Chapter 28
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS1
28-1. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Recreational vehicle means any vehicle used or so constructed so as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets or highways and duly licensed as such and shall include self-propelled vehicles so designed, constructed and reconstructed in such a manner as will permit the occupancy thereof as a temporary dwelling or sleeping place for one or more persons, and having no foundation other than wheels.
Recreational vehicle park means any parcel or tract or land upon which two or more recreational vehicles or other similar portable units are placed, regardless of whether a charge is made thereof. The term also includes any building, structure, enclosure, driveway, equipment or facility used or designed and intended for use incident to temporary living purposes in connection with the recreational pursuits or mode of travel of the general public.
Sanitary station means a facility where recreational units equipped with freshwater storage tanks and sewage holding tanks can be serviced.
Service building means any structure or portion of a structure used to house sanitary facilities, such as waterclosets, lavatories and showers.
Site means the camp space or land area designated for each recreational unit in a park or campground.
(Code 1987, § 3-07.02)
28-2. License.
(a) Requirement established. No person, firm or corporation shall hereafter carry on the business of a recreational vehicle park in the township without first having obtained a license therefor from the township.
(b) Application. Application for license shall be made to the township clerk and shall be made in the name of the person owning or having a part interest in the recreation vehicle park or campground to be licensed. It shall also show the residence address of the officers and resident agent of the corporation.
(1) Location. Each applicant shall set forth the location where the applicant proposes to operate a recreational vehicle park. The location must be zoned industrial or commercial, having a minimum frontage of at least 150 feet on a road classed by the county road commission as a major thoroughfare.
(2) Person in charge. It shall also state the name and residence address of the manager or person in charge of such recreational vehicle park.
(3) Accompanied by plans. Application for the establishment of a recreational vehicle park shall be accompanied by plans which shall show the following:
a. The plot plan based on a topographic survey showing the exact size and location of the proposed structure fully dimensioned.
b. Roadways, driveways and walks.
c. Location of sites.
d. Location and number of proposed sanitary conveniences, including proposed toilets, washrooms, laundries and utility rooms.
e. Method and plan of water supply, sewage disposal, surface drainage and garbage disposal.
f. Plan of electric lighting.
g. Play areas.
(c) Approval of township board. The township clerk shall refer the application for license to the township board.
(d) Expiration. Each license granted under the provisions of this chapter shall be issued for one year and shall expire at midnight on December 31 next following the issuance thereof.
(e) Display. All such licenses shall be displayed in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance of the recreational vehicle park for which it is issued.
(f) Nontransferable. Each license shall cover but one recreational vehicle park and shall not be transferable.
(Code 1987, § 3-07.04; Ord. No. 169, 8-17-1992)
28-3. General park standards.
(a) Compliance.
(1) With state law. Each recreational vehicle park shall comply with sections 12501–12516 of Public Act No. 368 of 1978 (MCL 333.12501 et seq.).
(2) With state construction code. Each recreation vehicle park shall comply with the state construction code.
(b) Buildings or structures. No building or structure, hereafter erected or altered in a recreation vehicle park, shall exceed one story or 20 feet.
(c) Sites.
(1) Frontage width and area. Each site shall abut on a roadway and shall be of such size and so arranged as to provide space for the recreational unit and shall have at least 20 feet of road frontage width and 1,500 square feet in area.
(2) Number of occupants. A site shall be occupied by not more than one family or one camping unit comprised of not more than eight persons.
(d) Road right-of-way. A road right-of-way shall be provided having a minimum width of 20 feet. This right-of-way shall be relatively free of obstructions, and any obstruction shall not prevent free and easy access to abutting sites. The traveled portion of the roadway shall be maintained in a passable and dust free condition at all times the park is in operation.
(e) Parking.
(1) Prohibited on roadway. No vehicle shall park in the strip of land set aside for a roadway.
(2) Minimum requirements. Space for vehicle parking equal to a minimum of 1½ the number of sites in a park shall be provided either on the sites or in a separate parking area.
(f) Street and yard lights. Street and yard lights, sufficient in number and intensity to permit the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night, shall be provided.
(g) Water and sewer service.
(1) Connection to municipal facilities. Connection shall be made to a municipal water and/or sewer system when available and accessible.
(2) Sanitary station provided. A sanitary station of approved design shall be provided except for those parks catering solely to recreational vehicles that connect to the park’s water and sewer systems.
(h) Service building. A service building is required.
(1) Toilet and wash facilities. The toilet, urinal and lavatory facilities included in such building shall be according to the following schedule:
|
Sites |
Toilets |
Urinals |
Lavatories |
Showers |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Men |
Women |
Men |
Men |
Women |
|
|
1–15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
16–30 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
31–45 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
46–60 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
61–80 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
81–100 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
(2) Facilities for larger parks. For recreational vehicle parks having more than 100 sites there shall be provided one additional toilet and lavatory for each sex for each additional 100 sites, and one additional men’s urinal for each additional 100 sites.
(3) Parks with water and sewer service. In a recreational vehicle park where all or a portion of the sites are provided with water service and sewer outlet, and occupancy for such sites is limited to recreational units connected to the water and sewer systems, a minimum of one water-flush toilet and one lavatory must be provided for each sex to serve such sites.
(i) Recreation area. There shall be provided an area of not less than 100 square feet for recreation for each site with a minimum of not less than 10,000 square feet, which shall be no longer than two times its width.
(j) Landscaping and maintenance. The front yard and the side yard adjacent to a street or highway shall be landscaped and the total recreational vehicle park shall be maintained in good condition at all times.
(k) Certain businesses excluded. No business, except groceries, food, associated items and ordinary household articles, shall be conducted on the premises of a recreational vehicle park.
(l) Permanent occupancy not permitted. Permanent dwellings or permanent occupancy of a vehicle shall not be permitted in a recreational vehicle park. A period in excess of 90 days is hereby considered to be permanent.
(Code 1987, § 3-07.05)
State Law reference—Mobile home commission act, MCL 125.2301 et seq.; campground licensing and registration, MCL 333.1201 et seq.