If it were me, I'd see if I could get the camper out of sight to whatever extent possible and not draw attention to yourself. If/when you're contacted by the authorities, deal with it then.
1984 Allegro M-31 (Dead Metal)

HadEnough
Explorer
Explorer
Can't locate behind the garage? Make yourself invisible?

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you switched places with your neighbors would you be happy with the situation? I wouldn’t like what you are doing at all. There is no free lunch. Your neighbor is paying for your water. Time to make your own way. Most cities have a sewer fee. Because there is no house on your property doesn’t entitle you free sewers. The citizens of your town are subsidizing you on the sewer issue.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Walaby
Explorer II
Explorer II
I think you would get a better, more accurate answer, by taking cekkk's advice.

Now, I get it, you don't want to highlight yourself. But, asking someone on the internet, without even disclosing where you are at, is not going to yield an accurate answer. I would be willing to bet that, in a town of 10K, likely there is NO ONE, who lives where you live, so any answer you get is pure speculation.

Mike
Im Mike Willoughby, and I approve this message.
2017 Ram 3500 CTD (aka FRAM)
2019 GrandDesign Reflection 367BHS

wanderingaimles
Explorer
Explorer
You dont say where you are located, some areas have strict rules, some are pretty lax.
Can you run water and sewer to a small bathroom in your garage? That may alleviate the problem since you could claim you are using the facilities in the garage. And it would help you as well since you could tap them for your trailer.

cekkk
Explorer
Explorer
First, calm down. Pay a visit to the code enforcement office of your town or county. Ask your questions calmly so you don't upset them. Often yelling at employees of such departments is a crime. They may have a suggestion or they may not, but your post indicates you are not handling this well. Good luck and let us know how things go.

There is a better place to post this. Look for a general discussion forum in the list. This one is for technical questions about the entire website.
'11 Eagle 320RLDS '02 Ford F350 DRW 7.3 PSD
"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch and do nothing" - Albert Einstein."

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Explorer
Well this "discussion" is going to be pretty worthless.

Not knowing WHAT small town or county you live IN......nobody will be able to give you a good answer.

I suggest that you contact the municipal or county zoning office......and don't put much stock in ANY answer you get here.
'07 Damon Outlaw 3611
CanAm Spyder in the "trunk"