Campgrounds
The purpose of the campground program is to ensure a clean, safe, and sanitary environment within the various campgrounds in Warren County. Campgrounds in Ohio are regulated under the authority of Chapter 3729 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Chapter 3701-26 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).
The Ohio Department of Health reviews and approves engineered plans for campground construction or substantial alteration.
All campgrounds are inspected at least once during their operating season.
Types of Regulated Camps
RV Recreational Vehicle Park
Any tract of land used for parking five or more self-contained recreational vehicles and includes any roadway, building, structure, vehicle or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the park facilities and any tract of land that is subdivided for lease or other contract of the individual sites for the express or implied purpose of placing self-contained recreational vehicles for recreation, vacation or business. “Recreational vehicle park” does not include any tract of land used solely for the storage or display for sale of self-contained recreational vehicles or solely as a temporary park-camp.
Recreation Camps
Any tract of land upon which five or more portable camping units are placed and includes any roadway, building, structure, vehicle or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the facilities of such camp. A tract of land that is subdivided for lease or other contract of the individual sites is a recreation camp if five or more portable camping units are placed on it for recreation, vacation or business purposes. “Recreation camp” does not include any tract of land used solely for the storage or display for sale of dependent recreational vehicles or used solely as a temporary park-camp.
Combined Park/Camps
Any tract of land upon which a combination of five or more self-contained recreational vehicles or portable camping units are placed and includes any roadway, building, structure, vehicle or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the park facilities. A tract of land that is subdivided for lease or other contract of the individual sites is a combined park-camp if a combination of five or more recreational vehicles or portable camping units are placed on it for recreation, vacation or business purposes. “Combined park-camp” does not include any tract of land used solely for the storage or display for sale of self-contained recreational vehicles or portable camping units or solely as a temporary park-camp.
Temporary Camps
Any tract of land used for a period not to exceed a total of twenty-one days per calendar year for the purpose of parking five or more recreational vehicles, dependent recreational vehicles or portable camping units or any combination thereof, for one or more periods of time that do not exceed seven consecutive days or parts thereof.
Resident & Day Camps
A facility which is being primarily utilized for the purpose of camping, that requires overnight residence, indoor or outdoor activities, and exists on any tract of land together with any buildings or other structures pertinent to its use. A resident camp does not include universities, colleges, or other educational facilities.
Campground Program Requirements
Ensuring compliance with Ohio safety and sanitation standards:
- Inspections
- All campgrounds are inspected at least once during their operating season by WCHD Sanitarians.
- Inspections focus on site layout, water supply, and sewage disposal.
- License Renewals
- Annual licenses must be renewed through the Accela Citizen Access Portal.
- Temporary camp applications must be submitted prior to the event start date.
- Construction & Alteration
- Plans for new campgrounds or substantial alterations must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for review.
- Substantial alterations include changing the number of sites or modifying water/sewage systems.
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