Want to live in an RV in Waldoboro, Maine? Right now you might get away with it. But now the town’s select board says they want to define just what a residence is. If the proposal passes, an RV wouldn’t be a residence. And those who live in them could lay themselves open for some big fines.
Live in an RV? You’re probably the source of “complaints”
Waldoboro’s code enforcement officer, Mark Stults, says his office is getting more and more complaints from locals. The complaints are about people living in RVs and tents.
In response, select board members discussed a proposed ordinance amendment to address the issue. The idea is to bring the whole thing up again at an upcoming board meeting. The language in the proposal includes these points:
“The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of not only the persons residing therein but, additionally, of the public at large by establishing limitations on the use of RVs and other non-permanent structures for permanent human habitation.
“Portable heating devices, non-standard electrical connections, a lack of approved sanitary facilities including but not limited to bathrooms and toilets, sinks, showers or bathtubs and standard kitchen facilities, among other facilities associated with safe places of permanent human habitation, all lend themselves to unhealthy, unsanitary, and hazardous living conditions, if utilized for extended periods of time.
“Camper/RVs and other non-permanent structures are not intended for use as places of permanent human habitation and do not adequately provide for the needs associated with human habitation. This Ordinance shall make allowance for safe, comfortable, and sanitary use of RVs and other non-permanent structures for short term, temporary use for human habitation purposes to facilitate enjoyment of camping, hunting, and most all other outdoor pursuits.”
Problems lead to proposal
Leading to this suggested ordinance was information that came out in a November meeting of the board. “Some issues: no septic, one camper had the valve pulled and was dumping on the ground,” Stults said. “People cutting holes in the tops of campers to put chimney pipe through,” to burn wood inside.
Stults said he “would rather be the bad guy in town, forcing people to find safe places to reside,” than be worried people will get injured or killed. Stults referenced the recent fire-related death of a 25-year-old living in a camper in Windsor.
Code enforcement officer Stults pointed out that the town’s current ordinances just don’t make clear what’s acceptable as a residence and what’s not.
Defines—and fines
As drafted, the amendment defines Campers, Recreational Vehicles, Tents, and Tiny Homes, among other structures. It lays out limits and durations on use. Campers/RVs and non-permanent structures “shall be limited to 120 days” and “in no case shall” be used as a permanent residence.
If the suggested ordinance were to be put into law, those who break the law could face some stiff fines. Fines would range from $100 for a first offense to “no more than” $2,500 for each offense.
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I’m all for the regulations. It’s lazy,filthy people like this that screw it up for hard working RV’rs.
Wow, Chris. The need for such regulations aside, do you have the inside dope on these lazy, filthy people? I don’t see anything in Russ and Tina’s story to lead to that observation, so you must have other sources. Do share!
Do you have a place for those residing in the RVs? Do you have a reasonable place for them to locate to? That they can afford? Would you be able to afford a place if you had their income? I doubt It! An affordable rent is higher then most middle income people can afford!
Lazy, filthy people??????!!!! And just what comprises a “hard-working” RV’er? I’ve met traveling registered RN nurses that live in RV’s who are the farthest thing from filthy and lazy.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Interesting. Maine seems a cold place to live in a tent. Cutting a hole in ones roof to extend a stovepipe is illegal if it’s a camper roof, but legal if it is a non-camper, say, tiny house? I guess I can see that. Have a great 2024! 🙂
Ahhh, big brother at work again. Gotta love the lib states. Maine must be watching what has gone on out West in the beautiful feces-lined streets of San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and other homeless beauty locals. A preemptive shot across the bow that tells “all” the evils and dangers of living in an RV, even though some may cost more than the code enforcement officer quoted house.
Where does it say (law-wise) that you have to live in a house or an apartment? Otherwise, you are scum.
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