Campgrounds

Proposed Changes to Cowlitz County Campgrounds Regulations

What is happening?

Cowlitz County is developing a Cowlitz County Code called “General Sanitation Requirements for Campgrounds in Cowlitz County.”

Why is the County developing “General Sanitation Requirements for Cowlitz County Campgrounds”?

• The current county code, CCC 18.56 Campground and Recreational Facilities was written in 1998 and is outdated.
• The existing code includes both Health Codes and Development Standards used by the Planning Department.
• The existing code makes it difficult for existing parks to expand.

What is the goal of the change?

• Separate the Health and Development Code Sections.
• Clarify authority and responsibility. 
• Reduce regulatory burden for expansion of existing parks.
• Improve development predictability for property owners.

Timeline

Building and Planning Changes:

• SEPA Completed in February 2022
• “Campground and Recreation Facility” approved by the Cowlitz County Planning Commission in October 2022
• Next step: Public Hearing for proposed changes when the Health code is ready.

Health Department Changes:

• SEPA Completed in November 2022
• 1/24/2023: A draft of the new code “General Sanitation Requirements for Cowlitz County Campgrounds” was introduced to the Board of Health (BOH).
• 2/24/2023: A draft and red-line version of the new code “General Sanitation Requirements for Cowlitz County Campgrounds” introduced to the BOH.
• 3/1/2023: Work session with the BOH to discuss the new county code related to the health requirements.
• Next Step: 3/8/2023 Work session with the BOH to discuss the new county code related to the health requirements.