Springfield Approves Free RV Registration to Continue Efforts to Address Housing Needs

Springfield City Council amended the City’s Temporary Recreational Vehicles (RVs) Occupancy Guidelines to include registration with the City at no cost. Registration is part of the City’s continued effort to evaluate the ongoing need for this type of temporary housing.

Private property owners hosting RVs on their property, not individuals living in the RV, are now required to register with the City. The registration includes providing contact information for those living in the RV. This is so the City can follow up with an anonymous survey to RV occupants on private property to collect information on needs and living conditions. The anonymous survey will help the City evaluate the ongoing need for the program in the Springfield community. Learn more about the RV occupancy program, review the guidelines, and find registration information at https://bit.ly/rvoccupancy.

City staff will collect anonymous feedback and report back to the Springfield City Council in Fall 2023.

Since October 2020, the City has temporarily allowed the use of RVs parked on private property for housing purposes, provided that both the property owners and RV occupants adhere to the Temporary RV Occupancy Guidelines. Council has reviewed this temporary measure multiple times since implementation and found that the guidelines are working to maintain health and safety for residents, property owners, neighbors, and the community.

 

Background

To respond to household displacement caused by the Holiday Farm Fire, the COVID pandemic, and the regional housing shortage which has limited affordable temporary housing options, Council adopted Resolution 2020-34 in October 2020. The resolution temporarily suspends enforcement of the City’s prohibition of RV occupancy, allowing RVs to be used for housing purposes when parked on private property, and when property owners and RV occupants adhere to the Temporary RV Occupancy Guidelines.

In its May 2022 check-in, Council asked staff to provide data on the use and impact of the temporary measure. To address the need for additional information on the use of RVs as temporary housing, during its September 19, 2022, work session Council directed staff to begin requiring registration. In its December 5, 2022 meeting, Council approved the updated Temporary RV Occupancy Guidelines which now require registration.