Permit needed to park your motor home on your property?

[Jim]

I was told today that Macon County (the county where I live) requires that you purchase a permit to park a motor home on your property.

I've never heard of such a thing. Anyone else heard of this kind of nonsense?

 

[jmltech]

Got curious about this. Did a pretty good google search and couldn’t find anything. It may be a temp use permit if you use your RV as a residence while constructing your permanent home on the same lot. Some counties do this as part of the building permit process.

 

[whereRVapp]

At least you can get a permit. In Loudoun County, Virginia our HOA wont let us even if we had room. Instead they try to grab personal property tax on assessed value.

 

[Jim]

Got curious about this. Did a pretty good google search and couldn’t find anything. It may be a temp use permit if you use your RV as a residence while constructing your permanent home on the same lot. Some counties do this as part of the building permit process.

Could be. I'm not 100% sure the person that told me this is correct either. And I can't check until Monday. Doubt I’ll check anyway as I have more on my plate right now that I can keep up with as it is.

Finding that the County was going to charge me to park an asset (that I already pay to have inspected yearly and then a yearly property tax on, as well as a yearly registration fee) would be unacceptable. Something like that would require me to round up the motor home owners in the area and create a motor home blockade of Main Street. Perhaps tip over a few statues and pillage a couple of County buildings.

To be honest, I just don't have the time.

 

[Jim]

At least you can get a permit. In Loudoun County, Virginia our HOA wont let us even if we had room. Instead they try to grab personal property tax on assessed value.

Yes, they charge us an assessed "property tax" on the RV. Just like a house. I'm so sick and tried of the government's hand in my pocket. How long before I get charged an Air Usage tax for breathing?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

@Jim, if this wasn't the county officially contacting you and saying you need to get a permit, I would leave sleeping dogs lie. "It is more blessed to seek forgiveness than ask for permission."

If it was a county official acting in an official capacity, then I would start with his/her boss and work my way up to get an "official" position statement, in writing, with appropriate legal citations. And, if you do get such an official statement, I would suggest handing it to your attorney. This doesn't seem right to me.


TJ

 

[MapNerd]

At least you can get a permit. In Loudoun County, Virginia our HOA wont let us even if we had room. Instead they try to grab personal property tax on assessed value.

Property Tax in VA is county-based. You need to garage it in Prince William. That’s a bit of a hike from Loudoun but 0% personal property tax on boats and RVs.

 

[whereRVapp]

Property Tax in VA is county-based. You need to garage it in Prince William. That’s a bit of a hike from Loudoun but 0% personal property tax on boats and RVs.

MapNerd,

As a matter of fact we do just that. We store at Holly Acres which is a 40 minute drive but totally worth the cost savings as you probably know.

 

[MapNerd]

I stored there after CPU while we were getting settled. Now I have a spot at the PW County Fairground that never gets used. It’s much cheaper. Since we’re full time, it’s really just in case the tax man cometh.

 

[Neemer]

I’m also going to be a Holly Acres guy. If I was full timing it, I would adopt South Dakota in a heartbeat.

 

[Chuggs]

Our County uses Zoning laws to regulate “recreational/sports” vehicles Parking on own property.

up to 4 vehicles...only one can be an RV. Others can be boats, quads, off-road vehicles, jet skis, etc...
must be behind front setback of house
must be hidden from street with privacy fence or hedge
can only be positioned in front of house for up to two hours in a 24hr period for the express use of loading and unloading.
may not be used for housekeeping (read...not inhabited)

fines up to $1,000 per day a violation exists...

It seems I remember reading that places in California were starting to use permitting for RVs. Seems it’s a way for Law Enforcement to crack down on “stealth campers”. They evidentially have a lot of van life folks parking in residential areas to avoid the cost of RV Park/Campgrounds. So popular, it is getting a little out of hand in some areas. Permitting makes it easier for them to see who belongs and who doesn’t.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

I was told today that Macon County (the county where I live) requires that you purchase a permit to park a motor home on your property.

I've never heard of such a thing. Anyone else heard of this kind of nonsense?

Macon County does have restrictions on parking "Mobile Homes" on a residential property. Page 32, Section 4.080, paragraph E. This might be a misunderstanding on the words Mobile Home in your case.

http://www.maconcountytn.gov/government/departments/docs/2014___Final_Zoning_Code.pdf

Temporary Dwelling Unit in Cases of Special Hardship. In any residential district, a Temporary Use Permit may be issued to place a mobile home (double-wide excluded) temporarily on a lot in which the principal structure was destroyed by fire, explosion, or natural phenomena or during the period in which a permanent residence is being constructed. The purpose of such placement shall be to temporarily provide shelter for only the residents of the principal structure during the period of construction or reconstruction, and to prevent an exceptional hardship on the occupants. Placement of such temporary structure must not present a hazard to the safety, health, or welfare of the community. An applicant for a Temporary Use Permit as provided under this subsection must produce a written statement from the Macon County Health Department and/or the 33 Utilities System approving the water supply and sewage disposal systems of the temporary structure. Such a permit may be initially issued for nine (9) months. A permit may be renewed for up to six months at a time, the total time for all permits not exceeding a total of eighteen (18) months

 

[whereRVapp]

I stored there after CPU while we were getting settled. Now I have a spot at the PW County Fairground that never gets used. It’s much cheaper. Since we’re full time, it’s really just in case the tax man cometh.

Good idea. We’ve been out since May so it pains me to pay each month but we will be back home next week and back to “normal” life.

Bill

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Yes, they charge us an assessed "property tax" on the RV. Just like a house. I'm so sick and tried of the government's hand in my pocket. How long before I get charged an Air Usage tax for breathing?

Jim, That's exactly one of the reasons I'm moving out of Virginia! The damn personal property tax is higher on the coach than the house, at about half the cost! DONE WITH VIRGINIA!

 

[Jim]

Macon County does have restrictions on parking "Mobile Homes" on a residential property. Page 32, Section 4.080, paragraph E. This might be a misunderstanding on the words Mobile Home in your case.

http://www.maconcountytn.gov/government/departments/docs/2014___Final_Zoning_Code.pdf

Temporary Dwelling Unit in Cases of Special Hardship. In any residential district, a Temporary Use Permit may be issued to place a mobile home (double-wide excluded) temporarily on a lot in which the principal structure was destroyed by fire, explosion, or natural phenomena or during the period in which a permanent residence is being constructed. The purpose of such placement shall be to temporarily provide shelter for only the residents of the principal structure during the period of construction or reconstruction, and to prevent an exceptional hardship on the occupants. Placement of such temporary structure must not present a hazard to the safety, health, or welfare of the community. An applicant for a Temporary Use Permit as provided under this subsection must produce a written statement from the Macon County Health Department and/or the 33 Utilities System approving the water supply and sewage disposal systems of the temporary structure. Such a permit may be initially issued for nine (9) months. A permit may be renewed for up to six months at a time, the total time for all permits not exceeding a total of eighteen (18) months

Well damn! Thank you Joe!