IS FREELANCE WRITING ILLEGAL IN SOME RV PARKS?

One of the most common rules in RV Parks is that no business activity is allowed. That could technically include writers, investors, artists, web designers, business consultants, or any other activity that makes money. If taken literally, this particular rule could exclude a lot of people from staying in most RV parks across the country.

So what do you do if you are a writer or consultant who uses your computer to earn a living while you travell?

After much discussion with various park owners I've discovered that these rules were made to prevent any activity that would be obvious to other guests. They don't want businesses that would:

1) Create or increase traffic.

This would include retail businesses operated from an RV or someone providing a service that requires customers to come into the RV Park. Writing and consulting don't normally cause such problems.

2) Cause a risk to the owners' reputation.

Anything illegal could risk the reputation of owners, but if a guest is not doing anything illegal, immoral, or creating excessive noise or pollution, RVers should have no problem. Obviously, operating an illegal Website could become a problem if it attracted the attention of authorities.

3) Cause a nuisance to other guests or create a hazard or risk for the park:

Obviously, making money as a mechanic who works on cars or RVs, giving haircuts and shampoos, or grooming animals, or any number of other activities could be a nuisance to other guests if they increase traffic or take place outside the RV. And some of these activities could run afoul of local officials if proper permits weren't obtained. However, businesses that use computers inside the RV, or where the guest leaves the Park to call on clients should in no way compromise the owners.

4) Use excessive utilities.

First of all, if you are on extended stay and paying for electricity along with your site rent, using your computer extensively should not be a problem. And those using their computers for business may not actually spend as many hours on them as non-working guests emailing their friends and surfing the Internet. Overnighters use the park's electricity, but since those visitors aren't on site for a long period it's doubtful that much extra electricty would be used.

So if you are a working writer or consultant you should have no fear of breaking this particular rule, or of angering management because of your business activities. If you obey the other rules and don't call attention to your business, you should not have to defend your activities.

Some places we stay know that I'm a writer while others don't. Writing has no more impact on the RV Park than guests using their computers for emails and to surf the Internet, so there is little to be concerned about. The only reason I could think that management might kick someone out of a park for violating that rule would be that they use it as an excuse to get rid of someone they want to exclude for some other reason, which could be anything from discrimination based on race and nationality, or simply not liking the condition of their RV.

So do freelance writers need to fear being refused a site in an RV Park? The answer is no as long as you don't call unnecessary attention to yourself or your rig. Write to your heart's content and enjoy a thousand different views outside your window as you roam the continent. We RVing writers are a very lucky group of individuals.