Chapter 20.62
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
Sections:
20.62.020 Recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds—Conditional use.
20.62.030 Recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds—General provisions.
20.62.035 Extended stays in recreational vehicle parks.
20.62.040 Individual recreational vehicle/tent space requirements.
20.62.050 Utilities—Recreational vehicle parks.
20.62.060 Utilities—Recreational vehicle campgrounds.
20.62.070 Compliance with state health board rules.
20.62.010 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds in the city and shall be in addition to any standards of the zone district in which such facility is to be located. Where the standards of the underlying zone district are in conflict with these standards, the more restrictive shall apply. (Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.020 Recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds—Conditional use.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds may only be authorized as a conditional use in the manner set forth in Chapter 20.66 and only in those districts where the use is so designated. (Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.030 Recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds—General provisions.
All recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds, unless otherwise noted, shall comply with the following standards and regulations:
(1) Minimum Area. The minimum area of recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds shall be fifty thousand square feet.
(2) Maximum Density. The maximum gross density allowed shall be one recreational vehicle space per one thousand square feet of land area for recreational vehicle parks and one recreational vehicle space per one thousand square feet of land area for recreational vehicle campgrounds.
(3) Yards and Setbacks. All recreational vehicles or accessory buildings shall be located no closer than thirty-five feet from the front property line, nor closer than twenty feet from the side or rear property line. Recreational vehicles shall be set back five feet from interior roads.
(4) Streets. Interior private streets shall observe the following minimums:
(A) Twelve feet of width per each travel lane and eight feet of width per each parking lane.
(B) Improvement with bituminous surface treatment (BST) in accordance with the specifications of the city engineer. In addition, all streets shall be well-drained, well lighted, and continuously maintained in operable condition.
(5) Walkways. Where determined to be necessary by the city council, pedestrian walkways meeting ADA standards shall be provided from the recreational vehicle spaces to all service buildings and facilities, refuse collection area, and recreation areas. The walkways shall be hard-surfaced, well-drained and well lighted.
(6) Recreation Facilities. No less than eight percent of the total site area shall be provided as defined recreational space. The recreational space shall be easily accessible and shall be improved and maintained in such a manner so as to provide adequate recreational facilities for the residents of the recreational vehicle park or recreational vehicle campground; provided, that the city council may waive the recreational space requirement for recreational vehicle campgrounds if it is determined that recreational facilities located adjacent or in close proximity to the site of the proposed recreational vehicle campground provide sufficient recreational opportunities for the campground patrons.
(7) Landscaping and Buffering. A landscaped buffer area shall be maintained around the outer boundaries of recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds. The buffer area shall be not less than twenty feet in width and shall be located along all park boundaries.
Existing vegetation may be incorporated into the landscape scheme if appropriate. The amount and types of plant material shall be approved by the city council. In addition to the landscaped buffer, the city council may require that a fence or wall be constructed along any or all sides of the facility to mitigate the impact of the development on surrounding properties and uses. A landscape plan for the interior grounds of the facility shall be submitted and approved by the city council.
(8) Signs. One sign per main entrance not more than fourteen feet in height is permitted. The sign may be indirectly lit and shall be erected on the premises near the main entrance(s). The message shall be limited to the name of the facility and whether there are spaces available.
(9) Limits of Stay. Limits on the length of stay in facilities subject to the provisions of this title are as follows:
(A) Except where allowed pursuant to subsection (9)(C) of this section, no recreational vehicle shall remain in a recreational vehicle park for more than a total of one hundred twenty days in any one-year period.
(B) No recreational vehicle or tent shall remain in a recreational vehicle campground for more than a total of twenty-one days in any one-year period.
(C) At any given time, no more than two-thirds of the total number of recreational vehicle spaces in a recreational vehicle park may be utilized for extended stays where a recreational vehicle may remain in place beyond the time limit established under subsection (9)(A) of this section. Authorization to allow extended stay spaces shall require approval of a conditional use permit pursuant to Section 20.48.030 and compliance with Section 20.62.035.
(10) Campfires. Campfires shall be allowed only in recreational vehicle campgrounds; provided, that the campfire sites and/or structures for the containment of the campfire shall be approved in advance by the city fire marshal.
(11) Licensing. All recreational vehicles staying within a recreational vehicle park and recreational vehicle campground shall be maintained in fully operable driving condition, shall have a current vehicle registration and shall be validly licensed for operation upon the highways of this state.
(12) Registry Log. The owner of each recreational vehicle park and each recreational vehicle campground shall maintain a daily registry log specifically identifying each recreational vehicle and tent in the park or campground and documenting the dates each recreational vehicle or tent remains therein. In addition to any other purpose, this registry log is intended to assist the city in monitoring the length of stay of each recreational vehicle or tent located in a recreational vehicle park or recreational vehicle campground. A true and accurate copy of the registry log shall be submitted to the city on or before the tenth day of each month for the preceding month.
(13) Subletting Prohibited. The owner of each recreational vehicle park and each recreational vehicle campground shall contract directly with the occupants and/or tenants staying in the park or campground. Occupants and/or tenants shall not assign or sublet any right or interest they have for the use of any portion of a recreational vehicle park or recreational vehicle campground and shall not assign or sublet any portion of any space they are renting, leasing or that they otherwise have the use of. (Ord. 1704 § 3, 2017: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.035 Extended stays in recreational vehicle parks.
Where authorized through approval of a conditional use permit, recreational vehicle parks including extended stay spaces as allowed under Section 20.62.030(9)(C) shall only be authorized where the owner or manager of the recreational vehicle park complies with the following standards and requirements:
(1) Maximum Number of Extended Stay Spaces. At any given time, no more than two-thirds of the total number of spaces in a recreational vehicle park may be utilized for extended stays.
(2) Extended Stay Log. In addition to the information to be included in the registry log as required by Section 20.62.030(12), the registry log shall identify the total number of days each recreational vehicle has remained in place in each space within the preceding one-year period, the specific spaces that are being utilized for extended stays, and the total number of spaces being used for extended stays. Said log shall be accompanied by a map showing the locations of all spaces being utilized for extended stays.
(3) Reporting. On a monthly basis and within the first ten days of each month, the owner or manager of the recreational vehicle park shall provide a true and accurate copy of the registry log, including the additional information required by this section, to the city.
(4) Compliance. If at any time the city determines that the number of spaces in the recreational vehicle park being utilized for extended stays exceeds the number allowed by this chapter, the city shall provide written notification of noncompliance to the park owner or manager or both. The owner or manager of the park shall bring the park into compliance with the extended stay requirements set forth in this chapter within thirty days of receipt of the notification of noncompliance from the city.
(5) Enforcement. If the owner or manager of the recreational vehicle park does not bring the park into compliance with the extended stay requirements set forth in this chapter within the time frame set forth herein, the city may take enforcement action, which may include, but is not limited to, revocation of the park’s conditional use permit, enactment of civil penalties, or other action allowed by law. (Ord. 1704 § 4, 2017)
20.62.040 Individual recreational vehicle/tent space requirements.
Individual recreational vehicle/tent spaces in recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds shall comply with the following standards and restrictions:
(1) Minimum Width. Each recreational vehicle space in a recreational vehicle park shall have a minimum width of twenty feet. Each recreational vehicle space in a recreational campground shall have a minimum width of twenty feet.
(2) Minimum Clearances. There shall be a minimum side-to-side clearance of eight feet between units and a minimum end-to-end clearance of ten feet between units.
(3) Off-street Parking. A minimum of one off-street parking space shall be required for each recreational vehicle space. It shall be located within the recreational vehicle space. In addition, one off-street parking space per each three recreational vehicle spaces shall be required for guest parking. The guest parking spaces shall be grouped and distributed evenly throughout the park.
(4) Space Identification. All recreational vehicle spaces shall be well-marked and numbered. (Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.050 Utilities—Recreational vehicle parks.
The following requirements for utilities shall apply:
(1) Water Supply. A water supply system shall be provided in the recreational vehicle park for each recreational vehicle space designed to accommodate the park user occupying a self-contained recreational vehicle or a dependent recreational vehicle and shall be connected to a public water supply system. The water system for a recreational vehicle park shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with all applicable state and local codes and regulations.
(2) Watering Stations. Each recreational vehicle park shall be provided with two easily accessible water supply outlets for filling recreational vehicle water storage tanks.
(3) Sewage Disposal System. An adequate and safe sewage disposal system shall be provided in a recreational vehicle park for each recreational vehicle space designed to accommodate the park user occupying a self-contained recreational vehicle or a dependent recreational vehicle and shall be connected to public sewerage system. The sewage disposal system in a recreational vehicle park shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with all applicable state and local codes and regulations.
(4) Sanitary Stations. Each recreational vehicle park shall be provided with sanitary dumping stations in the ratio of one for every one hundred recreational vehicle spaces or fractional part thereof. Sanitary stations shall consist of at least a trapped four-inch sewer riser pipe connected to the sewage disposal system and surrounded at the inlet end by a concrete apron sloped to the drain and provided with a suitable hinged cover; and a water outlet with the necessary appurtenance connected to the water supply system to permit periodic washdown of the immediate adjacent areas. A sign shall be posted near the water outlet indicating that this water is for flushing and cleaning purposes only. Sanitary stations shall be screened from other activities by a visual barrier such as fences, walls, or natural growth and shall be separated from any recreational vehicle space by a distance of not less than fifty feet.
(5) Electrical Supply System. Each recreational vehicle park shall be provided with an underground electrical system which shall be installed and maintained in accordance with all applicable state and local codes and regulations.
(6) Other Utility Systems. If other utility systems such as natural gas, television cable, or telephone are installed in a recreational vehicle park, such installation shall be in accordance with state and local codes and regulations.
(7) Solid Waste Disposal. The storage, collection and disposal of solid waste in recreational vehicle parks shall be so conducted as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, or accident of fire hazards.
Individual or grouped refuse containers must be screened from view except on collection day. (Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.060 Utilities—Recreational vehicle campgrounds.
The following requirements for utilities shall apply in recreational vehicle campgrounds:
(1) Water Supply System. An accessible, adequate, safe and potable water supply system shall be provided in the recreational vehicle campground and it shall be designed so as to accommodate convenient use by campground users.
Connections shall be made to a public water supply system. If individual water service connections are not provided to each recreational vehicle space, then water shall be available within two hundred feet of every recreational vehicle space.
(2) Watering Stations. Each recreational vehicle campground shall be provided with two or more easily accessible water supply outlets for filling recreational vehicle water storage tanks.
(3) Sewage Disposal System. An adequate and safe sewage disposal system shall be provided in the recreational vehicle campground and it shall be designed to accommodate convenient use by the campground users. Where possible, the sewage disposal system shall be connected to a public sewerage system. If connection to a public sewerage system is not feasible, then a sewage disposal system for the recreational campground shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with all applicable state and local codes and regulations.
(4) Wastewater Disposal Facilities. A wastewater disposal facility shall be provided within one hundred feet of all recreational vehicle spaces which do not have individual sewer connections.
(5) Sanitary Stations. Each recreational vehicle campground shall be provided with sanitary dumping stations in the ratio of one for every one hundred recreational vehicle spaces or fractional part thereof. Sanitary stations shall consist of at least a trapped four-inch riser pipe connected to the sewage disposal system and surrounded at the inlet and by a concrete apron sloped to the drain and provided with a suitable hinged cover; and a water outlet with the necessary appurtenance connected to the water supply system to permit periodic washdown of the immediate adjacent areas. A sign shall be posted near the water outlet indicating that this water is for flushing and cleaning purposes only. Sanitary stations shall be screened from other activities by a visual barrier such as fences, walls or natural growth and shall be separated from any recreational vehicle space by a distance of not less than fifty feet.
(6) Electrical Supply System. Each recreational vehicle campground shall be provided with an electrical supply system adequate to supply electricity to provide lighting to all streets, walkways, and service buildings within the campground. If electrical service is provided to individual recreational vehicle spaces, the electrical supply system shall be installed and maintained in accordance with all applicable state and local codes and regulations.
(7) Other Utility Systems. If other utility systems such as natural gas, television cable, or telephone are installed in a recreational vehicle campground, such installation shall be in accordance with state and local codes and regulations.
(8) Solid Waste Disposal. The storage, collection and disposal of solid waste in recreational vehicle campgrounds shall be so conducted as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, or accident of fire hazards. Individual or grouped refuse containers must be screened from view except on collection day. (Ord. 1704 § 5, 2017: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.070 Compliance with state health board rules.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, all recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle camp grounds shall comply with rules and regulations of the Washington State Board of Health. Where the provisions of this title conflict with Health Board rules and regulations, the more restrictive provision shall apply. (Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.62.080 Expansion or alteration of recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds.
The expansion or alteration of existing recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds may be authorized as a conditional use whether or not the park or campground is a conforming use at its present location. Application shall be made and processed in the manner set forth for conditional uses in Chapter 20.66. The city council in granting approval of the conditional use for the expansion and/or alteration may require that any or all of those portions of the existing park or campground which do not meet the minimum standards of this chapter, or other applicable standards of this title, be made to comply with those standards. (Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)