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Old 06-18-2009, 01:29 PM   #1
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Land use in CA, permits, can I just park it on raw land?

Hi - I'm new.

I've been looking into buying some land in CA and parking an Airstream on it and using it for a vacation getaway. I can't find much on zoning and permits - and I guess they vary from county to county. But I assume there are some general rules about this.

If I buy an acre or two, can I park an Airstream on it without worry? I know living in it full time is another issue, but what if I only "live" in it for a few days per month?

If anyone has experience with living on your land in CA, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks!
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Old 06-18-2009, 02:22 PM   #2
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It really depends on where the land is.

Do you have an area in mind?
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Old 06-18-2009, 02:31 PM   #3
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I'm looking at Sonoma county - Guerneville area or anywhere within a 20 mile radius. Alternately, I'd consider the foothills around Placerville or north around Oroville.

I've found a couple of articles now, searching for "trailer homesteading".
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Old 06-18-2009, 03:01 PM   #4
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Sorry, I don't know anything about that area. Someone who does will help out.
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Old 06-18-2009, 03:27 PM   #5
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Hello Benair,

I work in Santa Rosa, not far from Guerneville. Many folks live in RV's down by the Russian river area or have summer homes. My first hunch is that the county does not allow it unless you are building or have a structure already there. You might consider putting up a metal building and rolling inside and keeping the whole thing a secret. I know that people put ads on craigslist all the time listing that they have extra room on their property for a trailer live in. I just dont think its legal. You could always buy something and take a chance with the neighbors. People are pretty nice out that way and may just accept it. Just keep a low profile.

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Old 06-18-2009, 05:22 PM   #6
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Thanks! It's as I feared. Looks like I'm better off finding a shack where I can park an RV.
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Old 07-05-2009, 10:21 PM   #7
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Wait, so you mean to tell me, I buy a plot of land out in the sticks, and I can't just park my trailer there and live in it?
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Old 07-05-2009, 10:26 PM   #8
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You would have to check with the local planning dept. It may be a county or a city one. Don't believe what a realtor says—too many of them just want to sell the property. I have friends who are realtors, so I know some are honest, but all the same, best to check with the locals yourself.

One problem is water and sewer. I would think the majority of jurisdictions require some sort of permanent sewage disposal and water supply for any type of residence.

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Old 07-06-2009, 10:17 PM   #9
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Wait, so you mean to tell me, I buy a plot of land out in the sticks, and I can't just park my trailer there and live in it?
Nope. Not here in California, unless you don't come to the attention of the authorities. Usually only if a neighbor complains.
Like Gene said, it's for health and safety reasons related to water, sewage and safe electrical hook-ups.
Not saying it's right, just saying...
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Old 07-06-2009, 10:34 PM   #10
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I am a CA native and built many residential and commercial properties. It is difficult to do anything with land in this beautiful state. There is always one more hearing, permit or complaint to deal with. One more fee, study or offical visit. I love CA but won't be able to live here much longer. The land of fruits and nuts. Paradise destroyed. Be careful where you purchase land. The zoning is always changing!!! Best of luck.
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Old 07-06-2009, 10:41 PM   #11
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We bought a lot just under an acre in Nevada City Ca. I too thought about parking the trailer on the property when the building begins. It looks like as long as I have permits and the building process has begun I am allowed to stay on the property without grief. I can also leave the trailer up there on the property ( i wouldnt actually do this as I dont want someone to vandalize it) and I could go up on weekends and visit but i cant move into it and call it home. I would guess the sheriffs dept would be out to talk with me within a few weeks max.
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Old 07-06-2009, 11:20 PM   #12
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Glad I live in Colorado....
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Old 07-06-2009, 11:46 PM   #13
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Glad I live in Colorado....
Is that the 'Wild Wild West'?
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Old 07-06-2009, 11:58 PM   #14
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Hello,
I have lived in California my entire life... and it seems to me the general "rule" of thumb is that if you want to "live" in your trailer you can stay on your property with it for a total of something like 2 weeks or 30 days (can't remember which) out of 365. Must be self contained, etc. You can, however, stay on National Forest Land with a permit for 30 days in any one spot and then move to another for the next 30 days, I believe....

Good luck!
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Old 07-07-2009, 08:06 AM   #15
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Is that the 'Wild Wild West'?
Neil.

Scary enough, where I live it is.

CrawfordGene lives about an hour or so from us and it's the wild west out there too.

But dog gone it, those Californians keep moving here... And bring the traffic and their trailers, because you can live in it on your land if you want...
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Old 07-07-2009, 03:54 PM   #16
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Scary enough, where I live it is.

CrawfordGene lives about an hour or so from us and it's the wild west out there too.

But dog gone it, those Californians keep moving here... And bring the traffic and their trailers, because you can live in it on your land if you want...

Hey now.. thats enough beating up of Californians for one week... we are still getting over your comments about our driving..
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Old 07-07-2009, 05:28 PM   #17
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I know some people who do this, but not fulltiming in one place. It would come under the same rules as a mobile home. The authorities want you to have a legal septic and electrical hook-up.

I guess these things don't matter to the Colorado folks?(JOKING)

If you were to fulltime in your trailer on your own land, wouldn't you want a septic system and electrical anyway? I sure would!

My idea of fulltiming is to have a new view from the doorway every once in a while anyway. I could do about 2 or 3 years on the road for the cost of the septic system alone, and a lot more with the land purchase prices around here.

To each, their own

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Old 07-07-2009, 05:34 PM   #18
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Hey now.. thats enough beating up of Californians for one week... we are still getting over your comments about our driving..


I'm Sorry, Not all Californians are rude and bad drivers. I think I just happened to meet the majority of them..

We have plenty of friends out there and toughly enjoyed our trip there.

And I will come back (just skip LA) Unless I'm going to INland RV again.
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Old 07-07-2009, 09:16 PM   #19
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Ok.. The Golden state forgives you..
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Old 07-08-2009, 08:42 PM   #20
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The county purman and I live in has little in the way of land use regulation. But that means that your neighbor can put in all sorts of industrial things in near your house, destroy your property value, and the county will probably ok it. It's so wild out here that a couple of years ago a neighbor put a few rounds through my mailbox because he misinterpreted something I said. The sheriff's dept didn't think that was important enough to investigate. I outlived the guy—cancer and alcohol got him, so I got the last word.

Yes, it's something like the wild, wild west without singing cowboys.

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