Chapter 12.20
CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY ON COUNTY-OWNED LAND
Sections:
12.20.030 Storage of personal property in public places.
12.20.050 Penalty for violations.
12.20.060 County-owned recreational vehicle park exempt.
Prior legislation note: Resos. dated 4/17/72 and 5/15/72.
12.20.010 Definitions.
The following definitions are applicable in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
“Camp” means to pitch, use, or occupy camp facilities for the purposes of habitation, as evidenced by the use of camp paraphernalia.
“Camp facilities” include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, temporary shelters, yurts, or vehicles if said vehicle is being used as a temporary living quarters.
“Camp paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, blankets, mattresses, hammocks or cooking facilities or equipment.
“Conviction” includes a finding of guilt by a court of jurisdiction as a result of a guilty plea or finding of guilt by jury or bench trial and includes bail forfeiture.
“Director” means the Columbia County public works director/county engineer.
“Outdoor burning” means the combustion of material of any type in an open fire or in an outdoor container without providing for the control of combustion or the control of emissions from the combustion.
“Park” means and includes all county parks, Touchet Valley golf course, Columbia County fairgrounds, and play and recreation grounds owned or leased by the county.
“Recreational vehicle” means a travel trailer, motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer that is primarily designed and used as a temporary living quarters, is either self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, is transient, is not occupied as a primary residence, and is not immobilized or permanently affixed to a mobile home lot.
“Road” means any highway, lane, street, right-of-way, boulevard, alley, and every way or place in Columbia County open as a matter of right to public vehicular travel.
“Store” means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in a location. [Ord. 2010-02 § 1.]
12.20.020 Unlawful camping.
It shall be unlawful for any person to camp in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by ordinance or as permitted pursuant to CCC 12.20.060:
A. Any park.
B. Any road.
C. Any county-owned or leased parking lot or county-owned or leased area, improved or unimproved. [Ord. 2010-02 § 2.]
12.20.030 Storage of personal property in public places.
It shall be unlawful for any person to store personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by ordinance or as permitted pursuant to CCC 12.20.060:
A. Any park.
B. Any road.
C. Any county-owned or leased parking lot or county-owned or leased area, improved or unimproved. [Ord. 2010-02 § 3.]
12.20.040 Outdoor burning.
Outdoor burning is prohibited on any county-owned or leased area, improved or unimproved. [Ord. 2010-02 § 4.]
12.20.050 Penalty for violations.
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punished as follows:
A. First conviction: civil infraction, punishable with a $150.00 fine.
B. Second conviction: misdemeanor, punishable with up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
C. Third or subsequent conviction: gross misdemeanor, punishable with up to 365 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. [Ord. 2010-02 § 5.]
12.20.060 County-owned recreational vehicle park exempt.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to recreational vehicles authorized to utilize any county-owned or operated recreational vehicle park. [Ord. 2010-02 § 6.]
12.20.070 Permit.
A. The director is authorized to permit persons to camp, occupy camp facilities, use camp paraphernalia, or store personal property in parks, roads, or any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved, in Columbia County except the park at the intersection of Eckler Mountain and Maloney Mountain Roads.
B. The director shall approve a permit as provided under this section when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained, the director in his/her sole discretion finds that:
1. Adequate sanitary facilities are provided and accessible at or near the camp site;
2. Adequate trash receptacles and trash collection are provided;
3. The camping activity will not unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of private property owners; and
4. The camping activity is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property, to provoke disorderly conduct, or to create a disturbance.
C. The director is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the implementation of this chapter.
D. The county sheriff is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the enforcement of this chapter.
E. No permit shall be issued for a period of time in excess of seven calendar days.
F. Any person denied a permit may appeal the denial to the board of county commissioners. Notice of appeal must be in writing and filed with the clerk of the board within seven calendar days from the date notice of the denial is received by the applicant. [Ord. 2010-02 § 7.]