South Hutchinson bans permanent RV living, sets Oct. 1 compliance deadline
New ordinance prohibits long-term camper occupancy outside licensed parks
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Sign up freeSOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Residents living in recreational vehicles or campers outside of licensed parks have until Oct. 1 to find other accommodations after the city banned the use of temporary dwellings as permanent residences.
Approved by the City Council on July 27, Ordinance No. 26-10 was enacted to protect public health, safety and neighborhood integrity. Under the new regulations, a camper or RV is considered a permanent residence if it is occupied continuously for more than seven days, or for more than 30 total days within a calendar year. The measure also explicitly prohibits connecting the vehicles to the city's sanitary sewer system.
Long-term RV living will now be restricted exclusively to licensed RV parks, though the ordinance outlines several temporary exemptions. Guests may stay in a camper for up to a week, provided no rent is exchanged. Residents building or renovating a home can secure temporary permits to live in an RV on their property. The City Council can issue 90-day hardship permits to individuals displaced by natural disasters or emergencies.
While the ordinance has already been adopted, enforcement officially begins Oct. 1 to give property owners time to comply. First-time violators will receive a written warning. Subsequent offenses will trigger municipal court complaints, which carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail, fines ranging from $50 to $500, and the potential removal of the RV at the owner's expense.
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