Camping Definitions & FAQs

Camping Definitions

1. Check Table 5.1 Uses by Zoning District (PDF) to see if camping is an allowed use in the zoning district of your parcel. Blank means it is prohibited.
2. If camping is an allowed use in the zoning district and the parcel is 5 acres or more, camping is allowed temporarily:
   Camping on Private Property: Temporary, non-commercial lodging on any private property parcel of 5 acres or more in area and that meets the Use-Specific Standards contained in Section 5.2.25. Temporary shall mean that occupancy of any tent, recreational vehicle, or any other form of temporary dwelling shall not exceed fifteen (15) consecutive days, nor thirty (30) days in a six month period.
3. All camping is subject to the regulations in the Lake County Land Development Code Section 5.2.25:
   
   5.2.25 Camping and Accessory Use Camping on Private Property.
   The following standards shall apply to camping and accessory use camping except as specifically stated below.
   1. No more than one camping unit per parcel is allowed for accessory use camping.
   2. No tent, trailer, residential vehicle, or other camping unit may be permanently affixed to the ground.
   3. Camping activities shall comply with all structure setbacks for the zone district.
   4. Sewage shall be disposed of either at an off-site facility or by means of an on-site system. In either case, the facility or system must be currently permitted or approved by the Lake County Environmental Health Department.
   5. Trash shall be managed on-site, and removed from the site regularly during camping and upon completion of camping. Bear resistant containers are highly recommended. Lake County Land Development Code Chapter 5: Use Regulations Page 5-31
   6. Camping units shall have current licensing and registration and be in operable road worthy condition, as applicable.
   7. The lot or parcel on which camping occurs shall be maintained in a safe, clean and sanitary manner, and shall not be a nuisance or create adverse impacts to surrounding property, land or land uses.
   8. Storage of refuse, debris or litter in an exposed or unsanitary condition, is prohibited.
   9. It is prohibited to place any substance that pollutes or may pollute any water body within 150 feet of a stream, lake or other water body.
   10. Open burning, recreational fire, and portable outdoor fireplaces will be subject to the relevant International Fire Code, Section 307, as may be amended from time to time.
   11. The address must be visible from the road.
4. If the parcel is not 5 or more acres, camping is considered an accessory use and is not allowed until primary use is established. You may apply for a Temporary Use Permit after a building permit application is submitted in order to occupy/camp in a camping unit while development is in progress. Once primary use is established (e.g. you build a single-family home), accessory use camping is allowed (again, depending on the zoning district) temporarily subject to camping regulations in Section 5.2.25 of the Lake County Land Development Code above.
   
   Accessory Use Camping on Private Property: Temporary, non-commercial lodging on any private property parcel that has been subdivided and is of less than 5 acres in area and that meets the Use-Specific Standards contained in Section 5.2.25. Temporary shall mean occupancy of any tent, recreational vehicle, or any other form of temporary dwelling shall not exceed to fifteen (15) consecutive days, nor thirty (30) days in a six month period.
   
   5.3.1 General.
   
   C. No accessory use shall be established, and no accessory structures shall be allowed on a subject parcel, until all required permits and approvals for the principal use or activity have been obtained.