Chapter 17.28
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
Sections:
17.28.040 Procedure and review criteria.
17.28.050 Recreational vehicle park design standards – Health, safety and sanitation.
17.28.060 Recreational vehicle park design standards – Site area.
17.28.010 Intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to:
(1) Provide standards for the development of recreational vehicle parks.
(2) Ensure a high quality of development for recreational vehicle parks to the end that the community as a whole is protected from potentially adverse impact of such developments.
(3) Provide review of proposed recreational vehicle parks by the site plan review committee. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:
“Recreational vehicle” means a portable structure, such as a motor home, travel trailer, equivalent facilities in or on an automotive vehicle, or other short-term recreational shelter designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation uses.
“Recreational vehicle combination” means a motorized vehicle towing a recreational vehicle which is not self-propelled, provided the vehicles are used as a unit for recreational purposes.
“Recreational vehicle park” means a parcel or tract of land having designated areas for rent to one or more persons for temporary parking or placement of a recreational vehicle.
“Recreational vehicle site” means a plot of ground within a recreational vehicle park intended for location of a recreational vehicle as a dwelling unit. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.030 Permitted where.
Recreational vehicle parks are permitted as follows:
(1) As a permitted use in the MUTC-1, MUTC-2, MUTC-1/M, MUTC‑2/M zones. All recreational vehicle parks shall conform to the city of Westport comprehensive plan and the city of Westport shorelines master program (if applicable); provided, that in the event of a discrepancy between the standards established herein and those contained in any other applicable plan or ordinance, the stricter standard shall apply. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.040 Procedure and review criteria.
The administrative procedure for review of recreational vehicle parks and review criteria shall be the same as Chapter 17.36B WMC. Binding site plan review approval is required for the following activities:
(1) The construction of any new recreational vehicle park after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(2) An expansion of an existing park in the amount greater than half an acre after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are subject to the following provisions:
(A) The half-acre threshold shall be cumulative, including calculations of all previously exempt expansions.
(B) Only expanded areas within existing parks are required to conform to this chapter. Existing portions of the recreational vehicle park are not required to conform to this chapter. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.050 Recreational vehicle park design standards – Health, safety and sanitation.
(1) All recreational vehicle parks shall conform to the Washington State Department of Health Rules and Regulations for sanitation in recreational vehicle parks and the standards of the Grays Harbor County health department.
(2) The water supply of all recreational vehicle parks shall comply with Chapter 13.04 WMC.
(3) Installation of sewage disposal systems and service buildings within recreational vehicle parks shall be in compliance with the regulations and standards of Chapter 13.08 WMC, the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Grays Harbor County health department.
(4) Fire Protection.
(A) Water supplies provided for recreational parks shall incorporate adequate capability for fire protection in accordance with sound planning and engineering practices and shall be approved by the Westport fire department.
(B) The type and location of all fire pits or bases shall be approved by the Westport fire department.
(5) Adequate provisions for the storage, collection, and disposal of solid waste shall be provided within the recreational vehicle park. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.060 Recreational vehicle park design standards – Site area.
(1) The minimum total site area of any new park shall be one acre of contiguous area.
(2) Camping vehicle sites shall be occupied by no more than one recreational vehicle or recreational vehicle combination and appurtenances (boat, awning, etc.) at any time.
(3) Density. The number of recreational vehicles permitted in a park shall not exceed a density of 20 units per acre.
(4) Recreational Vehicle Site. Each individual recreational vehicle site shall not be less than 500 square feet in size.
(5) Parking.
(A) A minimum of one parking space shall be provided on each site.
(B) A minimum of one parking space for each three sites shall be provided for visitor parking in the park. This requirement may be altered at the discretion of the site plan review committee if it has been shown that unique site requirements, unique use requirements, or other factors indicating that altering the parking requirements is necessary to properly serve a site.
(6) Buffering.
(A) Screening and buffering areas shall be established with a minimum width of 15 feet along all boundaries of the land within the proposed recreational vehicle park.
(B) Such areas shall not contain any constructed facilities, erected or placed, with the exception of utility lines, fencing, or security posts.
(C) Such areas shall be left in their natural state or supplemented by plants and trees as approved by the site plan review committee.
(D) The buffering requirement may be altered at the discretion of the site plan review committee if it has been shown that unique site requirements, unique use requirements, or other factors indicating that altering the buffering requirement is necessary to properly serve a site.
(7) Access and Circulation. Access and circulation shall be designed with appropriate consideration for existing and projected roads, anticipated traffic patterns, topographic and drainage conditions, public convenience and safety, and the proposed use of the land served, including:
(A) Recreational vehicle parks shall have an access road connecting to an existing public road. Such access roads shall be designed in accordance with the applicable city of Westport standards.
(B) Adequate access shall be provided to all recreational vehicle sites and service buildings.
(C) All roads in a recreational vehicle park shall be private roads by appropriate parties, owned and maintained by the owner of the park.
(D) Security fences or other means may be employed to ensure the use of private roads by appropriate parties.
(E) Any bridge within a recreational vehicle park shall be designed and constructed under the supervision of a professional engineer who shall stamp the plans and certify that the bridge is adequately designed for the estimated maximum loads which shall include fire and emergency vehicles. The proposed bridge plans shall be reviewed and, if adequate, approved by the public works department.
(F) Paths or trails to common facilities shall not interfere with or cross a camping vehicle site, and shall be designed for safe pedestrian use at those points where the trails or paths intersect roads.
(8) Land areas within recreational parks may be restricted from uses other than open space purposes for reasons of sanitation, steep slopes, slide hazards, poor drainage, flood hazards, or other unique conditions or features which may warrant protection of the public interest.
(9) No recreational vehicle park shall be located or designed in a manner that would endanger any public or private water supply or the health of the public or the health of the park occupants. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.070 Accessory uses.
Management headquarters, recreational facilities, restrooms, sanitary sewer dumping stations, showers, coin-operated laundry facilities, and other uses and structures customarily incidental to operation of a recreational vehicle park are permitted as accessory uses to the park. In addition, grocery and convenience stores shall be permitted as accessory uses at the discretion of the site plan review committee. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)
17.28.080 Violations.
The violation provisions of Chapter 17.36B WMC shall govern any violation to this chapter. (Ord. 1272(b), 2002)