(A) The design and development of a park shall preserve the natural terrain, natural drainage, existing topsoil, trees and natural vegetation to the maximum extent possible.
(B) All parks shall contain at least 2 acres of contiguous area. This 2 acre minimum shall not include any coastal or freshwater wetland areas.
(C) Parks may be comprised of all travel trailers or may feature a mix of travel trailers, camping cabins, alternative camping units and camping tent sites. The preliminary and the final site plan shall identify the proposed use of each space or camping area. If a park is proposed to feature other camping units than travel trailers, a minimum of 50% of all camping spaces shall be designated and used as travel trailer spaces or; the total number of camping cabins and alternative camping units shall be limited to a density of 14 units per acre, with the remaining sites, if utilized, devoted to travel trailer camping sites.
(D) All parks shall have utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
(E) All development, improvements, structures, and utilities shall comply with the applicable Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC) Standards and any other rules promulgated pursuant to the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974.
(F) Where deemed necessary by the Planning Board, a pedestrian walk may be required to provide convenient access to a public area such as a park or school, to a water area, or to areas such as shopping centers, religious or transportation facilities.
(G) Parks shall be considered commercial land uses and the maximum overall lot coverage of impervious surfaces shall be 60% of the total parcel acreage excluding freshwater and coastal wetland areas unless a different lot coverage limitation for travel trailer parks/campgrounds is established by the applicable zoning district regulations for the site.
(H) Camping spaces shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from any property line of the overall park boundaries.
(I) Each camping space shall be properly graded to obtain a reasonably flat site and to provide adequate drainage away from the space.
(J) No camping space shall have direct vehicular access to a public road.
(K) The park shall be developed with proper drainage ditches. All banks shall be sloped and seeded.
(L) When the park has more than 1 direct access to a public road, each access shall not be less than 300 feet apart or closer than 300 feet to a public road intersection unless topographical conditions or unusual site conditions demand otherwise.
(M)
The travel trailer park shall have a buffer strip adjacent to the park boundary extending along the perimeter of the park. This buffer shall consist of vegetation or solid fencing of wood or composite materials. If vegetation is used, the planting strip shall not be a portion of any lot, road, or private drive. The buffer strip shall consist of a planted strip of land at least 5 feet in width composed of indigenous deciduous and/or evergreen trees, spaced not more than 10 feet apart, and not less than one row of indigenous dense shrubs, spaced not more than 5 feet apart and 5 feet or more in height after one growing season, which shall be planted and maintained in a healthy, growing condition by the property owner. If fencing is used, such fencing shall be a minimum of six feet in height. Buffers shall be maintained by the property owner. Buffers shall not be required adjacent to wetland areas or along estuarine or ocean shorelines. The outside surface of any fence facing the street, water or adjacent property shall be the finished surface of fencing.
(N) The park shall provide all utilities required by this section.
(O) Each park shall have a central structure or structures that will provide separate toilet and shower facilities for both sexes. Concession areas with retail sales and laundry facilities may be provided in the park for park guests.
(P) Where electrical service is used, the installation and use of such facilities shall conform with all applicable codes.
(Q) Mobile homes in travel trailer parks/ campgrounds. It shall be unlawful for a person to occupy, park or store a mobile home in a park unless mobile homes are used for employee housing.
(R) Residential structures may be located within the park for use as employee housing for an on-site park manager and other employees. Employee housing units shall be located in a designated area in the park and identified on the preliminary and final site plan. The total number of employee housing units shall not exceed the overall number of employees. Travel trailers and alternative camping units shall not be used for employee housing.
(S) Sales of travel trailers and/or camping vehicles in a park on a commercial basis shall be unlawful.
(T) Sales of camping spaces shall be unlawful within a park.
(U) (1) Travel trailers/recreational vehicles placed on sites within a special flood hazard area shall either:
(a) Be on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(b) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(c) Meet all the requirements for new construction, including anchoring and elevation requirements of the Dare County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
(2) A travel trailer/recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.
(3) Entrance landings as defined in this chapter shall be allowed.
(V) The length of occupancy of any travel trailer, camper cabin, alternative camping unit and/or camping tent shall be less than 90 consecutive days.
(W) Ownership of camping spaces shall be retained by the park owners. Camping cabins and alternative camping units shall not be individually conveyed or sold in fee simple title, as condominiums, fractural ownership or interval ownership. Camping units shall be used as temporary quarters or shelter during periods of recreation, vacation, leisure time or travel and shall not be used for permanent living quarters.
(Ord. passed 3-18-1985; Am. Ord. passed 7-20-1992; Am. Ord. passed 10-19-2020; Am. Ord. passed 2-16-2021
; Am. Ord. passed 10-18-2021
)