Not allowed to camp on private property!?

[PigPen-SKO]

My wife and I figured you guys would get a kick out of this.

We're getting close to 'finishing' our (first) bus. The other day we drove by an amazing property in the mountains near where we live. It's a few acres by a creek that is completely flat and already as water, electric, and a pavilion. It floods occasionally (once every few years) so building is restricted (making th property cheap).

It is begging to be used with a bus as a camp!

I emailed the county to see what kind of buildings are permittable, mentioning it would just be used as a camp.

They shot back saying you are only allowed to camp in campgrounds!

I answered and said I wasn't planning to live there, just wanted a place in the mountains to go camp.

They said no.

Incredulously I said, you're telling me you can't camp on private property, and they said:

No.

Talk about over regulation!

 

[Rusty-SKO]

My wife and I figured you guys would get a kick out of this.

We're getting close to 'finishing' our (first) bus. The other day we drove by an amazing property in the mountains near where we live. It's a few acres by a creek that is completely flat and already as water, electric, and a pavilion. It floods occasionally (once every few years) so building is restricted (making th property cheap).

It is begging to be used with a bus as a camp!

I emailed the county to see what kind of buildings are permittable, mentioning it would just be used as a camp.

They shot back saying you are only allowed to camp in campgrounds!

I answered and said I wasn't planning to live there, just wanted a place in the mountains to go camp.

They said no.

Incredulously I said, you're telling me you can't camp on private property, and they said:

No.

Talk about over regulation!

Tell them you want to build a religious commune. Request the statutes they are quoting so you may "comply".

 

[Twigg-SKO]

My wife and I figured you guys would get a kick out of this.

We're getting close to 'finishing' our (first) bus. The other day we drove by an amazing property in the mountains near where we live. It's a few acres by a creek that is completely flat and already as water, electric, and a pavilion. It floods occasionally (once every few years) so building is restricted (making th property cheap).

It is begging to be used with a bus as a camp!

I emailed the county to see what kind of buildings are permittable, mentioning it would just be used as a camp.

They shot back saying you are only allowed to camp in campgrounds!

I answered and said I wasn't planning to live there, just wanted a place in the mountains to go camp.

They said no.

Incredulously I said, you're telling me you can't camp on private property, and they said:

No.

Talk about over regulation!

Pay no attention to a county employee giving an opinion, and check the zoning codes.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Pigpen,

What county are you in? I am curious. I just sold property in WA where camping was not allowed but parking your RV was ok as long as you don't stay in the RV more than 6 months of the year.

 

[PigPen-SKO]

We're in PA. The property is in Fayette.

It wasn't just a county employee, it was the head of the zoning department.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

We're in PA. The property is in Fayette.

It wasn't just a county employee, it was the head of the zoning department.

Then you need a definition of "camping".

It means different things to different people.

 

[Rusty-SKO]

We're in PA. The property is in Fayette.

It wasn't just a county employee, it was the head of the zoning department.

Map

exemption but don't forget to include with your application:

 

[jctrembly]

And this is why I hang my hat in WV! Since your that close to me look for a place below the Mason Dixon line (Pa/WV line). Big Bear Lake Campground is affordable and popular or an empty Lot in the surrounding area. You buy the land and the only thing you need to involve the county with is a septic system if you plain to put one in. Other than that, it's yours, no zoning, no regulations and the taxes are low.

Sent from my FRD-L14 using Tapatalk

 

[ACamper-SKO]

Here around the Denver area they have laws like that.

Over the past 5-10 years after the economy went down and low paying jobs will not buy shelter. The homeless population has gone way up and laws to "control" them have exploded.

Now they have definitions of "camping" like having a blanket on you and laying down in a public park.

Personally I find it disturbing that a person can go to jail for laying down in a public park or keeping warm with a blanket in the winter.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Then you need a definition of "camping".

It means different things to different people.

I think Twigg has a point.

I just spent 2.5 years living in my travel trailer on a lot that did not permit "camping". They did permit RV parking.

 

[PigPen-SKO]

Yes, we know all about the benefits of WV.

We don't actually live in Fayette, we're in Westmoreland. So we don't have zoning rules on a county basis, it's all down by the townships/municipalities. Most of the ones I've checked (in mountains) are fine with you living full time in a bus or RV if you so desire.

We spend a ton of time in Ohiopyle, which is why we even saw the Fayette property to begin with.

I have no doubt that I could park the bus there and get away with staying in it. No one is coming out and checking unless the neighbors get pissed.

I still think it is ludicrous that you technically aren't allowed though.

 

[Oldcarnut-SKO]

I have 20 acres in NorCal that burned down 2 years ago. Had a decent house n shop on it and was completely off grid. Never was allowed to "camp" or even live in an RV on the property. What's worse was after the fire took out most of the county, the county changed the rules and allowed one to stay in an RV on their own property but HAD to be hooked up to septic AND more than 150 feet from burned out structures. But only those whose property burned down are allowed to be in an RV and only for a limited amount of time while rebuilding.

 

[Tall Grass]

I have 20 acres in NorCal that burned down 2 years ago. Had a decent house n shop on it and was completely off grid. Never was allowed to "camp" or even live in an RV on the property. What's worse was after the fire took out most of the county, the county changed the rules and allowed one to stay in an RV on their own property but HAD to be hooked up to septic AND more than 150 feet from burned out structures. But only those whose property burned down are allowed to be in an RV and only for a limited amount of time while rebuilding.

2002 E450 Thomas/ U-JOINT 4X4 family hauler








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?

 

[Oldcarnut-SKO]

Waiting on time to install the lift. Just arrived Thursday but I'm out of town for a few weeks.

 

[Carytowncat]

If i've learned one thing in all my battles it is to listen to the environment, and if it says i am not welcome then i can trust there is somewhere else i will be much happier.

Good luck!