New code allowing the placement of rental RVs starts today for rural Lane County properties
Beginning today, February 27, properties in unincorporated Lane County (meaning outside city limits and urban growth boundaries) that are zoned Rural Residential may be able to add a rental recreational vehicle (RV) to their property.
"We know access to affordable housing is a critical need throughout Lane County," said Board of County Commissioners Chair David Loveall. "This new code, made possible by recent changes to state law, allows us to open up long-term housing opportunities in rural communities while at the same time providing guardrails to ensure that it doesn't negatively affect the character of our rural areas."
The new code was passed by the Board of County Commissioners in January. It can be found in Lane Code Chapter 16.290 (9).
To take advantage of this new program, properties must meet the following criteria:
- Only one RV is allowed on lots zoned Rural Residential in conjunction with a primary single-family dwelling.
- The single-family dwelling must be the primary residence of the property owner.
- No other dwelling units may exist on the property, including a temporary medical hardship or an ADU, and no portion of the single-family dwelling may be rented for residential tenancy. The property may not be in an urban reserves area.
- Rental RVs are not allowed in the regulatory floodplain.
- The RV must be licensed and ready for highway use.
- The RV cannot be used for vacation occupancy, meaning the stay must exceed 45 days.
- The property owner must provide essential services (sewage disposal, water, electric, and if required by applicable law, a drainage system) to the RV space.
- The RV must contain a toilet and sink or the property owner must make these facilities available to the tenant.
- The RV must be located on a paved or graveled parking pad.
- There are special setbacks of 30 feet from the RV and resource zoned properties.
- There must be a rental agreement between the owner of the property and the tenant of the rental RV and the RV must be owned or leased by the tenant.
Interested property owners can contact Lane County Land Management at 541-682-3577 or stop by the Customer Service Center at 3050 N. Delta Highway in Eugene between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday--Friday. More information is also available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/LMD.