Cameron Parish officials revised local recreational vehicle park regulations during a voting session held Jan. 12, 2026, at the Cameron Parish Police Jury West Annex Board Room in Cameron, Louisiana, adopting changes that raise the threshold for what constitutes a regulated RV park, eliminate owner-occupancy requirements and establish a new approval process for larger developments. The amendments to Section 4 1/4.13 of the local ordinance address temporary housing needs linked to industrial development in the parish, with the meeting agenda reflecting permit applications connected to energy projects in the Hackberry area.
The amended Section 7-11 now defines a recreational vehicle park as an area providing spaces for five or more RVs, a significant increase from the previous threshold of two vehicles that triggered regulatory oversight. The updated definition specifies that such parks serve primarily for temporary living quarters, camping, travel or seasonal use, with all recreational vehicles required to remain road-ready with current and valid registration and tags at all times.
The road-ready requirement means vehicles must maintain functional tires, intact lighting systems and no visible deterioration preventing safe road travel, establishing clear standards for operators to monitor throughout the year.
A major component of the approved revisions involves striking language that previously required each RV to be owned by its occupant. This removal of the owner-occupied mandate allows more flexible tenancy arrangements within regulated parks while maintaining strict standards regarding vehicle condition. The change opens opportunities for workforce housing arrangements in Cameron Parish where industrial activity has increased demand for temporary accommodations.
The January agenda included industrial permit activity from Garret Coates in Hackberry for a multi-acre parking and lay-down lot serving Commonwealth Energy and Louisiana LNG projects, indicating the type of development driving demand for temporary accommodations in Cameron Parish.
New Section 4 1/4.13.2 establishes stricter oversight for larger developments, requiring Police Jury approval for any RV park permit application exceeding 25 spaces. Applicants must submit a comprehensive development plan that identifies the location and area of land along with tract boundaries, includes a site plan showing placement of all spaces, structures, facilities and amenities, and provides such other information as may be required by the parish building official. The regulations now apply parish-wide, with previous language limiting application to the West Division and Police Jury District No. 2 removed from the ordinance.
The comprehensive development plan requirements address concerns about larger operations by ensuring parish officials can evaluate proposed projects before permits are issued, creating a formal review process that did not previously exist for developments of this scale.
Violations of the updated provisions are punishable under Section 4 1/4.8, with penalties including fines up to $250 and potential jail time of up to 30 days. Section 4 1/4.13.1 establishes prospective application only, meaning the regulations apply to parks permitted after Dec. 1, 2018. Parks already in existence or permitted before that date are explicitly exempt from the new requirements.
The penalty structure reflects Cameron Parish’s approach to enforcement, combining financial consequences with potential criminal liability for operators who fail to maintain compliance with registration and vehicle condition standards.
The distinction between existing and new operations provides clarity for the market, with established parks continuing under previous rules while newer entrants must meet the updated standards from the outset.
The Cameron Parish revisions reflect a broader trend of local governments updating temporary housing regulations in response to industrial development activity. The balance between easing entry barriers through higher regulatory thresholds and flexible tenancy options while strengthening oversight for larger developments provides a framework that other jurisdictions may consider as workforce housing needs evolve.
The changes modernize the parish’s approach to temporary housing management during a period of industrial growth, creating clearer pathways for larger development projects seeking Police Jury approval while establishing defined standards for vehicle condition and registration compliance.