Chapter 18.31 TRAILERS AND TRAILER CAMPS

For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined as follows, and certain provisions shall be apparent from their context that they have different meaning:

A. Camp Car or Trailer. Any vehicle used for living or sleeping purposes, and when said vehicle is in condition to be lawfully operated as such over the public thoroughfares in the State, is hereby defined as a “camp car” or “trailer.”

B. Dwelling. Any such vehicle that is incapable of safe operation as aforesaid is hereby declared to be a “dwelling” as defined in the State Housing Act, and in the ordinances of this City, and shall be subject to the provisions thereof relating to dwellings.

C. Campground or Trailer Court. Any place or tract of land upon which is located any camp car or trailer is hereby defined as a “campground” or “trailer court,” said last mentioned phrases being synonymous for all purposes herein.

D. Tent Space. Any place, area or tract of land upon which is located any tent or other temporary structure, used for living or sleeping purposes, is hereby defined as “tent space.”

E. Health Officer. The Chief of Police or any other person designated from time to time by the City Council shall be the Health Officer and his duties shall be those set forth hereafter. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.020 Enforcement of chapter – Right of entry of Health Officer.

It shall be the duty of the Health Officer to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter, and for the purposes of securing enforcement thereof, the Health Officer or any of his duly authorized representatives shall have the right and are hereby empowered to enter upon the premises of any campground, trailer court, or tent space, now operating, or which may be hereafter operated, within the City to inspect the same, and all accommodations therewith. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.030 Removal of wheels, etc.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or operating a camp car or trailer located in a campground to remove or cause to be removed the wheels or any similar transporting device from such camp car or trailer or to otherwise permanently fix it to the ground in a manner that would prevent the ready removal of said camp car or trailer, or to alter it in any way so as to make it incapable of being safely operated over the public thoroughfares of the State at a legal speed limit without first obtaining permit to do so from the Health Officer of the City. Any alterations to any camp car or trailer, as above set forth, shall be construed as removing it from the requirements of this chapter and converting it into a dwelling and it shall be thereupon be subject to the requirements of the building code of the City and State Housing Act. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.040 Not to be located in residential zone.

No auto camp, trailer court, or tent space shall be located or operated within the residential zone set forth in this title of the City, as amended, any ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.050 Approval for location required.

No person shall locate or operate any campground, trailer court, or tent space within the City until the location and operation thereof are approved by the Planning Commission of the City in the manner specified in this chapter. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.060 Application – To be filed.

Any person desiring to locate and operate a campground, trailer court or tent space in the City pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall file an application with the Planning Commission of the City. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.070 Contents.

The application for approval shall include a true legal description of the real property upon which it is proposed to operate such campground, trailer court, or tent space, and shall set forth the type, size and character of the proposed operation. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.080 Filing fee.

The application for approval shall be accompanied by a filing fee of ten dollars ($10.00). [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.090 Hearing – Time and place to be fixed by Planning Commission.

Upon receipt of the application for approval, the Planning Commission shall fix a time and place for the holding of a public hearing thereon. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.100 Publication and posting of notice.

Notice of such hearing shall be given by at least one (1) publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City, and by causing notice thereof to be posted at no more than one hundred and fifty (150) feet in distance apart along both sides of each and every street upon which real property involved in the application abuts; provided, that the posting shall extend along such street or streets a distance of not less than three hundred (300) feet from the exterior limits of the property involved in such application. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.110 Contents of notice.

The notice required by DMC 18.31.100 shall state the time when the petition will be heard by the Planning Commission, which shall be not less than ten (10) days from the date of publication and posting. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.120 Conduct of hearing.

At the time of hearing of the application, the Planning Commission shall hear anyone appearing for the purposes of approving or objecting to the granting of the application, and at the conclusion of the hearing may, by a majority vote of its members, either approve or disapprove the application. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.130 Recommendation to Council – Determination by Council.

Immediately upon the determination by the Planning Commission, the Commission shall communicate its findings and recommendations in regard to the application to the City Council, and the City Council shall consider the matter in the regular course of its business. The City Council shall publicly hear and finally and conclusively determine whether or not such application shall be granted, giving such notice of the hearing upon the application as it seems proper. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.140 Council to state terms and conditions.

The City Council, in approving any application under this chapter, shall set forth any terms and conditions reasonably required to ensure the health and safety of the residents of the City, and shall set forth in its resolution the terms and conditions upon which the permit shall be issued. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.150 Occupancy permit required – Filing application with Health Officer.

Upon completion of any campground, trailer court, or tent space, and prior to the use thereof, such person shall make application with the Health Officer of the City for a permit to occupy or use such campground, trailer court, or tent space. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.160 Form and contents of application – When application shall be filed – Inspection fee.

The application to occupy shall be in writing upon a form approved by the Health Officer, and shall contain such information as may be required by said Officer with respect to the operation of the campground, trailer court or tent space. It shall be filed with the Health Officer not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days before the campground, trailer court or tent space is made ready for use. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.170 Inspection of area – Issuance of permit – Duration – Renewal.

The Health Officer shall thereupon make an inspection of the campground, trailer court, or tent space referred to in the application for an occupancy permit and if it is found to be in conformity with the requirements of this chapter and all other ordinances of the City, and the laws of the State, the Health Officer shall issue to the owner or operator thereof a written permit to occupy and operate, which permit shall at all times be posted at a conspicuous place in said campground, trailer court or tent space. The permit to occupy shall expire the thirty-first day of December next following, and may be thereafter renewed from year to year upon written application for one (1) year accompanied by an inspection fee of five dollars ($5.00) to the Health Officer of the City. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.180 Disposition of monies.

All money received by the Health Officer under provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the City treasury and placed in the general fund. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.190 Revocation or suspension.

Whenever it is found that any campground, trailer court, or tent space is not being conducted in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, or other ordinances of the City, or the laws of the State, the permit to operate such campground, trailer court, or tent space shall be subject to revocation or suspension by the City Council in the following manner:

A. Order to Show Cause – Notice. Upon instruction of the City Council, a notice shall be served by the Health Officer upon the person holding such permit specifying wherein that person has failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and ordering him to appear before the City Council, at a day and hour therein specified, not less than five (5) days after the service of the notice of such permit holder, requiring him to show cause at such time and place why such permit should not be revoked or suspended.

B. Service upon Owner. The notice shall be sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the person or persons owning or operating the campground, trailer court, or tent space, as such persons’ names and addresses appear on the last equalized assessment roll or as known to the Health Officer.

C. Posting. A copy of such notice shall also be posted conspicuously on the campground, trailer court, or tent space alleged to be in violation of this chapter. The Health Officer upon giving notice as aforesaid shall file an affidavit thereof with the City Clerk certifying to the time and the manner in which such notice was given. There shall also be filed therewith any receipt of such notices by registered mail. The failure of any owner or operator to receive notice shall not affect in any manner the validity of any proceedings taken hereunder. At the time and place mentioned in the notice, the person holding the permit shall have the right to appear in person, or by counsel, and to introduce such evidence as he may desire, and the City Council shall confront the permit holder with any charges that the City Council may have against him, and after the hearing, the City Council may, at its discretion, revoke or suspend the permit. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.200 Transfer.

A permit to operate or maintain a campground, trailer court, or tent space shall be transferable upon the written application of the holder to the Health Officer, and with the consent of the Health Officer’s endorsement thereon. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.210 Sanitary requirements – General maintenance.

Every person owning or operating a campground, trailer court or tent space shall maintain such campground, trailer court, or tent space, and all permanent equipment in connection therewith, in a clean and sanitary condition and shall maintain such equipment in a state of good repair. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.220 Area requirements – Location of trailers.

No camp car or trailer or tent used for living or sleeping purposes in any campground or tent space now existing, or that may hereafter be established, shall be located within eight (8) feet of any other camp car or trailer, tent or structure, nor shall any camp car or trailer or tent be located within eight (8) feet of any lot line. Camp cars or trailers and tents, as aforesaid, shall be arranged in rows abutting or facing on a driveway or clear unoccupied space of not less than fifteen (15) feet in width, which space shall have unobstructed access to a public street or alley. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.230 Drainage.

Every campground, trailer court, or tent space hereafter established shall be located on a well drained area and the premises of every such campground, trailer court, or tent space shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and shall be properly graded, so as to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.240 Water supply.

An adequate supply of pure water for drinking and domestic purposes shall be supplied to meet the requirements of the campground, trailer court, or tent space. The water supply shall be obtained from faucets only, conveniently located in the campground, and no dipping vessels or common cups shall be permitted. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.250 Toilet facilities.

There shall be provided in every existing campground, trailer court, or tent space and every campground or tent space which may hereafter be established one (1) water closet for each sex; one (1) of such water closets shall be distinctly marked “FOR MEN,” and one (1) of such closets shall be distinctly marked “FOR WOMEN,” and there shall be provided an additional water closet for each sex for every ten (10) or fractional part thereof in excess of ten (10) males or ten (10) females living in the campground, trailer court, or tent space; provided, however, that the Health Officer may exempt any campground or tent space existing at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter from fully complying with the provisions of this section when, at its discretion, such deviation will not be detrimental to the health of persons occupying said campground, trailer courts or tent spaces, or to the proper sanitation of the premises.

The floors of every water closet compartment hereafter installed shall be constructed of cement or some other nonabsorbent material; the walls shall be a smooth, hard and durable material, and the interiors shall be well painted at all times. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.260 Garbage, etc., receptacles.

There shall be provided in every campground, trailer court, or tent space, heretofore or hereafter established, such number of metal receptacles with close-fitting metal covers for garbage, refuse, ashes and rubbish as may be deemed necessary by the Health Officer, and such receptacles shall at all times be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.270 Slop sinks.

There shall be provided in every campground, trailer court, or tent space, heretofore or hereafter established, one (1) or more slop sinks properly connected with the City sewer system, such sinks to be conveniently located at no greater distance than one hundred (100) feet from any camp car, trailer, or tent. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.280 Sewage, etc., disposal.

It shall be unlawful to permit any wastewater or material from plumbing fixtures in any campground, trailer court, or tent space, or in any camp car or trailer, to be deposited upon the surface of the ground and all such fixtures, when in use, must be connected to the City sewer system. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.290 Lighting.

Every campground, trailer court, or tent space, heretofore or hereafter established, shall be provided with means of lighting the same at night and all public water closets and bath units shall be kept lighted during the time from one-half (0.5) hour after sunset until one-half (0.5) hour before sunrise. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.300 Minimum requirements.

Any water faucets, toilets, garbage receptacles, or other equipment required by the provisions of this chapter in campgrounds, trailer courts, or tent spaces, or which may hereafter be required by any rules and regulations of the Health Officer pertaining to campgrounds, trailer courts, or tent spaces, shall not be construed to mean water faucets, toilets, garbage receptacles or other equipment now or hereafter located in or adjacent to campgrounds, trailer courts, or tent spaces, and which may already or hereafter be required under provisions of other laws or ordinances. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]

18.31.310 Violations of chapter.

It shall be the duty of every person owning, leasing, renting or operating a campground, trailer court, or tent space in the City to comply with all of the provisions of this chapter, and any such person violating any of the provisions thereof or disregarding any other findings of the City Council with respect to such campground, trailer court, or tent space, or contributing in any way to the violation of this chapter, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]