The Ellis County Press: County requires permit for RV, campers

County requires permit for RV, campers
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Editor on 12/29/2008 09:51:00


_The Ellis County Press_
ELLIS COUNTY -Residents wanting a camper or a recreational vehicle on their
property - with or without septic hook-ups - will now have to obtain a permit,
according to Department of Development director Delton Ake.
The county's building inspection/permit agency, the Department of Development
has come under scrutiny for implementing "zoning" ordinances on property and
land owners, despite Texas restricting land-use plans for counties.
"The [commissioners' court] Minute Order #98-355 requires a ‘Development
Permit' for all construction or development on the property," Ake said.
"Within the definition of ‘Development' it lists ‘or other structures or
storage of equipment or material.'
"If the structure is not to be used to house people and is not to have a septic
connected to it, we will permit it but will not charge the $75 permit fee."
Red Oak-area taxpayers have complained they were still required to obtain
permits despite campers of all makes, models and sizes not being connected to
on-site sewage systems, or OSSFs for short.
Currently, county regulations call for permits on any structure constructed on
private property. Ake's boss, County Judge Chad Adams, has not responded to
numerous e-mails regarding development-related rules and ordinances.