Local Landowners Fight Back Against Town of Richland’s “Heavy-Handed” Zoning Rules on RVs and Campers – Is This Government Overreach?

Pulaski, NY – Residents and property owners in the Town of Richland are sounding the alarm over strict new (or newly enforced) zoning regulations that they say strip away basic property rights and treat hardworking landowners like criminals for simply using land they own.

The rules ban travel trailers, campers, and recreational vehicles on vacant lots with no permits allowed and threaten immediate removal at the owner’s expense. Even on your own property, owners face tight limits: only 15 days to connect water, sewer, or electric, a $250 annual fee just to use a camper while building, and a two-year storage cap before it’s labeled “junk.”

One affected landowner put it plainly: “I paid for the land. I pay the taxes. The town doesn’t own it — I do. These rules violate the New York State Constitution’s Bill of Rights by taking away property rights without due process and without any compensation.”

This isn’t just about RVs. It affects families who want affordable temporary housing while building a home, landlords managing their properties, and anyone who owns vacant land in the town. Critics call it a money grab and an attack on the fundamental American right to use what you own.

Is the Town of Richland trampling on constitutional protections?

Article I of the New York State Constitution (the Bill of Rights) clearly states:

• No one shall be deprived of property without due process of law.
• Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

Many residents believe these zoning rules cross that line and turn basic land ownership into a government-controlled privilege.

We Need Your Help – And the Media’s Spotlight

If you’re a Town of Richland property owner, landlord, or concerned resident, now is the time to speak up. Write or email the Town today demanding these rules be repealed or revised.

Contact the Town:

• Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer Jim Sprague: [email protected][1] or (315) 298-5174 ext. 1021
• Town Supervisor: [email protected][2]
• Town Board meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 PM, Town Hall, 1 Bridge Street, Pulaski, NY 13142