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Hurricane Isaias

Hurricane Isaias RV Rules by County

Can you live in a travel trailer on your own lot while the house is repaired? The local rule for each city and county on the Isaias coast and inland in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, with the official source, or “check with the city or county” where we did not find one.

Florida has a statewide rule: after the Governor’s emergency declaration, a county or city may not prohibit one temporary shelter, such as an RV or trailer, on a residential lot where the home was made uninhabitable, when the owner is rebuilding, the unit is connected to water and electric, and the owner lives in it (section 125.023 and section 166.0335, Florida Statutes). Alabama and Mississippi leave it to the city or county. Rules below were read on official city and county pages and codes; we confirm the rules for your address before delivery.

Alabama

City or countyRule on living in an RV on your lotSource
Mobile and Mobile County
City of MobileAfter a home is made unfit to live in, an RV may be lived in on the same lot during active construction, up to one year; the director may extend it. Setbacks, water, and sanitary facilities required.Official source
City of PrichardNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of SaralandCode bars living in a travel trailer outside an authorized park. No disaster exception found; ask the Building Department.Official source
Town of Dauphin IslandAfter a disaster, an RV may be a residence for up to 180 days with Town Council review and approval; the Council may extend it.Official source
Unincorporated Mobile County, including TheodoreNo county zoning in unincorporated areas. If the home is on a septic tank, adding an RV needs Health Department approval.Official source
Baldwin County
City of Gulf ShoresAn RV on a lot needs a temporary permit from the City Council or its designee. The Council can grant special temporary permits after a hurricane.Official source
City of Orange BeachA homeowner may live in an RV up to six months while rebuilding, with Community Development approval, an active building permit, and hookups; one extension of up to six months.Official source
City of FoleyNo living in an RV in residential districts, except guests up to 14 days a year. No rebuild exception found; check with the city.Official source
City of FairhopeSleeping in a camper or trailer overnight is barred outside licensed parks, except up to 14 consecutive days on a lot with an occupied home. Check with the city.Official source
City of DaphneA travel trailer may not be lived in outside an RV park. No rebuild exception found; check with the city.Official source
City of Spanish FortAfter a natural disaster, a travel trailer may be lived in up to 12 months while the home is rebuilt, parked behind the front setback line.Official source
Unincorporated Baldwin CountyIn zoned planning districts, an RV for up to 18 months after a disaster, with a Planning and Zoning site plan, setbacks, and a permitted sewage system.Official source

Inland Alabama

City or countyRule on living in an RV on your lotSource
Brewton and Atmore (Escambia County, AL)
City of BrewtonCode bars living in a travel trailer outside an authorized trailer park. No rebuild exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of East BrewtonZoning bars living in a travel trailer outside an authorized manufactured home park. No rebuild exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of AtmoreA travel trailer may be lived in temporarily while a home made unusable by a disaster is rebuilt. No time limit or permit step stated; check with City Hall.Official source
Town of FlomatonNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Unincorporated Escambia CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Andalusia (Covington County)
City of AndalusiaNo living or sleeping in an RV on a residential lot or in a location not approved for it. No rebuild exception found; ask Planning and Development.Official source
City of OppNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of FloralaNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Unincorporated Covington CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Dothan and Enterprise (The Wiregrass)
City of DothanRVs and travel trailers may be used as temporary living quarters in times of danger or declared emergency. No time limit or permit step stated; confirm with Planning and Development.Official source
Unincorporated Houston CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of Enterprise (Coffee County)RV living only in RV parks; no living in an RV on a residential lot. No rebuild exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of Ozark (Dale County)Travel trailers may be stored but not occupied. After a disaster, a manufactured home (not an RV) may be lived in on the lot with a permit, up to one year. Ask the city about a trailer.Official source
Selma (Dallas County)
City of SelmaCode bars house trailers and mobile homes on any lot and living in portable or mobile buildings. RVs not named; no disaster exception found. Check with the city.Official source
Unincorporated Dallas CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Montgomery area
City of MontgomeryOccupied mobile dwellings only in a mobile dwelling park or subdivision; RVs on lots treated as storage. No disaster provision found; check with the city.Official source
Unincorporated Montgomery CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of Prattville (Autauga County)RVs on residential lots may not be used for living or sleeping; RV living only in RV parks and campgrounds. No disaster exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of Millbrook (Elmore County)If the home is destroyed by fire or natural disaster, a camper or RV may stay during the rebuild until the certificate of occupancy or 18 months after the loss. Confirm with Planning and Zoning.Official source
Tuscaloosa County
City of TuscaloosaRVs in a residential district may not be used for living or sleeping. No disaster exception for RVs found; ask the city.Official source
City of NorthportRV living only in RV parks and campgrounds. After a disaster, a manufactured home (not an RV) may be placed on the lot with permits, up to one year. Ask the city about a trailer.Official source
Unincorporated Tuscaloosa CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Birmingham area
City of BirminghamA travel trailer used for sleeping counts as a mobile home: no more than seven days in any six months outside a park. No disaster exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of HooverNo parking or living in a trailer coach more than four days in any six months outside a permitted park, unless it meets codes for stationary homes. Ask the city.Official source
City of BessemerA camping or travel trailer may not be lived in outside an authorized mobile home park. No disaster exception found; ask the city.Official source
Unincorporated Jefferson CountyDevelopment Services may permit an RV on your property after fire or natural disaster damage, up to one year, not transferable. Apply first.Official source

Mississippi

City or countyRule on living in an RV on your lotSource
Gulfport and Biloxi (Harrison County)
City of GulfportRV living only in an RV park, except two consecutive days in 30 on the owner's own lot. No storm exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of BiloxiTemporary Use Permit for a temporary residence on a casualty-damaged lot, up to 12 months, renewable to four years; building permit within 45 days. Confirm a travel trailer qualifies.Official source
City of Long BeachTemporary residence permit during repair, six months, renewable once for three; another section bans travel trailers as residences. Ask which units qualify.Official source
City of Pass ChristianAfter a Governor's or presidential declaration covering the city, temporary housing on the lot up to two years while rebuilding. Unit type not named; ask the Code Office.Official source
City of D'IbervilleRV living only in an RV park, except two consecutive days in 30 on the owner's own lot. The Building Official can issue temporary permits; ask.Official source
Unincorporated Harrison CountyWith a conditional use permit and a building permit, a self-contained RV as a temporary dwelling during reconstruction, up to six months.Official source
Pascagoula and Ocean Springs (Jackson County)
City of PascagoulaPermit for a temporary residence on a casualty-damaged lot, up to 12 months, renewable to four years. Confirm a travel trailer qualifies.Official source
City of Ocean SpringsAn RV may be stored on the owner's lot only when not used for sleeping. No storm-repair exception found; check with the city.Official source
City of GautierNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of Moss PointAfter a hurricane, a temporary permit to live in an RV for up to 90 days, with a second 90 days if a building permit is issued and work is progressing.Official source
Unincorporated Jackson CountyEmergency permit for a mobile home or temporary structure for families displaced by a hurricane, up to one year, renewable once. Ask whether an RV counts.Official source
Hancock County
City of Bay St. LouisNo RV may be used as a dwelling outside a designated RV park. The emergency occupancy rule covers manufactured homes, not RVs.Official source
City of WavelandTemporary Conditional Use for one RV on the lot while a home is built, up to 180 days plus one 180-day request; building permit and inspected foundation required.Official source
City of DiamondheadNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Unincorporated Hancock CountyRV use outside an RV park is not allowed; a six-month temporary permit for a deviation is possible with a Planning Commission recommendation.Official source

Inland Mississippi

City or countyRule on living in an RV on your lotSource
Hattiesburg area
City of HattiesburgAn RV on any lot may not be used for living or sleeping. No storm exception found; ask the city.Official source
City of PetalNo living or sleeping in an RV on a residential lot; guest trailers up to 72 hours a month. No storm exception for RVs; ask the city.Official source
Unincorporated Forrest CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Unincorporated Lamar CountyRVs are vehicles, not dwellings. After a disaster, a manufactured or mobile home (not an RV) may be approved as a conditional use while the home is rebuilt. Ask the county.Official source
City of Purvis (Lamar County)RVs and campers may not be used for sleeping in a residential district more than 15 days a year. No storm exception found; ask City Hall.Official source
Town of Sumrall (Lamar County)No rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.None found
Lucedale (George County)
City of LucedaleAn RV on a residential lot may not be used for living or sleeping. No storm exception found; ask City Hall.Official source
Unincorporated George CountyNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Picayune (Pearl River County)
City of PicayuneNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of PoplarvilleNo RV rule for home lots; the Board may approve a temporary permit up to one year for special circumstances. RVs not named; ask City Hall.Official source
Unincorporated Pearl River CountyCounty permit required. Hardship Variance after loss of a dwelling: up to 12 months, renewable; 200 ft front setback unless varied; no RVs inside subdivisions.Official source

Florida

City or countyRule on living in an RV on your lotSource
Pensacola and Escambia County
City of PensacolaZoning code bars living in an RV stored on a residential lot. Florida's shelter law (s. 166.0335) applies after a declared emergency. Ask Building Inspections about hookup permits.Official source
Perdido Key (unincorporated Escambia County)An RV or trailer is authorized as temporary housing while a damaged home is repaired. Planning and Zoning approves the placement; utility connections need permits.Official source
Unincorporated Escambia CountyAllowed as disaster recovery housing by land use permit: one per lot, lived in by the resident, hookups to code. The code says apply within 6 months, up to 18 months; state law also applies.Official source
Santa Rosa County
City of Gulf BreezeLiving in an RV on a residential lot is barred unless the City Council allows it after a declared disaster by resolution with an end date. Florida's shelter law also applies.Official source
City of MiltonEmergency travel trailer permit after hurricane damage: apply to Planning and Development, City Manager decides, up to six months. Florida's shelter law (s. 166.0335) also applies.Official source
Unincorporated Santa Rosa County, including Navarre and PaceAn RV may be temporary living quarters while a home is built under a building permit, up to one year from the permit; not written for storm repairs. Florida's shelter law also applies.Official source
Fort Walton Beach and Destin (Okaloosa County)
City of Fort Walton BeachNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of DestinCode bars living in a travel trailer parked on a lot unless the district allows it; no post-storm permit. Florida's shelter law (s. 166.0335) applies after a declared emergency.Official source
City of NicevilleRV occupancy only in an approved RV park. Florida's shelter law (s. 166.0335) applies after a declared emergency.Official source
City of CrestviewTemporary use permit for an RV on a single-family parcel, 180 consecutive days; highway-ready, inspected water, pump-out wastewater. Florida's shelter law also applies.Official source
Unincorporated Okaloosa CountyTravel trailers may not be a dwelling in residential districts; no post-storm permit found. Florida's shelter law (s. 125.023) applies after a declared emergency.Official source
Panama City (Bay County)
City of Panama CityAfter a City Commission emergency declaration, an owner may live in an RV on the lot while repairing a storm-damaged home, up to one year unless the Commission extends it.Official source
City of Panama City BeachNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
City of Lynn HavenAfter Governor and Mayor declarations and a City Manager order, an RV as a temporary dwelling by Planning and Permitting permit, up to 18 months plus one 6-month extension.Official source
City of Mexico BeachCode bars living in a travel trailer outside an RV park; the Hurricane Michael permit ended in 2022. Florida's shelter law (s. 166.0335) applies after a declared emergency.Official source
Unincorporated Bay CountyRV living only in parks or temporarily under a County Building Safety building permit. Florida's shelter law (s. 125.023) applies after a declared emergency.Official source
Walton County, coast and inland
City of DeFuniak SpringsDuring or right after a state of emergency, the city manager may allow a travel trailer as housing for a limited time. Also allowed during construction on the lot.Official source
City of FreeportIn an emergency such as hurricane damage, a travel trailer may be temporary living quarters for up to six months with a city permit; renewals possible.Official source
Unincorporated Walton County, including Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, and 30AAn owner may live in one RV while building a home on the parcel, with a building permit and a one-year county permit. No disaster rule; RVs barred in Zone V and Coastal A except RV parks.Official source

Inland Florida

City or countyRule on living in an RV on your lotSource
Chipley and Bonifay (Washington and Holmes counties)
City of ChipleyCity code bars living in a trailer outside RV parks, but Florida law 166.0335 allows one temporary shelter after the declaration when its conditions are met. Ask Planning and Zoning.Official source
City of VernonCounty code applies: an RV may be placed on your property up to 36 months after a natural emergency, under the state law conditions.Official source
Unincorporated Washington CountyAn RV may be placed on your property up to 36 months after a natural emergency, under the state law conditions.Official source
City of BonifayNo rule found on an official page. Check with the city or county.Permit office
Unincorporated Holmes CountyCounty FAQ: RVs may not be a primary residence. Florida law 125.023 allows one temporary shelter after the declaration when its conditions are met. Ask the county.Official source
Marianna (Jackson County, FL)
City of MariannaCode bans living in an RV and fixed utility hookups to one; conflicts on its face with Florida law 166.0335. Ask the city.Official source
City of GracevilleTravel trailers may not be used for living purposes. Florida law 166.0335 allows one temporary shelter after the declaration when its conditions are met. Ask City Hall.Official source
Town of SneadsCode bans RV occupancy in town and threatens water disconnection; conflicts on its face with Florida law 166.0335. Ask the town.Official source
Unincorporated Jackson CountyOwner may live in an RV up to 18 months while building a new home, with development orders and permits. Florida law 125.023 also applies after the declaration.Official source
Tallahassee (Leon County)
City of TallahasseePost-disaster program can permit an RV on the lot of an uninhabitable home, regardless of zoning, once activated by the City Commission. Six months, extendable.Official source
Unincorporated Leon CountySame post-disaster program as the city, activated by the County Commission. Six months, extendable.Official source

Each area page has the full rule, the exact quote, the permit office, and the county emergency management link: Mobile and Mobile County, AL, Baldwin County, AL, Pensacola and Escambia County, FL, Santa Rosa County, FL, Fort Walton Beach and Destin (Okaloosa County), FL, Panama City (Bay County), FL, Gulfport and Biloxi (Harrison County), MS, Pascagoula and Ocean Springs (Jackson County), MS, Hancock County, MS, Brewton and Atmore (Escambia County, AL), AL, Andalusia (Covington County), AL, Dothan and Enterprise (The Wiregrass), AL, Selma (Dallas County), AL, Montgomery area, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL, Birmingham area, AL, Hattiesburg area, MS, Lucedale (George County), MS, Picayune (Pearl River County), MS, Walton County, coast and inland, FL, Chipley and Bonifay (Washington and Holmes counties), FL, Marianna (Jackson County, FL), FL, Tallahassee (Leon County), FL. Storm facts, safety, and how Additional Living Expenses work are on temporary housing after Hurricane Isaias.

Frequently asked questions

Can I live in an RV on my own lot in Florida after Hurricane Isaias?

Florida law says that after the Governor declares a state of emergency for a natural emergency, a county or city may not prohibit one temporary shelter, such as an RV or trailer, on a residential lot where the home was made uninhabitable, for up to 36 months after the declaration or until a certificate of occupancy is issued, when you are making a good faith effort to rebuild, the unit is connected to water and electric, and you live in it. Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Bay are among the counties in the Governor's Executive Order 26-211. Permits for the hookups still go through the city or county.

Is there a statewide rule in Alabama or Mississippi?

We did not find a statewide rule in either state on living in a travel trailer on your own lot while you rebuild. It is set by the city, or by the county outside city limits, which is why this table goes city by city.

What does "check with the city or county" mean in the table?

It means we did not find the rule on an official city or county page or in the official code. It does not mean a trailer is allowed or that it is not. Call the permit office listed on the area page and ask whether a permit is needed, how long a temporary unit may stay, and what water, sewer, and power connections are required.

Do you check the rules before a trailer is delivered?

Yes. We confirm the local rules for the property address before delivery, and if a trailer on your lot is not the right fit, we will tell you. On a covered claim we bill the carrier directly under Additional Living Expenses.

Ask about a trailer on your 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, billed to your carrier where the claim covers it.

Sources, checked October 9, 2026

This is general information, not legal advice.