The primary purpose of development standards for campgrounds is to protect the health and safety of occupants and local residents and to maintain compatibility with surrounding land uses. Important considerations are suitability of the proposed site for campground development, size and spacing of campsites, vehicle circulation and parking, accessory uses, open space, and accessibility for emergency services. This article applies only to campgrounds, as defined herein, and shall apply in addition to requirements of state law for campgrounds, including without limitation those provisions set out in Code of Virginia, Title 35.1 and 12 VAC 5-450-10, et seq., for permitting and regulation by the Commonwealth Department of Health.

(Code 1997, § 66-801; Ord. No. 2016-006, § 3, 11-9-2016)

Cross reference— Businesses, ch. 18.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Campground means the use of land for commercial (for-profit) operation or for operation by an organization exempted from taxation by Internal Revenue Code and on which three or more campsites are located and maintained for occupancy as temporary living quarters for recreation or vacation purposes for 14 or more days in any consecutive 30-day period.

Campsite means and includes any plot of ground within a campground used or intended for the exclusive occupation by a camping unit or units under the control of the responsible camper.

Camping unit means and includes, without limitation, tents, treehouses, camping platforms, tent trailers, travel trailers, camping trailers, pick-up campers, motor homes, or any other device or vehicular-type structure as may be developed, marketed, and used for temporary living quarters or shelter during periods of recreation, vacation, leisure time, or travel.

Open space recreation areas means areas intended for recreational use that require no permanent structures or lighting facilities. Uses permitted within open space recreation areas include, without limitation, playgrounds, ballfields, and picnic areas.

Recreational vehicle means a vehicular type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. Recreational vehicles include, without limitation, travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, and motor home.

Recreational vehicle site means a campsite intended for the accommodation of a recreational vehicle on a temporary basis.

Responsible camper means the person designated by written agreement with the campground operator as responsible for rental and oversight of campsite or campsites.

(Code 1997, § 66-802; Ord. No. 2016-006, § 3, 11-9-2016)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

(a)

Campgrounds may be permitted in the following zones with a special exception:

(1)

CR conservation and recreation;

(2)

HR highlands recreation;

(3)

SR shoreland recreation;

(4)

A-1 limited agricultural;

(5)

A-2 general agricultural; and

(6)

Konnarock district.

(b)

Special exception permits may include conditions, including without limitation, requirements to limit hours of operation, implement specific lighting installations, maintain vegetative screening along boundaries or otherwise, increase or decrease parking facilities, additional setback due to nature of adjoining property use, and such other conditions as the board of supervisors deems necessary to carry out the intent of this article.

(Code 1997, § 66-803; Ord. No. 2008-006, § 1, 6-10-2008; Ord. No. 2016-006, § 3, 11-9-2016)

Every application submitted to the planning and zoning office for a special exception for a campground shall contain the following:

(a)

Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

(b)

Location, address and legal description of the entire proposed campground site.

(c)

Existing zoning of subject property and all adjacent properties.

(d)

Complete site plans and specifications of the proposed campground showing:

1.

The area, dimensions and topography of the entire tract of land;

2.

The land uses occupying the adjacent properties;

3

The number, size and location of the proposed campsites, and parking areas;

4.

The location, right-of-way, surfaced roadway, width and surfacing materials of roadways and walkways;

5.

The proposed interior vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns;

6.

The location of existing or proposed structures, use intended for each structure, and location of open space recreation areas;

7.

The locations and details of lighting, electric and gas systems;

8.

Letter of review of proposed site access issued by the Virginia Department of Transportation if open to wheeled vehicles;

9.

Summary of access to campground if it is not open to wheeled vehicles;

10.

If access is not from a publicly maintained street, then the applicant shall provide proof of unencumbered access; and

11.

Written acknowledgement of the need to comply with the permitting requirements of the Virginia Department of Health as well as the county zoning ordinance.

(e)

Where a campground is proposed for construction in a series of stages, a master plan for the development of the entire tract of land shall be submitted along with the detailed plans and specifications for the initial stage.

(Code 1997, § 66-804; Ord. No. 2016-006, § 3, 11-9-2016)

(a)

[Compliance with state standards.] Campgrounds shall comply with permit requirements of the Virginia Department of Health, the zoning ordinance regulations as stated in this article, and conditions stated in the special exception permit, which may be no less but possibly more stringent than the general requirements of the Department of Health and zoning ordinance.

(b)

Required separation between camping units. No part of any camping unit shall be placed within 7½ feet of the boundary line between campsites, which area between campsites shall be called the "buffer area" for purposes of this subsection. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the operator may allow camping units within the buffer area by mutual agreement of the responsible campers for adjoining campsites.

(c)

Parking pads. Each recreational vehicle site shall contain a stabilized vehicular parking pad of gravel or other suitable material.

(d)

Parking spaces. An average of at least 1½ parking spaces shall be provided per campsite if campground is open to wheeled vehicles. Parking spaces may be located at each campsite or in a separate parking area within the campground.

(e)

Access. If an entrance permit is required by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the applicant shall obtain such entrance permit prior to initiating campground operations.

(f)

Setbacks. The minimum front setback shall be 50 feet from any street right-of-way; minimum side and rear setbacks shall be 15 feet. No campsites or parking areas may be located within these setback areas; and no use other than open space recreation may occupy the setback area.

(g)

Screening. Vegetation or other landscaping features are encouraged to screen camping sites from adjacent land uses.

(h)

Water and sewer. If public water or sewer system is available to the campground, such system shall be utilized, unless such requirement is waived by special exception permit condition.

(i)

Accessory uses. Convenience establishments of a commercial nature, including, without limitation, small grocery stores and concessions, coin-operated laundries, recreational facilities, including swimming pools, saunas, game rooms, playgrounds, ballfields, basketball and tennis courts, horseback riding, picnic areas and boat marinas, and other uses and structures incidental to the operation of a campground may be permitted subject to approval stated by description in the special exception permit.

(Code 1997, § 66-805; Ord. No. 2016-006, § 3, 11-9-2016)

(a)

No camping unit in a campground shall be used as a permanent place of abode. Continuous occupancy extending beyond 90 days in any 12-month period shall be presumed to be permanent occupancy.

(b)

Any action towards removal of wheels of a recreational vehicle, except for temporary purposes of repair, is prohibited.

(c)

No permanent external appurtenances such as carports, additions or patios may be attached to any camping unit in a campground.

(d)

The campground operator shall maintain records of campground occupancy sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the prohibition against permanent occupancy. Such records shall include initial date of arrival and final departure for the party of each responsible camper and shall not be destroyed for a period of 12 months following the final date of departure.

(Ord. No. 2016-006, § 3, 11-9-2016)

Editor's note— Sec. 3 of Ord. No. 2016-006, adopted Nov. 9, 2016, amended § 66-816 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former § 66-816 pertained to the requirement of a record of persons registering, and derived from § 66-806 of the 1997 Code.