The Greene County Planning Commission has recommended new regulations for RV parks and campgrounds, which would impact future developments in the area.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of the proposed zoning ordinance during a recent meeting, sending it to the Greene County Commission for review and potential approval in March.
If adopted, the ordinance would only apply to new RV parks and campgrounds, while existing sites would remain unaffected unless they sought expansion permits.
These proposed changes follow a temporary halt on new RV park and campground developments.
In June 2024, the Greene County Commission implemented a six-month moratorium on such projects, later extending it until March 2025. Before the moratorium, RV parks were automatically permitted in A-1 agricultural districts.
Under the proposed regulations, they would instead be permitted by right in B-2 general business and B-3 arterial business districts. However, RV parks could still be approved in A-1 zones if they meet specific roadway criteria.
According to the proposal, RV park entrances in A-1 districts would need to be located on arterial or collector streets.
These classifications, as defined by the county’s 1972 major road plan, were last updated in 1993. Collector streets gather traffic from residential areas and direct it to arterial roads, which accommodate higher traffic volumes.
“We need to know the roads are going to be safe for the people going in and out of the site,” said Lyn Ashburn of the Greene County Planning Office, citing concerns about RVs navigating roads that may be too narrow or winding.
According to a report by the Greenville Sun, the ordinance provides alternatives for developers looking to establish RV parks on roads that do not meet these criteria.
Sites may be approved if the primary travel route meets safety standards from the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Alternatively, developers could submit a report from a licensed transportation engineer demonstrating how the project could be safely developed despite non-compliant roads.
Additional requirements in the proposed ordinance include a vegetation buffer, secured through a bond, to ensure compliance with landscaping standards over time. The rules also address long-term residency within RV parks.
If approved, permanent residency would be allowed, subject to local property taxes. Owners would receive the tax bill and be responsible for collecting fees from permanent residents. Currently, permanent placement of RVs is allowed, but continuous occupation is not.
Operational standards for campground and RV park owners would also be affected.
The ordinance mandates a designated check-in area to prevent traffic congestion, an on-site staff presence during daytime hours, and a 24/7 emergency contact number for campers and nearby residents.
Permit holders would be held accountable for compliance, with minor violations incurring daily fines of $100, while major violations would cost $250 per day.
Repeat violations could lead to permit revocation. “We want this to be reasonable. We don’t want to be vindictive, but we don’t want repeat offenders,” said County Attorney Roger Woolsey.
The proposed regulations reflect a growing emphasis on safety, infrastructure compatibility, and responsible development in Greene County’s outdoor hospitality sector.
Campground and RV park operators may need to adjust their business strategies accordingly, particularly when considering site selection, operational policies, and long-term residency options.
In other business, the Planning Commission recommended that temporary housing be permitted for up to six months for natural disaster victims and workers assisting with recovery efforts.
The decision follows inquiries from contractors working on bridge repairs in the county, who requested the use of temporary housing trailers and campers for their workforce.