Loxahatchee Groves RV Ordinance 2026: Latest Rules Explained

Loxahatchee Groves Keeps Reworking Its RV Rules: What's in the Latest Draft

For most of 2026, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council has been trying to rewrite the rules for recreational vehicles (RVs) used as living space on rural lots. At an Oct. 20 workshop, the council reviewed its latest draft, which would raise the acreage needed for two occupied RVs to 4.5 acres, cap occupancy at 179 days a year and add inspections and enforcement steps. Supporters say clear, specific rules are the only way to make the program work. Some residents and council members worry the changes could hurt equestrian owners and families who have followed the rules for years. Here's what's in the draft and what each side has said.

The latest Lox Groves RV draft at a glance

Two RVs: Allowed only on properties of 4.5 acres or more (an August draft set this at two acres)
No combining: Owners can't combine allowances from neighboring parcels they own
Occupancy: Up to 179 days in any 12-month period, instead of six months
Applications: Must include a site plan sketch and utility connections
Inspections: Recommended annual utility inspections at certain agricultural RV sites, with a possible $150 fee
Status: Reviewed at an Oct. 20, 2026 workshop; the council will consider it again at a future meeting

How we got here

Town leaders have been revising the RV program for months, with workshops in the spring and summer. In August, the council discussed simplifying the rules and making enforcement more complaint-driven, and an earlier draft allowed one RV on lots under two acres and two RVs on lots of two acres or more, with permitted electrical, water and wastewater connections, the Town-Crier reported. The October version tightens several of those provisions.

The case for the new rules

Clear rules make compliance possible. "Unfortunately, you have to give stipulations," Councilman Paul Coleman said in August, explaining why the ordinance needs specific language even if enforcement is complaint-driven. "You can't give a five-item list of rules and call it a day."
Utilities and safety. The draft requires site plans, utility details and inspections so that occupied RVs have safe water, wastewater and electrical connections.
A long effort to get it right. "We have spent a lot of brain power on this ordinance," Town Attorney Gemma Torcivia said. "We know it's very important to you all."

The case for caution

Equestrian businesses. Council members questioned whether the new acreage limits could hurt residents who rely on RVs for equestrian work, such as housing help during the season.
Fairness to rule followers. One resident, a former council member, argued the draft would be unfair to owners of larger properties and to residents who have pulled permits year after year, and noted that installing utilities can be expensive.
Too many revisions. In August, residents urged the council to keep the program simple, necessary and complaint-driven after months of changing drafts.

The same debate in Wellington

Next door, Wellington is weighing the opposite question: whether to allow more RVs in the Rustic Ranches neighborhood. See our story on Rustic Ranches RVs and grooms' housing. For more on Loxahatchee Groves, read about the town's budget and tax rate.

What happens next

The council plans to consider the revised ordinance at a future meeting through the normal approval process. At its Nov. 3 meeting, the council is also scheduled to discuss how to hire a permanent town manager and its top capital improvement projects.

What do you think?

Should Loxahatchee Groves tighten its RV rules, or keep them simple and rely on complaints? If you live in the Groves, how would the 4.5-acre threshold affect you?

Frequently asked questions

How many RVs can you have in Loxahatchee Groves?

The rules are still being revised. The draft reviewed on Oct. 20, 2026 would allow two occupied RVs only on properties of 4.5 acres or more, and owners couldn't combine allowances from neighboring parcels.

How long can someone live in an RV in Loxahatchee Groves?

The latest draft would limit occupancy to 179 days in any consecutive 12-month period, replacing a six-month limit.

Do RVs in Loxahatchee Groves need utility connections?

Yes. Drafts require permitted electrical, water and wastewater connections, and the latest version adds a site plan sketch with the application and recommends annual utility inspections at certain agricultural RV sites, with a possible $150 fee.

When will Loxahatchee Groves vote on the RV ordinance?

The council plans to consider the revised ordinance at a future meeting through the normal approval process. No date had been set as of late October 2026.