HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 14 Use of Recreational Vehicles as Temporary Housing AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 10/19/2020
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Staff Contact/Dept.: Sandy Belson and
Jim Donovan
Staff Phone No: 541-736-7135
541-726-3660
Estimated Time: 10 Minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Promote and Enhance
our Hometown Feel
while Focusing on
Livability and
Environmental Quality
ITEM TITLE: USE OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS TEMPORARY HOUSING
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Hold a public hearing and approve/not approve the attached Resolution
ALLOWING RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS TEMPORARY HOUSING
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
With evacuees from the Holiday Farm Fire (and other fires as well) having
temporarily left their homes or in some cases lost their homes, Springfield residents
and businesses have stepped up to help those in need. Many have offered a landing
spot for those with recreational vehicles (RVs). In addition, with the economic
challenges that accompany the on-going pandemic, many households are looking
for affordable temporary options. All this coupled with a regional housing
shortage; people are in need of temporary options until they can find permanent
housing or rebuild and return home. The intersection of these events creates an
opportunity to experiment with temporary measures designed to ease the current
crisis and gather information for the consideration of more permanent measures.
ATTACHMENTS: ATT 1: Resolution
Exhibit A: Temporary Guidelines for RV Occupancy on Private Property
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT
Currently, RV occupancy is not an allowed use in the Springfield Development
Code other than in RV or manufactured dwelling parks or as an emergency medical
hardship. During a work session on September 28, Council directed staff to prepare
a resolution for a public hearing that would allow people to occupy RVs parked on
private property in situations not already covered through the Overnight Parking
Program. The Guidelines attached to the Resolution as Exhibit A have been
reformatted and do not allow for collection of rent but do for a voluntary
contribution from the RV occupants toward the cost of utilities.
If approved, there will be some outreach efforts needed to explain this temporary
approach to people who have questions or concerns. Over time, allowing these
RVs may reduce the number of complaints that generate an enforcement activity.
If approved, Council has indicated that it would like to review this temporary
measure before next summer to determine if it should continue as is or with some
adjustments for a period of time commensurate with the emergency need. Council
could also consider whether or not to change the city’s development code to allow
this type of use city wide and on a permanent basis.
If in the future the City decides against RVs as a housing choice, there will be a
grace period to sunset the temporary use. However there may be an increase in
enforcement cases as the displaced seek other housing if the City lacks adequate
affordable housing options to accommodate these households.
PAGE 1 of 1
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, OREGON
RESOLUTION NO. ___________
ALLOWING RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS TEMPORARY HOUSING
WHEREAS, recent forest fires including the Holiday Farm Fire have left many households without
permanent housing;
WHEREAS, economic challenges that accompany the COVID-19 pandemic threaten household
stability;
WHEREAS, there is a regional housing shortage that limits housing options for people looking to find
affordable temporary options;
WHEREAS, this intersection of events creates an opportunity to experiment with temporary measures
designed to ease this crisis and inform consideration of more permanent measures;
WHEREAS, recreational vehicles offer a temporary housing option;
WHEREAS, the Springfield community has already stepped up to offer a landing spot to many fire
evacuees;
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Springfield finds that is in the public interest to
temporarily waive enforcement of city ordinances that restrict use of recreational vehicles for housing
purposes, provided that the property owners and occupants adhere to the Guidelines in Exhibit A,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD:
Section 1: The City will hereby temporarily suspend enforcement of the prohibition of
recreational vehicle occupancy if the host property owners and recreational vehicle occupants following
the Guidelines provided in Exhibit A.
Section 2: The Council will review the impact of this resolution before the summer recess in
2021 to determine if this resolution should remain in effect, if there should be adjustments to the
Guidelines (Exhibit A), or if staff should resume enforcement of the provisions of the Springfield
Development Code that prevent occupancy of recreational vehicles outside of those cases where it is
specifically allowed.
Section 3: This Resolution will take effect upon adoption by the Council.
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the City of Springfield this 19th day of October, 2020, by a
vote of _____ for and ____ against.
ATTEST:
__________________________
City Recorder
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 4
Exhibit A
Temporary Guidelines for RV Occupancy on Private Property
Due to the heightened need for temporary housing in our community, the City of Springfield
will allow temporary occupancy of recreational vehicles (RVs) when they are parked on private
property as described below. City staff will use the following guidelines for the temporary
measure and continue to uphold safety and health standards aimed at protecting the occupants
of the RVs. All other city ordinances for the protection of health and safety shall remain in
effect. Failure to follow these guidelines in a manner that threatens the health and safety of
the temporary residents, property owners, neighbors or public may result in enforcement
actions.
• These guidelines do not apply to RV Parks, manufactured dwelling parks, or campgrounds.
• These guidelines do not apply to churches and industrial sites that participate in the
Overnight Parking Program.
RV Definition
Recreational vehicle is defined in the Springfield Development Code as: “A vacation trailer or
other unit, with or without motive power, which is designed for human occupancy and to be
used temporarily for recreational, seasonal, or emergency purposes and has a gross floor space
of less than 400 square feet. The term includes camping trailers, camping vehicles, motor
homes, park trailers, bus conversions, van conversions, tent trailers, travel trailers, truck
campers, and any vehicle converted for use or partial use as a recreational vehicle. The unit
shall be identified as a recreational vehicle by the manufacturer or converter.” For purposes of
these guidelines, an RV also includes a tiny house on wheels suitable for transport on a public
street.
General Guidelines
• RV must be Roadworthy
o The RV must be in a drivable or towable condition and licensed as appropriate.
o RVs that cannot be easily driven off or towed from the property are deemed a
nuisance and subject to code enforcement.
• No structures shall be connected to the RV.
• All personal items shall be kept in the RV or otherwise screened from view from any public
right-of -way (including alleys).
• Property owners may not charge rent, but may ask the RV occupants to contribute toward
utilities.
Good Neighbor Approach
A good neighbor approach is strongly recommended for all property owners, business owners,
and temporary residents. The City will continue to take action to enforce noise, sanitation,
nuisance, and other public health and safety code violations.
EXHIBIT A, Page 1 of 3
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 4
RVs are not allowed on vacant lots.
RVs on Residential Property
RVs may be parked on property developed with a single-family house or a duplex.
• Property owner may grant permission for one RV.
• RV must be parked in a legal parking area (driveway) or parked behind the front facade
of the house. (Springfield Municipal Code 5.002(11) – Prohibited parking)
• RVs parked behind the front façade of the primary structure may be screened using
standard fencing materials.
• The RV must be parked at least three feet from any interior property line and shall not
create a sight or physical obstruction for traffic (including pedestrians).
• It is recommended that the RV be parked at least three feet from any structure.
• Any additional structures (carports, sheds) provided for the use of the temporary
residents must comply with the zoning requirements of the district.
Sanitation Facilities must be provided for the RV occupants.
• Residents may make sanitary facilities available within the existing structure.
• The RV occupants may use holding tanks within the RV that are emptied off-site.
• A certified vendor may go to the site to pump out RV holding tanks.
• The property owner may allow an RV connection to an existing sanitary sewer line,
contact the City for applicable requirements.
• Portable toilets are not allowed.
Electrical connections may be provided to the RV.
• An extension cord may be extended from an approved outlet.
• The property owner may obtain approval for and install a pedestal for a plug-in, contact
the City for applicable permits.
• Use of generators is not allowed.
• Hard (permanent) connections are not allowed.
Garbage Service must be provided.
• The residents must have regular garbage service and allow the RV occupants to utilize
this service.
RVs in Parking Lots
Property owners of commercial businesses, public entities, and religious institutions/places
of worship may allow RVs.
• Property owner may grant permission for one or more RVs.
• RVs must be parked within the parking lot.
• Any additional structures (carports, sheds) provided for the use of the RV occupants
must comply with the zoning requirements of the district.
Sanitation Facilities must be provided for the RV occupants.
• Business/property owner may make sanitary facilities available within an existing
structure.
• Business/property owners may provide portable toilets that are regularly serviced and
maintained.
EXHIBIT A, Page 2 of 3
Attachment 1, Page 3 of 4
• The RV occupants may use holding tanks within the RV that are emptied off-site.
• A certified vendor may go to the site to pump out RV holding tanks.
• The property owner may allow an RV connection to an existing sanitary sewer line,
contact the City for applicable requirements.
Electrical connections may be provided to the RV.
• An extension cord may be extended from an approved outlet.
• The property owner may obtain approval for and install a pedestal for a plug-in , contact
the City for applicable permits.
• Use of generators is not allowed.
• Hard (permanent) connections are not allowed.
Garbage Service must be provided.
• The business/property owner must have regular garbage service and allow the RV
occupants to utilize this service.
EXHIBIT A, Page 3 of 3
Attachment 1, Page 4 of 4