Hurricane Isaias RV Rules by County: Living in an RV on Your Lot

    By Michael Wojciak, founder, Agile RV Housing

    Updated October 7, 2026: rules checked for 15 jurisdictions in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, including Florida's statewide law. Entries for Hancock County, MS, and Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County, FL, are being added.

    Many counties and cities in the Hurricane Isaias area have written rules that let you live in an RV on your own lot while a damaged home is repaired. Most ask for a permit or approval, set time limits from 6 to 36 months, some with renewals, and require utility connections. This page lists each rule with its source and the date we checked it. Agile RV Housing places a fully set up RV on your lot for homeowners whose home is unlivable. Loss of Use (Coverage D) on your homeowners insurance often pays once your adjuster approves it. Delivery is about four days from approval to move-in, at $120 to $140 a night, tax included, plus delivery and setup, across Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and all 48 contiguous states.

    Call (614) 655-4286

    How to read each entry

    Each entry below covers one county or city in the Hurricane Isaias area and answers five questions in plain words: what the local rule says about living in an RV on your own lot during repairs, what permit or approval you need, how long the RV can stay, what utility connections the rule requires, and where the rule comes from. Every entry shows the date we last checked it. Rules after a hurricane can change within days, because counties and cities often adopt emergency orders. Agile RV Housing updates this page as those orders come out, and the free zoning check confirms the current rule for your exact address within one business day.

    Can you live in a camper on your property in Alabama?

    Yes, in several Alabama jurisdictions in the Hurricane Isaias area, written rules let you live in an RV on your own lot during repairs, each with its own permit and time limit. Unincorporated Mobile County has no zoning, and the City of Mobile allows an RV on the lot of a home made unfit to live in for up to 1 year during active construction. Unincorporated Baldwin County allows up to 18 months after a disaster with site plan approval. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores each have their own permits, and Orange Beach gives the mayor emergency authority during a declared state of emergency. The entries below give the details and sources for each Alabama jurisdiction, and Agile RV Housing handles the hookups each rule asks for.

    Mobile County, AL (unincorporated)

    • Rule in plain words: Unincorporated Mobile County has no zoning, according to the county's development and zoning page. Setting up an RV on a property served by a septic tank needs Mobile County Health Department approval.
    • Permit or approval: Mobile County Health Department approval when the RV connects to a septic tank.
    • Time limit: The county's development and zoning page sets no time limit. We confirm for your address.
    • Utility requirements: Septic connections need Health Department approval. A licensed electrical contractor installs the power, and Agile RV Housing hooks up water and sewer.
    • Source: Mobile County Development and Zoning
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    City of Mobile, AL

    • Rule in plain words: If a single-family home becomes unfit to live in, an RV or manufactured home may be placed on that lot while the home is repaired or rebuilt.
    • Permit or approval: The placement falls under the city's temporary residential dwelling rules and must meet setbacks. An active building permit supports an extension.
    • Time limit: Up to 1 year during active construction. The director can extend it with an active building permit. The RV must be vacated within 14 days after the certificate of occupancy.
    • Utility requirements: Water and sanitary hookups are required.
    • Source: City of Mobile Unified Development Code Sec. 64-4-10, item 9(b)
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Baldwin County, AL (unincorporated, zoned planning districts)

    • Rule in plain words: You may live in an RV for up to 18 months from the date of damage while a home made uninhabitable by any disaster is repaired or rebuilt. The RV is for the owner or occupant, on the same parcel or an adjacent parcel with the same owner.
    • Permit or approval: Site plan approval from Baldwin County Planning and Zoning before move-in. Apply within 12 months of the damage. Check that your HOA or deed restrictions also allow it.
    • Time limit: Up to 18 months from the date of damage.
    • Utility requirements: Connected to permitted sewage. The RV stays road ready with a current tag and sits outside the front yard.
    • Source: Baldwin County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 12.2.2(a), amended May 20, 2025
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Orange Beach, AL

    • Rule in plain words: A homeowner may live in an RV while building or rebuilding a home in Orange Beach. Separately, during a declared state of emergency, the mayor may allow campers or RVs on residents' own property as temporary homes notwithstanding zoning.
    • Permit or approval: Approval from the Community Development Department in advance, plus an active building permit. The RV goes on the same parcel or an adjacent one.
    • Time limit: Up to 6 months, with one extension of up to 6 months.
    • Utility requirements: Water and sewer hookups and city garbage service.
    • Source: Orange Beach Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5.1601; Orange Beach City Code Sec. 14-25(1), cited by section
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Gulf Shores, AL

    • Rule in plain words: An RV used as a temporary home needs a temporary permit from the City Council or its designee. For recovery after a hurricane, the Council can grant special temporary permits.
    • Permit or approval: A temporary permit from the Gulf Shores City Council or its designee.
    • Time limit: Special temporary permits of up to 6 months, renewable to 18 months in total.
    • Utility requirements: Set with the permit. We confirm the terms with the city for your address.
    • Source: Gulf Shores Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6-7.A
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Can you live in a camper in Mississippi while your house is repaired?

    Yes, with a permit: in the Hurricane Isaias area, Jackson County, Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Harrison County, and Biloxi each have a written provision for temporary housing on your own lot during repair or construction. Pascagoula and Biloxi both use a Temporary Use Permit for the occupants of a storm-damaged home, for 12 months with up to three renewals. Unincorporated Jackson County lets the Planning Director issue an emergency temporary permit after a hurricane. Unincorporated Harrison County allows a self-contained RV for up to 6 months with a conditional use permit. The entries below give each Mississippi rule and its source, and Agile RV Housing works through the permit with you.

    Jackson County, MS (unincorporated)

    • Rule in plain words: When people are displaced from their home by a hurricane, flood, fire, or other disaster, the Planning Director may issue an emergency temporary permit for a mobile home or temporary structure in any zoning district. We confirm with the county how the permit applies to an RV at your address.
    • Permit or approval: An emergency temporary permit from the Jackson County Planning Director, after the county finds the occupants were displaced by the disaster.
    • Time limit: Up to 1 year, with one renewal of up to 1 year.
    • Utility requirements: Set with the permit. We confirm the terms with the county.
    • Source: Jackson County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 9.16(h)
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Pascagoula, MS

    • Rule in plain words: The occupants of a home with casualty damage, such as hurricane damage, can live in a temporary residence on the same site while the home is repaired. The city must find that the damaged home is not habitable. A Declaration of Emergency can add standards after a disaster.
    • Permit or approval: A Temporary Use Permit, a building permit for the repair, and the building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for the temporary residence before it is used.
    • Time limit: 12 months, renewable for up to three more 12-month periods with a written request to the City Manager before the permit expires.
    • Utility requirements: Electrical and plumbing permits before the temporary residence is used.
    • Source: City of Pascagoula Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 4.5.F, cited by section
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Ocean Springs, MS

    • Rule in plain words: The Ocean Springs Unified Development Code includes a temporary residence for the owner during construction, reviewed and authorized by the Building Official. We confirm with the city how that provision applies to an RV at your address. Emergency rules are common after major storms.
    • Permit or approval: Authorization from the Ocean Springs Building Official.
    • Time limit: The temporary residence is removed within two weeks after the certificate of occupancy.
    • Utility requirements: Set with the authorization. We confirm the terms with the city.
    • Source: Ocean Springs Unified Development Code Sec. 6.13.2(C)
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Harrison County, MS (unincorporated)

    • Rule in plain words: A self-contained RV may be used as a temporary home to house the owner during construction or reconstruction of a home, on the property where the completed home will stand.
    • Permit or approval: A conditional use permit. The owner must already hold a construction permit for the home.
    • Time limit: Up to 6 months.
    • Utility requirements: The RV must be self-contained. A licensed electrical contractor installs the power, and Agile RV Housing hooks up water and sewer.
    • Source: Harrison County Unified Development Code Sec. 816.02, Exception 2
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Biloxi, MS

    • Rule in plain words: The occupants of a home with casualty damage can live in a temporary residence on the site while the home is repaired. The city must find the damaged home not habitable.
    • Permit or approval: A Temporary Use Permit, with a building permit for the repair obtained within 45 days.
    • Time limit: 12 months, renewable for up to three more 12-month periods.
    • Utility requirements: Set with the permit. We confirm the terms with the city.
    • Source: Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Sec. 23-4-5(F)
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Can you legally live in a camper in Florida after a storm?

    Yes, Florida state law protects one RV on the lot of a home made uninhabitable after the Governor declares a state of emergency for a natural disaster. Florida Statutes 125.023 for counties and 166.0335 for cities stop a county or city from blocking one RV on that lot for up to 36 months, or until the repaired home gets its certificate of occupancy. The owner must be making a good-faith effort to rebuild, the RV must be connected to water and electric, and the resident must live in it. In the Hurricane Isaias area, Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Santa Rosa County also have their own permits, listed below. Agile RV Housing connects the power and water each rule requires.

    Florida statewide law

    • Rule in plain words: After the Governor declares a state of emergency for a natural disaster, a Florida county or city cannot block one RV or similar unit on the lot of a home made uninhabitable.
    • Permit or approval: The owner must be making a good-faith effort to rebuild, for example by applying for a building permit.
    • Time limit: Up to 36 months from the declaration, or until the repaired home gets its certificate of occupancy, whichever comes first.
    • Utility requirements: The RV is connected to water and electric and is not a health or safety threat. The resident lives in it.
    • Source: Fla. Stat. 125.023 (counties); Fla. Stat. 166.0335 (cities)
    • Flood zones: Under the federal floodplain rule, an RV in a FEMA flood zone must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days or be fully licensed and highway ready, on its wheels with quick disconnect utilities (44 CFR 60.3(c)(14)). We plan the placement around your flood zone.
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Escambia County, FL (unincorporated)

    • Rule in plain words: A land use permit allows one temporary structure, RV, or manufactured home as disaster recovery housing on the lot of a single-family home made unfit to live in, in any zoning district. The resident of the damaged home lives in it.
    • Permit or approval: A land use permit. Apply within 6 months of the disaster. Utility connections need their own permits, according to the county's after-storm permitting page.
    • Time limit: Up to 18 months after the disaster. The RV is removed within 10 days after the certificate of occupancy. Florida's statewide law also applies after a Governor's declaration.
    • Utility requirements: Electrical power, potable water, and sanitary sewer connections that comply with the Florida Building Code. In flood areas, Escambia LDC Sec. 4-2.15 allows an RV beyond 14 days when it is highway ready or meets manufactured home standards.
    • Source: Escambia County Land Development Code Sec. 4-7.13(b)(2); Escambia County, Permitting After a Storm
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    City of Pensacola, FL

    • Rule in plain words: Florida Statute 166.0335 applies inside Pensacola city limits after a Governor's state of emergency declaration. The city cannot block one RV on the lot of a home made uninhabitable.
    • Permit or approval: A good-faith effort to rebuild, such as applying for a building permit. We confirm the city's permits for the utility connections.
    • Time limit: Up to 36 months from the declaration, or until the certificate of occupancy, whichever comes first.
    • Utility requirements: The RV is connected to water and electric.
    • Source: Fla. Stat. 166.0335
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Pensacola Beach, FL

    • Rule in plain words: Approvals on Pensacola Beach come from the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Florida Statute 125.023 applies after a Governor's state of emergency declaration.
    • Permit or approval: Santa Rosa Island Authority approval. We coordinate the approval with you.
    • Time limit: Under state law, up to 36 months from the declaration or until the certificate of occupancy, whichever comes first.
    • Utility requirements: Under state law, the RV is connected to water and electric.
    • Source: Escambia County, Permitting After a Storm; Fla. Stat. 125.023
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Santa Rosa County, FL (unincorporated)

    • Rule in plain words: Living in an RV while a single-family home is built is permitted with an issued single-family building permit. For storm-damaged homes, Florida Statute 125.023 applies after a Governor's declaration. Milton and Gulf Breeze are cities, so Florida Statute 166.0335 covers homes inside their limits.
    • Permit or approval: An issued single-family building permit. One RV, used by the owner.
    • Time limit: Up to 1 year under the county code. Up to 36 months under state law for a storm-damaged home after a Governor's declaration.
    • Utility requirements: Permitted utility connections. In flood zones the RV stays road ready.
    • Source: Santa Rosa County Land Development Code 4.02.03(d), cited by section; Fla. Stat. 125.023
    • Last checked October 7, 2026

    Other Gulf Coast cities

    For Daphne, Fairhope, and Foley in Baldwin County, AL, Gautier and Moss Point in Jackson County, MS, and Gulfport in Harrison County, MS: we confirm the current rule for your address; emergency rules are common after major storms. Enter your address in the free zoning check, and our staff confirm the rule within one business day.

    Entries for Hancock County, MS, and Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County, FL, are being added. They are being researched now and will appear here with their sources and check dates.

    Do counties change RV rules after a hurricane?

    Yes. Gulf Coast counties and cities have adopted emergency RV rules within days of past hurricanes.

    • Diamondhead, MS, after Hurricane Zeta (2020): Six days after landfall, the city passed Resolution 2020-080 allowing camper trailers on damaged residential lots for the family living in the house on October 28, 2020. It allowed up to 6 months, one extension of up to 3 months, and a no-charge building permit, with water, sewer, and temporary power connected (Diamondhead Resolution 2020-080).
    • Harrison County, MS, after Hurricane Katrina (2005): On September 12, 2005, the Board of Supervisors gave the Zoning Officer immediate power, for the length of the declared emergency, to issue temporary use permits of up to six months (Harrison County Board of Supervisors meeting synopsis, September 12, 2005).

    Orange Beach's mayoral emergency authority and Pascagoula's Declaration of Emergency standards, listed above, work the same way.

    Temporary power pole for an RV after Hurricane Isaias

    A temporary power connection for an RV on your lot is installed by a licensed electrical contractor, and most of the rules on this page require utility connections before you move in. Escambia County says permitting is required for any utility connections, including water and power (Escambia County, Permitting After a Storm), and Florida's statewide law asks for the RV to be connected to water and electric. At Agile RV Housing, a licensed electrical contractor always installs the power, and we handle the water and sewer hookup. Delivery is about four days from approval to move-in, and the main variable is scheduling the electrical contractor. Our RV utility setup page explains the work.

    Who pays for an RV on your lot after Hurricane Isaias?

    Loss of Use (Coverage D) on your homeowners insurance often pays for an RV on your own lot after Hurricane Isaias, once your adjuster approves it. Loss of Use pays the added cost of living elsewhere while a home damaged by a covered loss is repaired, and an RV on your own lot is commonly approved as that housing even when it is not the first option offered. Agile RV Housing sends your adjuster or housing agency a written estimate, and the RV is delivered after written approval. The price is $120 to $140 a night, tax included. Our rate has not changed for the storm. Delivery and setup are priced separately for each property. You choose who provides your temporary housing. Your insurer or its housing agency may suggest a provider, and the choice stays yours. Our guide to how homeowners insurance pays for an RV on your property covers each step, and the ALE coverage guide explains the coverage.

    How we use this page

    We update this page as counties and cities in the Hurricane Isaias area issue emergency orders, and each entry carries the date we last checked it. The page covers the rule in each jurisdiction. Your address can add details, such as a flood zone, an HOA, or a septic system. The free zoning check confirms the rule for one address: enter it, and our staff confirm the rules within one business day. Our hurricane temporary housing guide covers the insurance side of a storm claim.

    How we have done this

    Agile RV Housing has completed over 100 long-term placements in the last two years. Our founder, Michael Wojciak, has 10 years in RV rental and fleet operations. We are a preferred vendor with the national temporary housing agencies, including ALE Solutions, Alacrity, Sedgwick, CRS, and National Corporate Housing. If an agency handles your housing, ask for Agile RV Housing by name. We read the county and city codes on this page ourselves and link each one so you can check it.

    Area pages for Hurricane Isaias

    Call us about your lot

    Call (614) 655-4286. Tell us your insurance company and your property address. We tell you which county or city rule applies and send your adjuster the written estimate.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Can I put an RV on my lot in Baldwin County, AL, after Hurricane Isaias?

    In unincorporated Baldwin County, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 12.2.2(a) lets you live in an RV for up to 18 months from the date of damage while a home made uninhabitable by a disaster is repaired. You need site plan approval from Planning and Zoning before move-in, applied for within 12 months of the damage, and the RV must connect to permitted sewage.

    Can you live in a camper in Jackson County, MS, after a hurricane?

    In unincorporated Jackson County, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 9.16(h) lets the Planning Director issue an emergency temporary permit when people are displaced by a hurricane or other disaster, for up to 1 year with one renewal of up to 1 year. In Pascagoula, a Temporary Use Permit under UDO Sec. 4.5.F covers a temporary residence for the occupants of a storm-damaged home.

    How long can an RV stay on my lot in Escambia County, FL?

    Escambia County's land use permit for disaster recovery housing allows an RV for up to 18 months after the disaster, with the application made within 6 months. After a Governor's state of emergency, Florida Statute 125.023 protects one RV on the lot of an uninhabitable home for up to 36 months or until the certificate of occupancy.

    Do I need power, water, and sewer for an RV on my lot?

    Most of the rules on this page require utility connections, and the details vary. Escambia County requires electrical, potable water, and sewer connections to the Florida Building Code, the City of Mobile requires water and sanitary hookups, and Orange Beach requires water and sewer. Agile RV Housing uses a licensed electrical contractor for power and handles the water and sewer hookup.

    My city is not listed. What do I do?

    Use the free zoning check at /zoning-check. Enter your address, and Agile RV Housing staff confirm the current rule within one business day. Emergency rules are common after major storms, and we add new orders to this page as counties and cities issue them.

    Does homeowners insurance pay for the RV?

    Loss of Use (Coverage D) on your homeowners insurance often pays for an RV on your own lot once your adjuster approves it. Agile RV Housing sends a written estimate to your adjuster or housing agency, and the RV is delivered after written approval, about four days from approval to move-in.

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