RV parking and FEMA update

Adding final amendments to emergency housing rules, the Butte County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an urgency ordinance Tuesday (Feb. 26) that immediately eased restrictions on parking recreational vehicles.

The supervisors, at their previous meeting, made a series of changes to zoning regulations to foster temporary housing for Camp Fire survivors and recovery workers. (See “What now?” Newslines, Feb. 7.) Tuesday, they voted to allow temporary RV parks in agricultural and rural zones—including eligible parcels within burn areas.

Properties affected by the fire must not contain debris or hazardous materials from a structure over 120 square feet. Ag parcels must total at least 20 acres, fall within a municipality’s sphere of influence, and be classified as grazing land; rural requirements include a minimum parcel size of 5 acres and limit of two RVs per acre.

Meanwhile, FEMA announced that its disaster recovery centers in Chico and Paradise will shut down Friday evening (March 1). Fire survivors can seek assistance starting Tuesday through the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will remain inside Chico’s old Sears building.