County follows city, adopts RV park rules
The Shackelford County Commissioners Court approved a new set of regulations Monday morning establishing minimum standards for recreational vehicle parks throughout the county. The decision comes less than two weeks after the City of Albany adopted its own RV park ordinance on October 13, signaling a coordinated effort to manage fast-moving growth tied to regional construction and workforce housing.
Both city and county leaders say the regulations are a response to the rapid rise of RV parks and temporary housing sites appearing across the Big Country. The trend is fueled by major construction projects in Taylor County—including multiple data centers—and new developments now extending into Shackelford County. County officials noted that these projects have brought a sharp increase in short-term workers seeking local accommodations, with similar large-scale developments likely to follow.
The commissioners began their review using a copy of Callahan County’s RV park resolution, which served as a framework for drafting local rules. The document was rewritten to meet Shackelford County’s needs before being adopted unanimously as a countywide resolution.
Under the new rules, anyone planning to construct an RV park outside city limits must first submit a detailed infrastructure plan to the Commissioners Court. The county’s four commissioners will serve as the Development Review Committee, responsible for evaluating site plans, verifying that construction meets county standards, and approving or rejecting applications. The review process will ensure that new developments include proper utilities, drainage, and access for emergency services before construction begins.
The regulations set clear requirements for lot size, setbacks, and infrastructure. Each park must have a certified water supply, engineered septic system, and buried utility lines. Roads within the park must be wide enough for emergency vehicles and surfaced with compacted gravel or similar material to remain passable in all weather. Developers are also required to install screening or fencing where RV parks border residential properties and to provide sufficient dumpster service for waste disposal.
A change made during Monday’s meeting reduced the minimum tract size from five acres to one acre, allowing smaller developments to qualify under the new standards while still maintaining safety and health requirements. Existing parks may continue operating if they meet state guidelines for water and wastewater systems, but any expansion or new construction must comply fully with the new county rules.
The county’s action mirrors the steps taken by the City of Albany earlier this month. At the time of the city’s meeting, there were about 88 RVs within city limits; by last week that number had risen to 95, underscoring how quickly new spaces are being occupied. Officials say the surge illustrates why both levels of local government are moving quickly to put clear, enforceable regulations in place before further expansion occurs.
Across the region, the scope of development continues to grow. In neighboring Hamby, a 2,200-space RV park is already under construction to accommodate workers tied to data-center projects in Taylor County and Shackelford County. County leaders said the Shackelford County rules are designed to prepare for similar pressures locally, ensuring that any new parks meet consistent standards for infrastructure, sanitation, and long-term maintenance.
The measure passed unanimously after more than an hour of review and discussion. Commissioners emphasized that adopting the rules immediately was critical because of the time-sensitive nature of current development activity across the county.
