Campgrounds

Proposed Changes to Cowlitz County Campgrounds Regulations

Resources:

General Sanitation Requirements for Campgrounds in Cowlitz County


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  • The current county code, CCC 18.56 Campground and Recreational Facilities was written in 1998 and is outdated.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 to be scheduled for proposed changes.


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.
  • 3/8/2023 Additional work session with the BOH to discuss the new county code related to the health requirements.
  • Next Step:  Public Hearing to be scheduled for proposed changes.