California Residency Rules and RV Parks

[sbleiweiss]

We stay frequently at an RV park in Silicon Valley. We like one particular site in the park best. We decided to book it on an ongoing basis (year round) so as to have it whenever we want to use it. Might leave it vacant the other times. Might leave a car parked in it trickle charging.

A month ago the park was happy to let us do that (paying the monthly rate plus electric). Unfortunately, we didn't sign the paperwork then. Now the park has put in new rules, citing to a CA law that says if campers stay more than 9 months the park becomes a trailer park instead of an RV park. I am not sure why, but the owners don't want that designation. They want to be an RV park.

The new rules are, no one can stay (or pay for a spot) more than 7 months. Then they have to leave the park for at least one week. Finally, when they return to the park they cannot return to the same site.

Does anyone know about this supposed CA law? See similar rules in other CA parks? Know a legal work-around?

[Old-Biscuit]

Doesn't much matter if other CA parks use or ignore the 'rule'.
The RV Park in question DOES and it's their CG.

So 7 months then get out and no hogging of one particular site.

Sounds fair....otherwise no one else would get to use a site also.

One way around it.....find an RV Lot for sale and purchase it.

[1ciderdog]

I don't know if it is a law but when we lived in our 5th wheel at KOA San Diego area in 1998 to 2000 we were required to move out twice a year for a week or more. I don't remember the exact details.

[vsheetz]

Until just recentky, I had a annual site with a TT parked on it at a CG in CA south bay area. TT could be there 365 days. Max 270 days I could be there in a year. If more than 270 days the status of the CG changed due to residency rules and they would have to pay school taxes, etc. This can vary by county and local, not just state.

[kalynzoo]

I presume as a trailer park they would have stricter sewer, water, electric rules and regulations. There might be a different zoning requirement. California has all sorts of rules and regulations. If a business or property is targeted for enforcement the cost of compliance can be unbelievable.
Just go with the rules, and be glad the city even allows an RV park to exist.

[theroc]

I believe that most states have different rules and tax consequences for businesses that operate RV parks/resorts as opposed to mobile home/"trailer" parks. The distinguishing factor is usually that RV parks cater to a transient customer group as opposed to a "resident" clientele or those living permanently or semi-permanently on a particular site.

Similarly, we've owned sites within an RV resort in several states that have had rules of staying no longer than 180-consecutive days, etc. and the rules are set by the underlying development to comply with local ordinances pertaining to what type of development they are classified as.

I don't doubt that California has the regulation that the owner/management of the park you're citing is referring to. It probably has to do with the distinctions and definitions of "Mobilehome Residency Law and Recreational Vehicle Occupancy Law."

Summary of the Mobilehome Residency Law and Recreational Vehicle Occupancy Law

Complete synopsis of the 2016 California Mobilehome Residency Law (PDF)

I haven't read through all of it but I have to believe that somewhere within those documents, it will discuss what that "nine month occupancy" is all about and how it applies to their business.

My opinion is that the RV park is free to set its own rules in order to comply with whatever business category they wish to fall under pertaining to California law. I guess it's your choice to patronize the business under their rules or not sadly to say. I feel your frustration.

[twogypsies]

This is very common. It sounds like up to now you've been renting month-by-month and then you asked to rent it long-term and that's when you had to 'read' and sign the agreement. I'll bet it isn't a new rule for the park but you just didn't know about it until wanting to use it permanently.


Think of it this way.... you get to see more if you move rather than sitting in one spot all the time.

[Hgrace56]

California has a specific department to deal with Mobile Home Park and I believe that the RV parks jeopardize their business classifications if they violate the standards.
At the Colorado River there are even stronger BLM enforcement so both in Arizona and California