A few months back we ran this story: These are the states that allow you to live in your RV full-time. It was a popular piece, but we always have to add the annoying detail, “While the state may allow it, local authorities have the final say.” This week, Greene County jumped on the list of counties that allow permanent RV living in Tennessee.
The idea of allowing full-time RV living in Greene County isn’t new. Back in June, the commissioners had it on the docket to decide, but at the last minute pulled the item as “adequate public notice was not given in advance of the July meeting as required by law.” But Monday, August 18, saw action taken that may have pleased local RVers.
Greene County’s idea of permanent RV living in Tennessee
Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch for full-time RV living in Greene County.
The resolution allows “RV campers to be permanent dwellings as long as safety and septic considerations are met,” and notes that “those permanently placed campers would be assessed property tax.” Campers can stay longer than 90 days on private property or in campgrounds, according to the resolution.
Greene County Attorney Roger Woolsey told the Planning Commission in June, “If it’s going to be permanent you’ve got to make sure it’s tied down, and you’ve got to make sure it has some outlet for septic.” He also said that permanently placed campers “would have to be secured and inspected, and would have to meet the same requirements as mobile homes” and “must also be attached to an adequate septic system reviewed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.”
RV parks or private property—taxes are a reality
The new rules allow RVers to live permanently in RV parks “if permitted by the park or campground’s owner.” Property taxes would apply if someone uses a campground as a residence. “The owner of the property on which the campground sits would be obligated to pay the property tax bill,” and they would be responsible for collecting payment from campers. Campground operators would also “need to keep a log of who is staying in the campground, permanently or temporarily.”
Those placing a camper on private property as a home are also subject to property tax. Planning Commission members appeared to agree that a person should have “the right to live in a camper, but with the stipulation that other home and tax regulations are followed in the interests of safety and fairness.”
As a side note, the commissioners also passed a law requiring that “transient” RVers—those staying less than 90 days in an RV park—pay a hotel guest tax. The RV park owner is responsible for collecting that tax and passing it along to the government.
What about other Tennessee counties?
Do other Volunteer State counties allow full-time RV living? Some allow it by law, others give tacit approval by looking the other way. Here’s what we found.
Sevier County (home to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge):
The county allows full-time RV living on properly zoned land, so you can park your RV on your own property and make it your home.
Statewide (in areas properly zoned):
Across Tennessee, you can live full-time in an RV, but you must use land zoned for RVs and follow local zoning laws and building codes, including utilities and permits.
Areas without zoning or rural counties:
In counties with no zoning or very relaxed land-use laws, you can live in an RV much more easily, even if it’s not formally authorized. These include counties like Morgan, Chester, Lawrence, and other rural eastern or central Tennessee locations.
For example, in Pickett County, one local reports on social media that the county “really does not seem to give a s*** about anything that is done on one’s own property.” That suggests a hands-off attitude, though not necessarily a formally legal allowance.
Could tough housing situations cause other authorities to shift attitudes?
What about other states? One wonders that as the high cost of housing, and the lack of availability of it, might force other government authorities to relax an anti-RV living stance.
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RVT1223b
A hotel guest tax for short stays in an RV park? Sounds like a nickle and dime money grab from out of state visitors
Absolutely, Bill. We have no state income tax, so use taxes are disproportionately used. For example, Hamilton County (also East Tennessee as Greene County, but far south of it) has a sales tax that is approximately 10 percent. Safe travels, Bill! 🙂
Thank you, Russ and Tina, for the news! Hamilton County (includes Chattanooga and Ooltewah, where DW, dog #3, and I live) formally does not allow one to live in an RV on ones own property. HOWEVER, the county also told me that so long as ones neighbors failed to complain, then the county would never know. Further, I was assured that the county makes no effort to uncover instances of this on their own. Have a great day and safe travels!
By the way, Ooltewah was accorded the title of “most difficult to know how to pronounce town in Tennessee” by some entity that was widely reported on Facebook this week. Hoax? Maybe, but we take our titles however we can come by them so long as it isn’t by means that is obviously illegal. 😉
sounds like much of the same anywhere in the country from “politicians” no matter size of city and or county setting the rules and standards for all regardless of where you reside within the city or county lines…bottom line, it all goes back to money and control over others.
Heck, here in Biloxi Mississippi it is against the zoning ordinance to even allow anyone to sleep for one night in a camper or Motorhome on private property. You can park in a driveway, but don’t you dare sleep in it yourself of let a visiting friend stay in their camper on your property, not even for a night! And yes, it is enforced. I found out the hard way. Don’t believe this is possible in America? See Biloxi’s guest house ordnance, LDO 23-4-4-C(8)(D)(4) at https://library.municode.com/ms/biloxi/codes/land_development_ordinance. If you think unjust, let the mayor know at mayor@biloxi.ms.us