By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Recent complaints about using recreational vehicles (RV) as an auxiliary
residence beside houses caused the City of Great Bend to readjust ordinances and
regulations. The Great Bend City Council approved an ordinance Monday night
that limits living in RVs to campgrounds and RV parks.
The city stated using a parked RV on a property creates potential problems with
the esthetics of the neighborhoods, the stringing of cables and hoses across
yards and substandard hazardous and unsanitary utility connections. According
the city, this also creates enforcement issues with other regulations such as
zoning regulations prohibiting more than one residence on a lot.
Great Bend City Attorney Allen Glendenning said the approved ordinance will clearly
state living in an RV parked on a lot will be illegal. Visiting RVs can still
park in driveways with a proper permit.
"You can park in the driveway for 21 days if you're a visiting RV," said Glendenning. "If it's your own RV, you can park there for a lesser period of time for the sole purpose of loading or unloading. Other than that, you have to park it behind the front line of your house."
Under the ordinance, those uses already existing as of Oct. 1,
2022, are grandfathered in.