I agree with George. I believe the law was written to prevent owners turning lots into RV lots. But you have a house on the lot. So it's NOT a vacant lot. I would still be asking questions to the zoning people but I see you live in CA. Their laws are getting tougher on RV'ers. I believe when people see a RV, they think trailer park.

living out like you described, I would want to find out who complained. Someone must really have it out for you to complain about what you do on your own property where 1 car a week passes by. Good luck.

Well the ticket itself states " illegal vacant land use". The code agent said since the property is not divided you cant have 2 dwellings on it. Since i hooked it up to water and ran a line for electric out to it they consider it a dwelling. The code agent told me to unhook it from all utilities and he would inspect (yesterday) since court was today, and he would come and look at it and if it was unhooked he would go to court and dismiss the ticket and we didnt have to show up. I took him at his word, yesterday there was no note on the house or the trailor doors saying we were still in violation, and when i got home today there was a note on the door saying a $5000 warrant was issued for not appearing. So ill be in court on monday to take care of that, and in the afternoon i will be at city hall dealing with the inspector. He does know its a 5th wheel and not a mobile home cause he stood right there with my husband to discuss it. I wish it was mistaken identity lol. The trailer is out of the front line of the house, its 600 feet behind the house toward the back of my property. I guess i dont understand how homes can be sold with "hook ups" and be legal, but when you add your own hook ups it becomes illegal (i dont have anything that is unsafe all wireing was completed by a licensed contractor, and i ran my own water to it). I did what the inspector told me to do but im still in hot water i guess. I dont know how to battle the city, and im feeling that my freedom of having my vacation equipment on my own property is to much of a hastle. Im at a loss....

You have elected officials. Go see them and then write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, call the TV station, raise a stink.

Of course your first mistake was believing the fellow when he told you that you didn't have to appear. I would have been there no matter what. He may have forgotten, etc. I don't take anyones word on something like that - it isn't finished until I have a SIGNED letter stating that everything is ok.

Barb

What is the exact zoning of your property? I would find it very hard to imagine a 5 acre parcel would be zoned R1 (residential, single unit only).
Keep us all posted!

They're in California- most of the state is probably now listed as R1 to slow down the over congestion. That's the way it is on the east coast. Most states are down to R1 to try to relieve congestion problems.

I'm in CA, too, and have experienced more than our share of frustration with the incompetent so-and-so's working in the City planning & permits & code enforcement depts. But, sheesh, he's on five acres.