The purpose of this section is to regulate campgrounds and travel trailer parks in the City, and to provide the minimum standard specifications for the construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of said parks. Further, it is unlawful for any person to hereafter establish, maintain, conduct, or otherwise operate within the City limits, any campground or travel trailer park, unless such person will first obtain a special exception and other approval for the use of the described area as provided for herein. Recreational vehicles, tents, or other portable dwellings may not be used for human occupancy on any premises outside of a campground or travel trailer park, except when used for construction purposes at a job-site location with the permission of the City.

1.   Annual License and Inspection and Fees. The annual license fee for each campground will be set by resolution by the Council, (or any fractional portion thereof), and will be due and payable to the Clerk by the licensee on or before the last day of January of each year. Prior to the issuance of a license, the owner will provide to the Clerk a statement by the County Treasurer stating that payment of all fees and charges as required by Chapter 435 of the Code of Iowa, have been paid. The campground operator will be required to report to the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer and the Building Inspector every year at least 30 days prior to the opening for business of the park to inspect the various facilities of the campground, and to issue to the operator of said campground a notice showing compliance with the regulations of the City. The charge for the inspection will be borne by the campground operator at the rate per inspection set by resolution of the Council.

2.   Application for License to Operate a Campground. Any person desiring to operate or expand a campground will first file an application for a campground license with the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer. The application will be in writing, signed by the applicant and landowner and will be accompanied by an initial license fee as set by Council resolution. The application will contain the following:

   A.   Name and address of the applicant.

   B.   Street address location or legal description of the site, lot, or tract of land upon which the campground is to be located.

   C.   Duplicate sets of the plat of the campground, and plans and specifications of all buildings and other improvements.

   D.   Such further information as may be required by the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer and the Police Chief and Fire Chief to determine if the proposed campground will comply with all laws relating to the public health and safety.

   E.   Sufficient information to show complete compliance with Chapter 435 of the Code of Iowa. The Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer will forward said application and related materials to the Police Chief and Fire Chief for their review and consideration and, when they have rendered their decision the application materials will then be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council for final review, consideration, and action thereon.

2.   Design, Development, and Maintenance Standards. The following listed standards will be used in the design, development, and maintenance of campground/parks:

   A.   A maximum of 15 recreational vehicles or tents will be permitted on any acre of ground, including streets, within a campground.

   B.   The site, lot, or tract of land upon which the park is located, will be well drained and graded to insure adequate and proper water drainage and to eliminate the creation of pools of standing or stagnant water.

   C.   The main entrance to the park will be off of a public highway or street and said entrance must meet the approval of the City with regards to location, width, grade, drainage, etc.

   D.   Individual camp sites will be developed and no more than one recreational vehicle or tent will occupy a site at the same time.

   E.   Each site will be specifically developed appropriate to its use with easy access for trailers or motor homes, adequate parking, separate underground water, and electric service, and will be clearly marked with an easily read, identifying number.

   F.   The owner will provide blanket overhead and underground easements for the installation of utilities as requested.

   G.   All construction including electric and plumbing work, will be done to standards of national, State, and local codes as each applies and will meet the approval of the appropriate inspecting official of the City.

   H.   Provisions will be made for emptying holding tanks, if applicable.

   I.   All fires will be made in stoves or other equipment provided for that purpose. Open unattended fires will not be permitted.

   J.   Playground equipment suitable for small children will be provided by the park operator.

   K.   The park operator will assume all responsibility for the necessary insect and rodent control on the premises of the park.

   L.   The park operator will be required to keep an accurate and complete record of the overnight guests harbored in the park. Said records will include the guest’s name, address, auto license number, and the year and make of car. Also, the date of arrival and departure. This record will be shown upon request to any duly authorized representative of any law enforcement agency.

   M.   No guest will stay in a travel trailer longer than 14 days, with exceptions being made for sickness within the party or equipment breakdown of the guest’s auto or trailer, in which case, another week will be allowed.

   N.   The park will be lighted at night with not less than 200-watt lamps at intervals of 100 feet, or equivalent lighting approved by the City. Lamps must be located at least 15 feet above the ground.

   O.   An adequate supply of safe, potable water for drinking and domestic services will be provided for each site. An adequate supply of hot water will be provided at all times in the service buildings for bathing, washing, cleaning, and laundry facilities.

   P.   Each and every rule and regulation promulgated by the State Department of Health, Department of Natural Resources, and all City regulations now in effect, or which may hereafter be enacted affecting public health, will be complied with. Disposal systems for accepting sewage from tanks and self-contained aircraft type units will be maintained by the park operator. Said unit(s) will be conveniently located for units entering or leaving the park. These facilities will be inspected by the City at least once a year. The campground will be serviced by the public sewer system of the City or by a private disposal system as approved by the City. All sewage disposal apparatus including appurtenances thereto, will be provided, maintained, and operated in such a manner so as not to create a nuisance or health hazard. All plumbing provided in the campground will comply with State laws and local ordinances governing plumbing.

   Q.   An adequate system of enclosed refuse and garbage collection and necessary containers, therefore, will be provided by the campground operator and full use will be made of these services available for waste and garbage disposal. It will be the responsibility of the campground operator to provide such adequate service as may be required by the City.

3.   All requirements with respect to expansions or additions to existing parks will be with respect to said additions or expansion and will not require anything with respect to parks existing as of the adoption date of this Zoning Code, except as specifically provided for in this chapter, which would not have been required in the absence of such addition or expansion.