Campgrounds shall meet the following additional standards:
A. Applicable Law: Campgrounds shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. Campgrounds shall meet all application requirements, general standards, and specific standards in this title and chapter. Campgrounds are permitted only in the zoning districts listed below.
B. Ownership, Occupancy: A campground shall be established on a single parcel or lot. The maximum occupancy for the campground is based on the number of tent sites and shall be four persons per tent site.
C. Height Regulations: No building or structure shall be less than eight feet in height, or more than fourteen feet in height. Except, an open pavilion larger than twenty feet (20') wide may have a height not to exceed twenty feet (20').
D. Area, Street Frontage, and Setback Regulations:
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OSC-20 | 20 acres | | | | | 1 tent site per 5 acres |
OST-20 | 20 acres | | | | | 1 tent site per 2 acres |
A-20 | 20 acres | | | | | 1 tent site per 2 acres with bona fide AG operation |
A-40 | 40 acres | 400' | 25' | 25' | 25' | 1 tent site per 2 acres with bona fide AG operation |
Overlay Zones | NA | | | | | Campgrounds not permitted in any zone if inside an Overlay Zone |
E. Site Plan Approval: A site plan approved by the county is required showing all details listed in this chapter, including:
1. A contour map showing the topography of the lot or parcel, the areas to be disturbed, and the areas to be preserved as undisturbed.
2. Off-site public access, roadways, right-of-way widths, and surfacing materials. On-site access, roadways, right-of-way widths, surfacing materials, and internal vehicle and pedestrian circulation. Layout of all roads shall conform to the topography of the land.
3. Tent site details including the number, size, location, required setbacks, surfacing materials, amenities, picnic tables, shade structures, and firepits. Show routes between tent sites and amenities.
4. A construction plan including the construction schedule, and defining clear construction and disturbance limits. Construction materials shall match the landscape, natural character and colors of the area.
5. The location and details for all camp host sites.
6. The location and details for all structures and caretaker dwellings.
7. The location of all perpetually protected open space to obtain a density bonus.
8. The location and details for all required parking and guest parking.
9. The location and details for all required trash containers, utilities, culinary water, septic, wastewater and bathroom facilities.
10. A plan for caretaking and maintenance of the campground.
11. A plan for fire preparedness and protocols for responding to fires on or in the vicinity of the campground.
F. Density Bonus; Clustering Tent Sites: The applicant shall specify the location of each tent site meeting all setback requirements. Clustering is encouraged, and reduces the impact on the land by limiting disturbance areas. Clustering reduces the number of roads, and provides central locations for amenities and utility infrastructure. The preservation of open space is encouraged, and a density bonus of 0.50 shall be given if a minimum of one acre of open space per tent site is perpetually protected to county's satisfaction by a conservation easement, or a recorded deed restriction (i.e. allowed density of 20 tent sites can be increased to 30 tent sites if 30+ acres is perpetually protected to county's satisfaction). Disbursing tent sites is discouraged except for the limited purpose of providing appropriate distances between tent sites and visual privacy.
G. Campground Access: Access requirements vary based on the density of the campground, as set forth herein. Individual tent sites shall not have direct access to a public street. For campgrounds with 20 tent sites or more, the internal access roads to tent sites shall be looped for emergency access, via a one-way loop, or via internal roads wide enough for passing. Provide adequate back-in spurs and pull through tent sites. All public access roads and easements shall be constructed and maintained as set forth herein to county's standards. All public access easements shall be maintained by the campground. All internal access roads shall be constructed and maintained by the campground to provide adequate drainage. All access requirements in
10-5-3(E) apply to campgrounds. The campground lot or parcel may assert public access via the county's claimed public access or R.S. 2477 rights-of-way. Also, the campground lot or parcel is subject to and shall not impair, encroach, or interfere with county's claimed public access or R.S. 2477 rights-of-way.
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| Gravel, All-weather or Paved - dedicated road or recorded perpetual easement for public access 25' min. width | 0-19 tent sites one-way loop (14' min. width) or better Gravel, All-weather or Paved |
| Gravel, All-weather or Paved - dedicated road or recorded perpetual easement for public access 25' min. width | 20-39 tent sites one-way loop (14' min. width), or two-way road (20' min. width) Gravel, All-weather or Paved |
| Paved - dedicated road 50' min. width of road with 28' min. width of pavement | 40-59 Paved Two-way (20' min. width) |
| Paved, Dedicated Road 50' min. width with 28' min. width of pavement | 60+ Paved (28' min. width) |
H. Tent Site Requirements:
1. Designated Pad Area: Each tent site shall have a clearly designated pad area for each unit of density. It shall be level, and clear of debris and foliage. It shall have drainage, so the pad area remains dry. The designated pad area can vary in type, surface, or construction. If approved by the county, it may be a removeable platform at grade level provided by the campground. The designated pad area shall not be concrete or asphalt; except, if the designated pad area is for a camp trailer, travel trailer, RV, or motor home, it may be a hard surface if approved by the county.
2. Tent Site Cluster: The tent sites can be singles or in clusters. Each tent site equals one unit of density whether singles or clusters.
3. Tent Site Amenities: There shall be a minimum of one picnic table for each tent site. For tent site areas without natural shade, there shall be a minimum of one constructed shade structure for every two picnic tables.
4. For campgrounds with 40 tent sites or more, provide one accessible tent site for every 10 tent sites or fraction thereof above 40. Accessible tent sites shall have connected parking, picnic table with shade structure, and firepit areas. The connected areas shall be paved with material that is flat and slip resistant appropriate for wheelchair use (i.e., textured paving or concrete, not gravel).
I. Vehicle Parking Space: Each tent site shall have one designated vehicle parking space in addition to the designated pad area for the tent site. If the tent site is designated for a camp trailer, travel trailer, RV, or motor home, the designated pad area for the tent site and the vehicle parking space may be in tandem. Additionally, there shall be one guest parking space for every five tent sites located in convenient locations for the tent sites served. Clustered parking, meeting the vehicle parking space minimums, is permitted if in convenient locations for the tent sites served. Each vehicle parking space shall have a wheel stop.
J. Fire and Firepits: Firepit areas shall be designated on the site plan. Fires shall be limited to areas with approved firepits with metal fire rings similar to those approved by the U. S. Forest Service or BLM. Portable propane fire pits also are permitted if placed in the designated firepit area. Seasonal fire restrictions apply, and the campground shall make all campers aware of current fire restrictions. Clearly posted fire restrictions are required.
K. Length of Stay: Each tent site shall be vacated, and the temporary sleeping quarter removed and not remain on-site for longer than the 14 day length of stay limit. No consecutive bookings are permitted to exceed the length of stay limit. Return visits shall not be booked without a minimum of 14 days off-site.
L. Camp Hosts: Camp hosts are required for campgrounds as set forth below. Each camp host shall have a designated camp host site with a minimum of one tent site and one vehicle parking space. Each camp host shall have reliable 24/7 communication services for emergencies. For campgrounds with 20 tents sites or more camp host sites shall have access to an electric power source other than a generator. For campgrounds with 40 tent sites or more camp host sites also shall have utility and culinary water hookups when the tent site numbers reach the levels set forth in paragraphs P and Q below, with the utility hookups at a pedestal for plug-in. Non-pedestal options may be approved by the Building Official in writing. For campgrounds with 60 tent sites or more, camp host sites shall connect to public system or an on-site wastewater system. For campgrounds with 20 tent sites or more camp hosts shall be on-site 24/7. For campgrounds with 80 tent sites or more, one additional camp host and camp host site is required for every 20 tent sites or fraction thereof:
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| | Owner/operator shall maintain campground and tent sites daily |
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M. Caretaker Dwelling: One caretaker dwelling, not to exceed 1200 sq ft, may be permitted for every 40 tent sites. No accessory dwellings are permitted. Each caretaker dwelling shall meet all federal, state and local regulations for a single family dwelling.
N. Trash; Vermin Vault: Each single tent site, or tent site cluster, shall have a minimum of one animal proof trash container. Additionally, the campground shall have centralized animal proof trash containers with adequate capacity for the campground. All trash containers for a tent site or tent site cluster shall be emptied daily. All central trash containers shall be emptied on an adequate and regular schedule to prevent odor, pest infestation, or unsanitary conditions. All trash containers shall be cleaned and sanitized on an adequate and regular schedule.
O. Noxious Weeds: It is the responsibility of the owner and campground to prevent, control and abate all noxious weeds on the lot or parcel.
P. Utilities: Each campground shall provide proof of all required utilities, approved by the county and service providers, prior to campground site approval and prior to business license approval. Each campground with 60 tent sites or more shall comply with all zone requirements listed in
10-5-3, treating large campground approval similarly to zone change approval for purposes of water, sewer/septic, fire, power, and access. Use of generators is not permitted unless integrated in a RV or motorhome, and never permitted during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. On-site solar is permitted and encouraged.
Q. Culinary Water: For campgrounds with 20-39 tent sites, one culinary water faucet is required in a central location. For campgrounds with 40-59 tent sites or more, one additional culinary water faucet is required for every 20 tent sites or fraction thereof, located in convenient locations for the tent sites served. For campgrounds with 60 tent sites or more, connect to a public water system, or comply with all Health Department regulations for water systems.
R. Septic; Wastewater; Bathroom Facilities: All campgrounds shall have adequate septic, wastewater, and bathroom systems and facilities. Bathrooms shall be clean and stocked continuously. All bathroom facilities shall have adequate waste removal systems for the type, and use numbers, serviced at adequate intervals. At a minimum, porta potty waste removal shall be weekly. For campgrounds with 60 or more tent sites, wastewater shall be disposed of according to state and federal laws and regulations, by connecting to public systems or using on-site wastewater systems approved by the Health Department. All septic systems shall be serviced yearly at a minimum. No campground, camper or person shall drain, dump or deposit refuse, or waste from any trailer or other vehicle on the campground property except as provided in authorized public or private wastewater systems. No campground, camper or person shall dump or deposit human waste or wastewater on the campground property except as provided in authorized public or private human waste receptacles or wastewater systems.
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| Porta potties allowed if adequate in number for tent sites and use (2 minimum). | Not required |
| Pit toilets allowed w/lined vaults, adequate in size and number for tent sites and use. Porta potties not allowed. | Not required |
| Pit toilets allowed w/lined vaults, adequate in size and number for tent sites and use (2 minimum). Porta potties not allowed. | |
| Connect to public system or an on-site wastewater system. | Required (1 shower/1 sink minimum for every 15 tent sites) |
S. Campground Reservations and Rules: All campgrounds shall have an online reservation system, and shall maintain records showing that it is in compliance with county regulations, tent site density limits, and length-of-stay limitations. Appropriate campground rules shall be clearly posted on-site, provided to campers, and on the online reservation site. Campgrounds and camp hosts are responsible for campers' adherence to campground rules. Campground rules shall prohibit any unlawful activities on the premises.
T. Business License: All campgrounds shall obtain and maintain a valid county business license, continuously meeting all county requirements, and, as a condition of renewal, have a yearly county inspection, and provide proof of insurance.
U. Proof of Insurance: All campgrounds shall obtain and maintain a valid comprehensive general liability insurance policy with minimum coverage of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per person and three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) million per occurrence. (Ord. 2023-1231-O, 4-18-2023)