ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF KAPLAN
CITY OF KAPLAN, LOUISIANA
ORDINANCE NUMBER: 26-10
AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) PARKS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) USE WITHIN THE CITY OF KAPLAN; TO ESTABLISH AN RV PARK ZONING DISTRICT (RVP); TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF KAPLAN, LOUISIANA:
SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND INTENT
The purpose of this Ordinance is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Kaplan by regulating the location, development, and operation of recreational vehicle (RV) parks and the use of recreational vehicles as living accommodations.
It is the intent of this Ordinance to:
Restrict recreational vehicles and campers as permanent or primary residences outside of approved RV parks;
Establish designated zoning districts for RV park development;
Ensure adequate infrastructure, sanitation, drainage, and safety standards;
Prevent incompatible land uses within residential and commercial areas;
Provide uniform standards for RV park design and operation.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:
Recreational Vehicle (RV): A motorhome, travel trailer, fifth-wheel trailer, camper, or similar portable structure designed for temporary living quarters.
RV Park: Any parcel of land where two (2) or more recreational vehicles are placed, located, or occupied for temporary living purposes.
RV Space / Pad: A designated site within an RV park intended for placement of one recreational vehicle.
Operator: The owner, manager, lessee, or person responsible for day-to-day operation of an RV park.
SECTION 3. PERMITTED LOCATIONS AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Recreational vehicles shall only be used as living accommodations within designated RV Park Districts (RVP) approved by the City of Kaplan.
No recreational vehicle shall be used as a permanent residence within the City limits except within an approved RV park.
SECTION 4. PROHIBITED USES
It shall be unlawful to:
A. Establish or operate an RV park in any zoning district other than the RVP District; B. Use recreational vehicles (RVÕs) as permanent dwellings outside approved RV parks;
C. Place multiple RVs on private property for residential occupancy outside an approved RV park; D. Install permanent foundations or improvements intended to convert an RV into a fixed dwelling unit; E. Expand RV park operations without City approval and zoning compliance.
SECTION 5. RV PARK DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
5.1 Minimum Site Requirements
Minimum site requirements shall be determined by zoning and site plan approval with a minimum land mass of 3 acres;
Site plan approval is required prior to any development.
5.2 RV Space Requirements
Each RV space shall:
Be clearly defined and individually numbered;
Have a minimum of 1,500 Ð 2,000 square feet per space;
Provide a minimum width of 25 feet;
Maintain a minimum separation of ten (10) feet between RV units.
5.3 Pads, Roads, and Surface Materials
RV parks shall be constructed using durable, all-weather surfaces.
RV pads and internal roads shall NOT consist of loose gravel, limestone, or crushed stone as the finished surface material.
Approved finished surfaces shall include: Concrete
Asphalt
Engineered permeable paving systems approved by the City Engineer
Loose aggregate materials may be permitted only as a sub-base beneath approved surfacing, subject to engineering approval.
All internal roads shall be designed to accommodate emergency vehicle access.
5.4 Utilities and Infrastructure
Each RV space shall be provided with:
Potable water connection;
Approved sewer or sanitary waste disposal system;
Electrical service connections in compliance with applicable codes.
All utilities shall comply with Louisiana State Plumbing Code and applicable electrical codes.
5.5 Setbacks and Buffers
Minimum ten (10) feet from all property boundaries;
Minimum ten (10) feet between RV spaces (unless otherwise approved);
Landscaping or buffer zones may be required by the City Council.
5.6 Drainage and Stormwater Control
All RV parks shall:
Be properly graded to prevent standing water;
Include a stormwater management plan approved by the City Engineer;
Prevent discharge of wastewater or gray water onto the ground surface.
SECTION 6. SITE PLAN AND APPROVAL PROCESS
No RV park shall be developed, expanded, or operated without:
Submission of a detailed site plan prepared by a qualified professional (engineer);
Review by the Planning and Zoning Commission;
Public hearing in accordance with Louisiana law;
Recommendation to the City Council;
Final approval by ordinance of the City Council.
SECTION 7. PERMITTING AND OPERATIONS
All RV parks shall obtain and maintain all required City permits and approvals.
Operation without valid approval shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance and may result in enforcement action including fines, closure, or revocation of approval.
SECTION 8. OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITY; NOISE AND NUISANCE CONTROL
8.1 Operator Responsibility
The owner, operator, and management of any RV park shall be jointly and severally responsible for compliance with all applicable City ordinances, including but not limited to noise, nuisance, health, sanitation, and zoning regulations.
8.2 Duty to Prevent Nuisances
The operator shall take all reasonable steps to prevent and abate nuisances, including but not limited to:
Excessive noise;
Disorderly conduct;
Illegal dumping or unsanitary conditions;
Accumulation of trash or debris;
Activities that disturb neighboring properties.
8.3 Enforcement Responsibility
Violations occurring within an RV park shall be deemed attributable to both the individual violator and the RV park operator where the operator fails to take reasonable corrective action after notice.
8.4 Corrective Action
Upon notice from the City, the operator shall take immediate corrective action, including removal of offending occupants or other reasonable measures to ensure compliance.
Failure to do so may result in fines, suspension, or revocation of RV park approval.
SECTION 9. ESTABLISHMENT OF RV PARK DISTRICT (RVP) AND REZONING PROCEDURE
9.1 Creation of RVP District
There is hereby created the RV Park District (RVP) as a special zoning classification intended exclusively for recreational vehicle park development.
9.2 Permitted Uses
Permitted uses within the RVP District shall include:
Recreational vehicle (RV) parks;
Temporary occupancy of recreational vehicles within approved parks;
Accessory uses such as bathhouses, laundry facilities, offices, and recreational amenities.
9.3 Rezoning Requirement
No RV park shall be developed or operated unless the property is first rezoned to the RVP District by the City Council.
9.4 Application Process
Applications shall include:
Legal description of property;
Engineered site plan;
Utility and drainage plans;
Development schedule and ownership information;
Any additional information required by the Planning Commission.
9.5 Planning Commission Review
The Planning Commission shall:
Conduct a public hearing;
Evaluate compliance with City planning objectives;
Forward a recommendation to the City Council.
9.6 City Council Action
The City Council may approve, modify, or deny rezoning requests by ordinance. Approved rezoning shall amend the official zoning map.
9.7 Conditions of Approval
The City Council may impose conditions including but not limited to:
Density limits;
Buffer requirements;
Infrastructure improvements;
Drainage requirements;
Operational restrictions.
Conditions shall run with the land.
9.8 Zoning Map Amendment
No RV park shall operate until the zoning map has been officially amended to reflect RVP designation.
SECTION 10. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Ordinance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions that can be given effect without the invalid portion, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
WHEREUPON, the above ordinance was read section by section, and was submitted to a vote, the vote thereon being as follows:
COUNCIL MEMBER: YEAS: NAYS: ABSENT:
DIRK GARY _______ _______
RANDY CAMPBELL _______ _______
MIKE RENFROW _______ _______ _______
JUSTIN JOHNSON _______ _______
CHUCK GUIDRY _______ _______ _______
The above ordinance was declared adopted on this 20th day of October, 2026.
________________________________
MIKE KLOESEL, MAYOR
________________________________
ASHLEY C. MILTON
CITY CLERK
CERTIFICATE
I, Ashley C. Milton, City Clerk of the City of Kaplan, do hereby certify that the above is a true and exact copy of an ordinance adopted by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Kaplan, duly assembled in Kaplan, Louisiana, on October 20, 2026, at which time a quorum was present and voting.
____________________________________
Ashley C. Milton
City Clerk
City of Kaplan
(PUBLISHED: SEPTEMER 23, 2026)
Cost: $