If you look in the yards of many south Baldwin County homes you will find an RV parked. Most of them are for private use but in recent times you will find many of them listed on the internet for rent. The explosion of RV parks in the area have shown a path to citizens who want to make money from their RV when not in use. Some have even bought their RVs for the specific purpose of renting it online.

Orange Beach is starting to address some of the rules concerning RVs in the community. Orange Beach added language to the city’s zoning ordinance concerning living in a recreational vehicle in a neighborhood zoned single-family residential.

“Occupied RVs are only allowed in areas zoned recreation vehicle parks, they’re allowed in mobile home parks with designated areas for RVs,” City Planner Griffin Powell told the council during its Dec. 5 meeting. “And, also in the planned unit development where the master plan does allow for RVs. This amendment will not impact any areas where it’s allowed.”

Mayor Tony Kennon said he had heard citizens who thought the amendment would also ban having an RV in the yard next to or behind a permanent residence.

“Some people are saying the change wouldn’t allow them to keep their RV at their house,” Kennon said. “That’s not true.”

The goal of the amendment is to not allow RVs on residential lots to be lived in or be connected to water or sewer service. Unoccupied RVs in single family residential neighborhoods can be hooked up to electricity.

“We do not go looking for infractions, we don’t try not to give anyone a hard time,” Kennon said. “But if someone reports it and there is a complaint, we have to act on it. And, if it’s a violation, we have to act on it.”

RVs can be occupied in residential areas under the following conditions:

RVs can be occupied by a homeowner building or reconstructing a resident for six months after getting approval from Community Development

The RV must be hooked to utilities and have garbage service

Occupancy must be tied to a valid building permit

Must be located on the same lot as the construction/reconstruction or an adjacent lot

Extensions of the six-month stay are at the discretion of Community Development.