(A) Purpose and intent. This section shall set forth the minimum requirements for the application, development, operation and maintenance of permanent RV parks and campgrounds in the Town of Wilkesboro Planning and Zoning Jurisdiction. The provisions of this section shall not affect policies or agreements in respect to town or county property. Campgrounds that are non-profit and/or privately used are subject to the special use process described in this section. However, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Zoning Administrator will use discretion in these cases to determine which standards and conditions are applicable.
(B) Review and approval procedures. Application for site plan approval for the development of RV parks and campgrounds, if applicable, shall be made with the Zoning Administrator. The information listed and required under division (C) of this section shall be included with any application. The applicant is bound by the design and specifications shown on the final approved drawings.
(C) Required site plan information.
(1) Twelve copies of drawings to a readable scale, showing the following:
(a) The area and dimensions of the subject tract or parcel;
(b) Topography;
(c) Number, location, design and layout of all campsites;
(d) Layout of interior roads and parking areas;
(e) Location and size of all structures to be included in the campground;
(f) Type and placement of screening;
(g) Buffer zones;
(h) Landscaping;
(i) Placement of refuse containers and waste disposal sites; and
(j) Plan for park lighting.
(2) Three copies of the detailed specifications for the following:
(a) Water supply and system;
(b) Sewage disposal system;
(c) Drainage plan;
(d) Construction plans for interior roads, parking areas and buildings; and
(e) Existing vegetation and vegetation proposed to be retained.
(3) Area map showing the subject property in relation to adjacent parcels of land;
(4) Plat or title certificate obtained or updated within two weeks prior to making application;
(5) Lease agreement, if land is to be leased for RV park development;
(6) List of the property owners of record, within 300 feet of the exterior boundaries of the subject property;
(7) Traffic study by a certified engineer (may be required at the option of the town);
(8) Areas within floodway, floodplain or shorelines must obtain appropriate permits;
(9) Other information as determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator.
(D) Application process. RV park and campground development applications shall be processed in the same manner as special use permits. In addition to those requirements specified for the processing of special use permits, the following criteria shall be applied to the review of RV parks and campgrounds:
(1) General operation and maintenance requirements.
(a) The proposed development will not result in the obstruction of or interference with existing traffic patterns in the area;
(b) The proposed development will not generate congested or undue RV traffic through residential, urban residential, or town center zones;
(c) The proposed development shall cause minimum disturbance to the natural environment;
(d) Development must retain site in as natural a state as is feasible;
(e) An attendant must be on duty or on-call at all times during operation, unless described and agreed to during special use permit hearing with Zoning Board of Adjustment. Signage indicating contact information for attendant must be displayed;
(f) Registration records must be kept on the occupancy of all RV parks. As a minimum, the registration form must have space for name, date, and permanent mailing address;
(g) Upon request, park records shall be made available to the town and/or county government;
(h) An inspection and occupancy permit shall be required prior to the opening of any RV park and/or campground;
(i) No camper, including gear and vehicles, shall stay a length of time which exceeds 90 days sequentially. Additionally, No camper, including gear and vehicles, shall stay a length of time which exceeds 180 days per calendar year;
(j) Park areas shall be kept free of litter and debris at all times;
(k) Service buildings shall be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times;
(l) Animals traveling with campers shall be kept on a leash or tethered within their campsite at all times;
(m) The developer, to whom approval was initially granted, or approved subsequent developer, or owner, shall be accountable to the town for adherence to these regulations;
(n) Operator shall provide for continued maintenance of landscaping and buildings.
(2) Park size and density restrictions.
(a) Minimum parcel size: A minimum parcel of two acres shall be required for the development of RV parks and campgrounds.
(b) Campsite design standards:
1. In the location and spacing of campsites, there shall be a minimum of 12 feet between RVs and/or structures.
2. All campsites shall be well drained; stormwater shall be conveyed to approved detention facilities and/or areas.
3. Restroom facilities shall be located within 400 feet of any campsite. Handicapped access to restroom facilities is required.
(3) Traffic circulation and street design.
(a) Interior roads shall have a minimum width of 20 feet. One-way roads may be allowed with a minimum width of 12 feet.
(b) Interior roads connecting to public street rights-of-way shall be paved in accordance with town standards within 50 feet of such rights-of-way.
(c) For traffic safety, acceleration and deceleration lanes may be required at points of ingress and egress.
(4) Parking.
(a) A minimum of one auto parking space shall be provided inside the area of each campsite.
(b) One additional auto parking space shall be provided for each five campsites, to be located elsewhere in the park.
(c) Additional parking spaces shall not be provided on interior roads.
(5) Accessory uses.
(a) Accessory uses are allowed whose primary usage and enjoyment are for park tenants.
(b) Accessory uses shall be placed no closer than 150 feet from any exterior park boundary.
(c) A service building and park office shall be provided in all RV parks and campgrounds.
(6) Restroom requirements.
TABLE 156.524 – RESTROOM REQUIREMENTS | |||||||
Number of Campsites | Toilets | Urinals | Lavatories | Showers | |||
M | F | M | M | F | M | F | |
1-40 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
41-80 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
81-120 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
121-160 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
161-200 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
(7) Open space. For campgrounds over five acres, open space of 12% is required. Campgrounds under five acres require 20% open space. Buffers are not to be included as open space.
(8) Buffers, screening, and setbacks.
(a) Buffers, screening and setbacks.
1. Parks shall require a 50-foot buffer along any property boundary that is adjacent to any public street right- of-way and a 30-foot buffer along all other property boundaries.
(b) Screening and setbacks.
1. View screening shall be required along any property boundary adjacent to a public street right-of-way. Such screening shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from such rights-of-way.
2. View screening shall be set back 20 feet from any street right-of-way.
(9) Water supply and sewage disposal. Any RV park or campground having town sewer or water lines available shall be required to hook up to town water and sewer systems. In RV parks and campgrounds not having sewer or water lines available, any alternative systems shall require approval of the Public Works Director for the town and shall be sufficient in meeting requirements of the state and county Departments of Environmental and Health Services.
(10) Refuse disposal.
(a) No campsite shall be located in excess of 200 feet from any refuse container.
(b) Such containers shall be made of heavy and durable material with lids.
(c) Refuse containers shall be stored on platforms which are elevated at least six inches from the ground and are well drained.
(d) Such containers shall have a holding capacity of not less than 30 gallons.
(e) At least one two-yard standard dumpster with lid shall be required to be located near a facility entrance for convenient pick-up. More than one such dumpster may be required, depending on the number of sites to be served and the number of weekly pick-ups.
(11) Miscellaneous provisions.
(a) Any expansion of an existing campground must meet the requirements of this section.
(b) Campsites are to be well marked and numbered.
(c) For RV parks, a sanitary waste station shall be provided, unless all campsites are connected to an approved sewer system.
(Res. 2022-23, passed 8-1-2022; Ord. 2024-05 passed 5-6-2024)