BOISE, Idaho — On Wednesday, Owyhee County community members testified against a proposed ordinance outlining where and how long someone can call an RV "home" in unincorporated areas.
This was the fifth public hearing about the ordinance. If passed, the county law would make it illegal for people to live in an RV within unincorporated Owyhee County unless it is at an official RV park.
There are some exceptions. People could live in an RV elsewhere if they apply for a temporary hardship permit. That means people who are "ill, disabled or have medical or life problems," according to the ordinance.
Someone could also request a permit to live in an RV if they are building or renovating their home.
The ordinance would not apply to farmers who house workers in RVs. It also would not apply to people with RVs on their property for recreation.
However, if a homeowner decided to have someone live in their RV full-time, that person could only stay there for 60 days out of the year, according to the ordinance.
County Planning Director Mary Huff said the ordinance would mean more options for people wanting to live in an RV legally. It would also help first responders know where people are located in case of an emergency.
The county wrote the ordinance in response to complaints about safety and sanitation as well as the growing number of people living in RVs throughout the county, she said.
"People are saying, 'Look, we need to have some sort of control; we can't open it up, and everybody comes and gets to do whatever they want at the expense of our taxpayers,'" Huff said.
Most people in the meeting were against the ordinance. Many brought up the affordable housing crisis, stating that some people have no option other than to live in an RV.
Community member Rick Myers said the ordinance is discriminatory and infringes on peoples' rights.
"It's all one-sided," he said. "It gives exemptions to certain classes of people in the county. It penalizes the other people in the county. It makes no consideration for the economic status of families or friends that are trying to find a place to live."
People who violate the ordinance would be fined several hundred dollars. County officials say they have already changed certain parts of the ordinance to compromise with concerned community members.
The law could be changed further depending on what leaders take from Wednesday's meeting. A county spokesperson told KTVB there is no set date for when commissioners will make a decision.
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