As Springdale continues to grow alongside the rest of Northwest Arkansas, city leaders updated long-standing zoning laws to meet changing housing needs and clear the way for more RV parks as a flexible, short-term option for the area’s expanding workforce and population.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Springdale’s population now sits just above 89,000, an increase of about 13,000 since 2014.
“In Northwest Arkansas, when you have all this growth and development, you’ve got a lot of those people that are coming in. And what we found is that a lot of those folks that are coming in for a short term love that RV park lifestyle, versus trying to stay in a hotel,” said Derek Gibson, an investor in Ozark RV Park.
Gibson’s request to expand the Ozark RV Park was denied last December. But on Tuesday night, the Springdale City Council approved updates to a more than 20-year-old zoning ordinance in a 6-1 vote, paving the way for RV park growth in the city.
“We think we can bring 40 to 50 more spots into our RV park,” Gibson said.
Recognizing the need for change, Springdale’s Planning Director Sharon Tromburg and her team spent months reviewing and updating the city’s zoning laws. The new ordinance outlines specific design, location, and safety requirements for future RV parks.
“The current standards that had been developed years ago were, frankly, outdated,” Tromburg said. “They did not align with the current development rules that we put forth with commercial developments. Whether it was stormwater management, emergency access, traffic flows, or utilities, there were a lot of issues that needed to be addressed.”
Though Springdale previously allowed RV parks in limited zoning districts, the new ordinance creates a separate zoning classification, opening the door for additional development.
“Creating a separate district for it will open up the opportunities for different RV parks in Springdale,” Tromburg explained.
As for concerns about RV parks encroaching on residential neighborhoods, Tromburg says the ordinance includes protections.
“If an RV park is proposed next to single-family residential or any type of residential zoning, there is a requirement of a 200-foot buffer setback,” she said.
There are currently no proposals to build new RV parks in Springdale, but Tromburg says the updated ordinance could help ease the city’s housing shortage by offering a temporary, flexible solution.
“We might see seasonal workers or traveling professionals, individuals in transition,” she said. “So in the context of housing shortage, the RV parks do offer an alternative that meets immediate shelter needs without requiring permanent infrastructure or long-term commitments for housing.”
