The Warren County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Nov. 6 on a proposed ordinance (Chapter 25) to regulate temporary residential use of campers and recreational vehicles in unincorporated Warren County. The board read the ordinance into the record, heard multiple public commenters and directed staff to refine enforcement language and hardship exemptions before returning the measure for final action.

Chapter 25 as read by staff defines key terms and sets limits and exceptions. The ordinance would prohibit occupancy of a camper or RV as a residence for more than 21 cumulative days within any consecutive 60-day period unless one of the following applies: an active Warren County building permit for construction of a permanent dwelling on the parcel with ongoing work; the camper/RV is located in a licensed campground or RV park authorized under county zoning; or a temporary hardship exemption is approved by the zoning administrator (up to six months, with a one-time 90-day extension possible).

The ordinance also requires that all waste, including sewage and gray water, be disposed of in compliance with Iowa Administrative Code chapter 69 and county public-health rules; that water and electrical connections meet state building code and be inspected; and that a camper/RV be kept roadworthy, habitable and not constitute a nuisance or health hazard. Violations would be enforced as county infractions under the Warren County code; each day of violation is a separate offense.

Public comments

Several residents spoke during the hearing, offering concrete examples and concerns that board members said informed the drafting and anticipated enforcement approach.

- Robert Griffin (Somerset Boulevard) asked whether temporary workers, long-term helpers or people living in a camper while repairing a burned house would be covered. County staff said a valid building permit for reconstruction is an explicit exception; absent that exception, extended habitation would fall under the ordinance.

- Kathy Kimsey (19244 Roosevelt, Milo) described three scenarios she said counsel caution: a homeless woman who used a fifth wheel for several months while rebuilding independence; family members who moved a fifth wheel next to an elderly relative to provide caregiver support so the relative could remain at home rather than enter a nursing facility; and family visitors using a fifth wheel for multiple weekends. Kimsey asked how enforcement would work and whether the ordinance would require the homeowner to apply for an extended stay relief.

Board discussion and enforcement issues

Supervisors agreed the ordinance will be primarily complaint-driven and not a vehicle for routine patrols of campers on private property. Several supervisors asked that the ordinance clarify objective enforcement criteria, recommending that the ordinance require campers/RVs to be licensed and roadworthy as an objective test to distinguish lawful temporary use from long-term habitation or abandoned units. Some supervisors asked staff to craft a permit or temporary hardship exemption pathway for narrow caregiving or disaster-recovery situations so the county does not inadvertently punish residents helping elderly relatives or those displaced by fire.

Sheriff Kariko attended and answered questions about enforcement logistics, and supervisors discussed using the sheriff's office to respond to complaints while zoning would manage the code enforcement and citation process.

Outcome

The board voted to advance the ordinance on second reading as presented and scheduled a work session to refine language (including license/roadworthiness language and the hardship exemption process). The roll-call vote on the second reading recorded one No (Harrison) and the remaining Ayes; the motion carried. The ordinance as read sets an effective date of Dec. 1, but supervisors signaled that date could change depending on edits and the timing of the final reading.

Why it matters

Supervisors said Chapter 25 aims to address public-health and sanitation concerns raised by campers used as long-term residences without proper waste disposal or utilities, and to preserve the character of unincorporated residential areas. Residents urged compassion for caregiving and disaster-recovery situations; supervisors asked staff to include specific exemptions and objective tests to reduce discretionary enforcement and to clarify which agency (zoning vs. sheriff) handles complaints.

What comes next

Planning and zoning staff will take direction from the board to refine ordinance language in a work session before the third reading. The board suggested adding objective criteria (licensed/roadworthy) and developing a temporary hardship application process for narrowly tailored exemptions. The board set a work-session target prior to the final reading and will post the ordinance for the third reading after edits are complete.

Sources: Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting transcript, Nov. 6, 2025.