Baldwin County, AL Housing After Isaias

Local rule on a trailer on your lot. We found an official local rule for the City of Gulf Shores, the City of Orange Beach, the City of Foley, the City of Fairhope, the City of Daphne, the City of Spanish Fort, and unincorporated Baldwin County, each quoted below with its source. We confirm the rules for your address before delivery. See the local rules.

This page is for homeowners in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and unincorporated Baldwin County whose home is not livable after Hurricane Isaias. Alabama has no statewide rule on living in a travel trailer on your own lot while you rebuild, and Baldwin County shows why that matters: Orange Beach and Spanish Fort have written rebuild rules, the county has one for its zoned planning districts, Gulf Shores runs RVs through a Council permit, and Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne codes restrict living in an RV on a residential lot. 1st Choice Living has placed furnished travel trailers on homeowners' own property, nationwide, since 2004, and we bill the carrier directly under ALE where the claim covers it.

Hurricane Isaias and the Baldwin County area

Storm facts as of October 9, 2026, 5 p.m. CDT, from official sources:

The storm. In its 4 p.m. CDT advisory on October 9, 2026, the National Hurricane Center said Isaias was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph, and that it was forecast to make landfall along the coast of the western Florida Panhandle that evening and then move across Alabama. Source
Warnings. That advisory had a hurricane warning in effect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay and Gulf County line in Florida, and said storm surge could reach 6 to 9 feet above ground from the Alabama and Florida border to Grayton Beach, Florida. Source
Alabama. Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for 40 Alabama counties, effective 4 p.m. CDT on October 7, 2026. On October 8 she ordered non-residents, tourists, and visitors to leave Baldwin County south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and Zone 1 in Mobile County, including Dauphin Island. Source

Governor Ivey's October 8 order told non-residents, tourists, and visitors to leave Baldwin County south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The hurricane warning in the National Hurricane Center advisory above ran from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, east to the Florida Panhandle, a stretch that takes in the Baldwin County coast.

Return to your property only when local officials say it is safe. Stay out of flood water and keep clear of downed lines. For roads, shelters, and re-entry, follow the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency. For the current forecast, go to the National Hurricane Center.

Local rules on living in an RV on your lot

Unincorporated Baldwin County is split into planning districts, and the county's zoning ordinance applies only in the districts that voted in county zoning. The ordinance lists the districts where zoning has not been instituted; there, no county zoning rule governs an RV, but building and sewage permits still apply. The Planning District Maps on the county's Planning and Zoning page show which district your address is in.

Flood zones: the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, and Daphne flood codes each have standards for RVs in VE and coastal A zones. Ask the building office whether your lot is in one before a trailer is placed.

Septic: we did not find a Baldwin County Health Department page with an RV septic rule. The county's disaster RV rule itself requires a proper and permitted sewage disposal system.

City of Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores' zoning ordinance says no RV may be placed on a lot unless the ordinance provides for it elsewhere or the City Council or its designee approves a temporary permit. A separate section lets the Council grant special temporary permits after natural disasters such as hurricanes, for up to six months at a time and no more than 18 months in all, though that section speaks of a temporary building rather than an RV. Ask the Building Division before a trailer is placed.

“No portable Building, tent, Dwelling Unit, Recreational Vehicle, Manufactured Home, or any other such Structure shall be permitted on any Parcel of land except where provided for elsewhere in this Ordinance, or upon the approval of a temporary permit by the Council or its designee.” Source

Permits: City of Gulf Shores Building Division, 251-968-1142.

City of Orange Beach

Orange Beach's zoning ordinance lets a homeowner live in an RV for up to six months while building or rebuilding their home, with prior Community Development approval, a building permit kept active the whole time, water and sewer hookups, city garbage service, and the RV on the same or an adjacent parcel. One written extension of up to six months may be granted. Separately, the city code lets the mayor, during a declared state of emergency, allow residents to place campers or RVs on their own property as temporary residences after building official approval; we did not confirm that the mayor has invoked it for Isaias.

“A homeowner may occupy a recreational vehicle for a period of no longer than six (6) months while building or reconstructing their residence within the City of Orange Beach, Alabama, subject to the following conditions:” Source

Permits: City of Orange Beach Community Development, 251-981-2610.

City of Foley

Foley's zoning ordinance says an RV may not be lived in on a residential lot, except by guests for up to 14 days in a calendar year. We did not find a storm or rebuilding exception in the Foley code, so check with the city before a trailer is placed.

“A recreational vehicle may not be used or occupied for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in residential districts, except as provided herein: Guests may occupy a recreational vehicle for up to fourteen (14) days in a calendar year.” Source

Permits: City of Foley Building Department, 251-952-4011.

City of Fairhope

Fairhope's city code makes it unlawful to sleep in a camper or trailer in the city between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. except in licensed parks or campsites, with an exception of no more than 14 consecutive days on a residential lot where an occupied home exists. We did not find a storm or rebuilding exception, and we could not read the current zoning ordinance, so check with the city.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to sleep in an automobile, van, truck, camper, trailer, or other vehicle of any kind or nature within the corporate limits of the city or the police jurisdiction thereof, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except in licensed or approved mobile home parks or trailer parks or campsites” Source

City of Daphne

Daphne's Land Use and Development Ordinance says a travel trailer may not be lived in, even temporarily, anywhere except an RV park. We did not find a storm or rebuilding exception in the Daphne code, so check with the city before a trailer is placed.

“A travel trailer shall not be occupied either temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored in any area, except in a recreational vehicle park as authorized in Article XXVII, Recreational Vehicle Park Provisions.” Source

Permits: City of Daphne Building Inspection, 251-620-1500.

City of Spanish Fort

Spanish Fort's zoning ordinance lets a travel trailer or motor home be lived in temporarily, for up to 12 months, while a home made unusable by a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado is rebuilt or rehabilitated. It must be parked behind the front building setback line. The section names no permit step, so check with the Building Department.

“may be occupied on a temporary basis for a period of time not to exceed twelve (12) months pending the rebuilding or rehabilitation” Source

Permits: City of Spanish Fort Building Department, 251-626-4993.

Unincorporated Baldwin County

In the county's zoned planning districts, the owner or occupant of a home made uninhabitable by any disaster may live in an RV on the same parcel, or an adjacent parcel with the same owner, for up to 18 months from the date of damage. Before move-in they need an approved site plan from Baldwin County Planning and Zoning, applied for within 12 months of the damage. The RV must meet accessory-dwelling setbacks, stay road-ready, connect to a proper and permitted sewage system, and not be barred by restrictive covenants.

“A recreational vehicle may be occupied for up to 18 months pending the repair or rebuilding of a primary dwelling following any disaster which may render the primary dwelling uninhabitable.” Source

Permits: Baldwin County Planning and Zoning.

Rules here were read on official city and county pages on October 9, 2026 and can change after a storm. The side-by-side table for every Isaias area is on Hurricane Isaias RV rules by county.

How the trailer is billed: Additional Living Expenses

Additional Living Expenses, or ALE, sometimes called loss of use, pays for somewhere to live while the house is not livable. Ask your carrier whether your policy includes it and what the limit is. The Alabama Department of Insurance explains that additional living expenses reimburse the cost of your additional living arrangements, and it lists a trailer alongside a hotel or an apartment. It says you will need all receipts to be reimbursed.

Local rules for your address checked before delivery.
A furnished travel trailer that sleeps 2 to 10, with a kitchen, a bathroom, real beds, and heat and air, delivered, leveled, and set up on your property.
Utilities connected by licensed, insured contractors from our preferred vendor network, planned around what is actually working at the property.
Site conditions documented at setup and again at takedown.
Direct billing to your carrier under ALE where the claim covers it, tracked against your ALE limit. On a covered claim that is $0 out of pocket for your family.
One named contact from the first call to the day the unit leaves.

Flood is different. National Flood Insurance Program policies do not provide additional living expense coverage. If your home also had damage your homeowners policy covers, such as wind, ask your adjuster how ALE applies. This is general information, not legal or coverage advice. Your policy and your adjuster decide what is covered.

Already working with a temporary housing company?

We work with any temporary housing company. If one is handling your housing, ask them to place you with 1st Choice Living for a trailer on your own lot in Baldwin County. They send us the placement, we deliver, set up, and service the trailer, and the billing runs through them or straight to your carrier, whichever way their program works.

What we need to start

The property address in Baldwin County and whether it is inside city limits.
How many people are in the household.
Your claim number and your adjuster’s name and contact.
Your ALE limit, if your adjuster has told you.

From there we check the local rules for that address, confirm the lot can take a unit, and plan setup around what is safe and working at the property. If a trailer on your lot is not the right fit, we will tell you. Adjusters and housing companies can send a placement through for adjusters and carriers.

Ask about a trailer on your Baldwin County lot

Call or send the request form with your claim number, your adjuster’s contact, and the property address. We confirm the local rules and set up a furnished unit on your property.

Call (214) 493-1515 Request housing

More Hurricane Isaias pages

Temporary housing after Hurricane Isaias: storm facts, safety, and ALE for Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.
Hurricane Isaias RV rules by county: every area in one table.
Our Alabama temporary housing page.
Nearby: Mobile and Mobile County, AL
Nearby: Pensacola and Escambia County, FL
Travel trailers for crews and families after Hurricane Isaias from Temporary RV Living.
Drone documentation after Hurricane Isaias from LossMap, to record roof and property damage before cleanup.

Frequently asked questions

Can I live in an RV on my lot in Gulf Shores after Hurricane Isaias?

Gulf Shores' zoning ordinance says an RV may not be placed on a lot without a temporary permit from the City Council or its designee, and the Council can grant special temporary permits after natural disasters such as hurricanes. Ask the Building Division, 251-968-1142, before a trailer is placed. We confirm the rules for your address before delivery.

What does Orange Beach allow while I rebuild?

Orange Beach lets a homeowner live in an RV for up to six months while building or rebuilding, with Community Development approval, an active building permit, water and sewer hookups, and city garbage service, plus one written extension of up to six months. The mayor can also allow RVs as temporary residences during a declared state of emergency. Call Community Development, 251-981-2610.

I live in Spanish Fort. How long can a trailer stay?

Spanish Fort's zoning ordinance allows a travel trailer or motor home to be lived in temporarily for up to 12 months while a home made unusable by a natural disaster is rebuilt, parked behind the front setback line. Check with the Building Department, 251-626-4993, on permits. We do not promise a length of stay; your claim and the city decide it.

What about outside city limits in Baldwin County?

In the county's zoned planning districts, the owner or occupant of a home made uninhabitable by a disaster may live in an RV on the parcel for up to 18 months from the date of damage, with an approved Planning and Zoning site plan applied for within 12 months, setbacks met, and a permitted sewage system. Some planning districts have no county zoning; building and sewage permits still apply there.

Can I put a trailer on my lot in Foley, Fairhope, or Daphne?

Their codes restrict it. Foley allows only guests in an RV, up to 14 days a year. Daphne bars living in a travel trailer outside an RV park. Fairhope bars sleeping in a trailer overnight outside licensed parks, except up to 14 consecutive days on a lot with an occupied home. We did not find a rebuild exception in any of the three, so check with the city before a trailer is placed.

Stay on your lot while the house is repaired

One named contact, local rules checked before delivery, direct billing to your carrier where the claim covers it.