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What Would our Founders Think of the Mess We Have Made 

With AB 1472 in the rear-view mirror (for now), what lies ahead for the RV park industry? 

We have had a nice run of laying low and falling back on the RV park residency law – (California Civil Codes Chapter 2.6) to assist with removals and evictions. But now that we have been in the limelight it might be time to clean up our act a bit and fly right rather than under the radar. 

Many RV parks need long term tenants to stay afloat so it has become common practice to allow for a percentage of the park to become “residential”. The appearance of residential affordable housing is the very thing that will bury us in the legislature in the very near future. 

If it walks like a duck and floats like a duck, then it must be a duck. If we look like and act like low-income housing, then that is how we will be perceived and regulated. As an industry, we must operate our parks as though they are 100% transient even though we may have long term guests, but how do we do that?

A good solid set of rules THAT YOU ACTUALLY FOLLOW. Rules are of no use if you allow everyone to break them, and our attorney partners will appreciate your adherence to your own rules when they must defend you in an unlawful detainer case.

Utilize the Special Occupancy Parks Act and RVP Law. Did you know that your guest CANNOT occupy more than 75% of their site? It is the law. 

Do you know the civil code rules for accessory structures? If you don’t, you should.  

What about modification of an RV (you know like those window AC units)? Yes, that means the RV has been modified and cannot be in your park.  

What about an RVIA (or similar) seal of approval? The RVIA changed the wording on their seal to read “This recreational vehicle is designed for temporary recreational camping or seasonal use.” Manufacturers will no longer warranty a vehicle that is being “lived” in full time. An RV must have a seal, or the owner must self-declare for the vehicle to be in an RV park. Do you have a self-declare waiver? 

The vehicle must be operable and registered with the DMV (not as a non-op). This means that all the systems must be operable. Toilet, shower, refrigerator, AC, and appliances must all be operable as well as the vehicle itself. The vehicle and tow vehicle (if applicable) must be registered with tags on. This is a basic state law. If they can’t follow this, they will not follow your park rules.  

This might be difficult to hear, but parks that are operating as residential parks may want to consider reregistering as a mobile home park to avoid the inference on your counterparts who choose to be transient that all RV parks are low-income housing.   

A great deal of thought was put into SOPA by the founders of this association. It set to separate RV parks and their transient occupancy from full time mobile home parks. Now we are at risk of losing the very code and law that make us unique.  

See you on the road. 

Dyana

This month, the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), a proud industry partner of CalOHA, is celebrating 60 years.

Back in 1963, before the mass production of motor coaches, families began discovering a new, more convenient way to vacation. Amidst this discovery, people began purchasing retired buses and converting them into a home on wheels, which many called “house cars.” Eventually, a few belonging to the house car community decided it would be beneficial to band together and form an organization just for them; a place where they could share their experiences and exchange ideas.

Among them were Bob and Jean Richter from Hanson, Massachusetts; the Richters owned a 1940 Greyhound bus that they had converted to be able to travel with their four children. After meeting other families with similar buses, Bob and Jean decided to start a list to keep track of everyone. This led to the couple mailing out letters to everyone on this list, inviting families to meet in Maine to view the solar eclipse happening in July 1963. During that gathering, the FMCA was formed.

In its 60 years, FMCA has issued over 543,000 memberships. Six years ago, members voted to transition from a group of motorhome owners to an all-inclusive RV owners organization, which continues to grow.

“One thing that has remained constant throughout six decades of FMCA’s efforts to enhance the RV lifestyle are the ‘great people’ Bob Richter described from that inaugural gathering in Maine,” FMCA CEO Chris Smith shares. “While RVs provide the basis for the bond that ties the organization together, it’s the people who form the fabric of FMCA. Thousands of RV enthusiasts have helped to write the story that began with a group of house car owners gazing at the sky one July afternoon, and dreaming of what could be.”

For information on the Family Motor Coach Association, visit their website!

Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance

With the unique services and characteristics of your RV park come unique needs and risks. We can help ensure your RV park has the right insurance protection to cover your needs. For over 35 years, Leavitt Recreation and Hospitality Insurance has served the unique insurance need of RV parks, campgrounds, and resorts from coast to coast in the United States. We insure over 3,500 parks nationwide. Our agents are professionals in insuring RV parks and campgrounds, and as an independent agency, we match the correct carrier with your individual needs. No matter if you own a KOA in California, a Yogi Bear campground in Wisconsin, or a country campground in Georgia, we can craft an insurance solution for you.