Planners split over allowing RVs and tiny houses as temporary dwellings

The Bluff Planning & Zoning Commission devoted a lengthy part of its Oct. 1 meeting to whether and how to regulate recreational vehicles (RVs) and tiny houses on wheels. Commissioners debated deleting a draft rule that would explicitly allow an RV to be parked and occupied for up to 24 consecutive hours on a public street, with some members arguing the allowance encourages camping in town and creates sanitation and traffic risks.

"My thought is totally remove that. Just say it's not allowed and then let signage go from there," one commissioner said during the discussion, arguing that explicit permission could undercut local RV parks and cause enforcement headaches. Other commissioners urged a more permissive approach for transient drivers who stop briefly to rest, and the commission discussed a compromise that would allow RV occupancy while a valid building permit is in process and utilities are connected. No ordinance change was adopted; staff was asked to reconcile short-term rental, ADU and building-permit language and return a clarified draft with definitions and enforcement references.