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What constitutes an RV
Park or Campground?
An RV Park is defined as a developed campground that
accommodates two or more recreational vehicles on camping spaces for paying
guests. All or some of the camping
sites provide recreational vehicle utilities for water, sewer, electrical power,
cable, or telephone. A campground
is any parcel of land designed for camping or outdoor recreation containing two
or more spaces. Campgrounds may or
may not be designed to accommodate RV vehicles or paying guests and may be
classified as primitive, semi-primitive, or developed.
How do
I start a new RV Park or Campground?
New RV Parks are permitted through the planning section of Building
and Planning. If you are interested in opening a new RV Park
in Cowlitz County you need to discuss your plans and the
requirements with the planning section of the Building and Planning
Department. Permitting a new RV Park is a complex land use
action governed under Cowlitz County Code
CCC 18.56.
Is
there a fee for opening and operating an RV Park or Campground?
There are
several fees involved in the process. There are fees associated with the preliminary
conference application, the application for
preliminary site plan approval, the final site plan, and the RV Park operating fee required prior to opening
the approved park. The fee
for a yearly operating permit varies depending on the total number of
approved sites. The fee structure is set for 1-30 sites, 31-60 sites, 61-100
sites and greater than 101 sites.
Tent sites are included in the total number and are considered
dependant sites with no individual sewer connection. Operating permits
run from January through December, but will be prorated for parks opening during the
year
What is an anti-siphon
device?
This is a water backflow
prevention device that prevents back siphoning in a water system caused by
pressure reduction. This device will eliminate the possibility of a cross
connection between potable water and contamination sources.
The anti-siphon device is required on all water spigots with threaded
ends. Both the Uniform Plumbing Code and
CCC 18.56 Campground and Recreation Facilities require this device.
RV owners often unknowingly remove the devices when disconnecting
their water hoses from park spigots, however, there are
models available that are non-removable and management practices that could
eliminate the problem.
How many RV’s can I park in my RV site?
Each
space is limited to one (1) recreational vehicle, but three (3) camping units.
If the RV owner wishes to set up one or two tents on the site, it is
allowed under County regulations. This rule is subject to
individual park policies, however, so prior approval by the park owner/operator
is required.
If I decide to add sites to my existing RV Park/campground, what
requirements must be met?
Any alterations, reconstruction, expansions, or modifications
to an existing park or campground must be applied for, and approved through the
Building and Planning Department.
All proposed changes shall be required to meet the current standards and
requirements of
CCC 18.56.
Who
is responsible for compliance with County regulations on individual RV
sites?
Park or
campground owners and managers are responsible for compliance with the
provisions of
CCC 18.56, and each is responsible for tenant
compliance. Owners/ managers are
required to establish rules and regulations for the management of the park or
campground, and its guests and employees while in the park/campground.
Can I set up a temporary
campground?
Yes, but application for a temporary campground must be made
and approved by the department. A
temporary campground is defined as a site that has been approved at least twenty
(20) days in advance of use, and is utilized for camping units for fourteen (14)
days or less per year. There is a
fee required for a temporary campground application and the campgrounds are
inspected for environmental health issues prior to operating.
The application should include a detailed site plan.
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