Orange Beach Planning Commission considers ban on RVs as residences
John Mullen • November 5, 2023
Orange Beach to consider new multifamily development

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Staffers with Orange Beach Community Development will propose adding to the zoning ordinance new regulations concerning recreation vehicles being used as residences in the city.
The commission will meet in its regular session on Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. at city hall in council chambers and will meet in a work session the same day at 3 p.m. to discuss the agenda.
“The Legal Department had requested that additional language be added to the zoning ordinance to strengthen the regulations on recreational vehicles,” City Planner Griffin Powell said.
The new amendments include:
- Adding camper shell, automobile or similar device to the prohibition of being occupied or used for living or sleeping quarters.
- In addition to unoccupied recreational vehicles not being connected to water and sewer utilities, they may not be hooked to electricity.
- Allowing homeowners who are reconstructing their houses to temporarily reside in a recreational vehicle for up to 6 months with prior approval from the Community Development Department.
- Any ordinance changes must be advertised for 15 days, have two readings and public hearings and be approved by the city council. Two other ordinance changes are also on the agenda and must also be voted on by the council.
During the meeting, the commission will consider:
- A request from Lucido Engineering to replat lots 1 and 2 of the Field of Dreams Subdivision into three lots on behalf of Darrell Allen and Douglas Cunningham. It is located on Claudette Circle off of Wolf Bay Drive in an area zoned for single-family residential.
- Another request from Lucido for Elaine Laurie and Jacquelyn Laurie to replat five full lots and half of a sixth into three lots in the East Orange Beach Subdivision. The lots are located on Magnolia Avenue and are zoned for single-family residential.
- A change in regulations “to remove the landscaping and tree removal exemptions for commercial tree operations.”
- Adding a new section to the zoning ordinance to ban storing of vehicles, boats, trailers recreation and materials on vacant residential lots.
- A request from Leib Engineering for Roscoe Partners to build 60 units in a multifamily development on 39 acres west of Roscoe Road and north of the Foley Beach Express.
- A request from The Wharf Landing to divide the former Bama Bayou which did not meet the second deadline to be considered in the Nov. 13 meeting. Sawgrass Consulting is asked to replat 92.6 acres into two lots located on Brown Lane east of the Beach Express.
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