Chapter 18.85 — C CAMPING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OUTSIDE DESIGNATED CAMPGROUNDS COMBINING…

• (a) The combining district defined by this chapter is applicable to any property which is rezoned by the Lassen County board of supervisors to include said combining district, including, but not limited to, the Spaulding Eagle Lake Tract, as said Tract is shown on the map filed in Book 1, Pages 50-52, of the Official Records of Lassen County, California.

• (b) The development standards of this combining district shall apply to non-commercial camping on private property outside designated operational campgrounds. This combining district is not intended for commercial campgrounds regulated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and/or through a use permit issued in accordance with Chapter 18.112 .

• (c) This chapter is not intended to prohibit overnight camping on private property with a legally established residence, pursuant to property owner consent, and in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations, provided any such residence is habitable (in accordance with Title

12 of this code and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). This chapter does not apply to any such camping.

• (d) Property owners owning property rezoned into this combining district shall be permitted to allow non-paying guests and family members (e.g. non-commercial) to camp on their property, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, provided there is no commercial activity associated with the camping.

• (e) Nothing in this chapter is intended to prohibit or render unlawful, activities of a property owner, or other lawful user, if such activities are expressly authorized pursuant to this code or other law, or expressly authorized pursuant to a land use entitlement issued pursuant to Chapter 18.112 .

• (f) Any camping associated with outdoor festivals, as defined in Section 18.85.020 , is strictly prohibited and is not permitted pursuant to this chapter.

• (Ord. 2024-09, 8/13/2024)

The following terms, used in this chapter shall have the assigned meanings:

"Camping" is defined as residing in or using any public or private property for one or more nights as living accommodation, such as sleeping activities or making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping), or storing personal belongings (including, but not limited to, clothing, sleeping bags, bed rolls, blankets, sheets, luggage, backpacks, kitchen utensils, cookware, and similar material), or making any fire or using any tents, regularly cooking meals, or living in a parked vehicle. These activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that a person(s) is using public or private property as a living accommodation for one or more nights.

"Camp paraphernalia" shall mean, but is not limited to, tents, tarps, cots, sleeping bags, hammocks, lawn chairs, cooking facilities and similar equipment. The above and other similar items shall be considered "camp paraphernalia" when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances that a person is using said items for one or more nights, with intent to camp.

"Legally established residence" means a lawfully established structure, that is habitable and is suitable for human occupancy as required by Title 12 of this code, by Sections 17922 and 17958 of the California Health and Safety Code, or by the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). A recreational vehicle does not constitute a legally established residence for purposes of this chapter.

"Outdoor festivals" means and includes any outdoor gathering of individuals for the purpose of participation in concerts, dances, and similar musical and/or theatrical type performances which are of a periodic nature and to which the public is admitted with or without the payment of admission charges.

"Squat" or "squatting" is defined as unlawfully settling on another's land, whether said land be public or private, without express legal title or authority to do so, or entering upon another's land in bad faith claiming the right to do so without proper written authority to do so being provided to the satisfaction of the director of the planning and building services department or authorized person. Any camping that may occur on public lands that does not meet the requirements of this chapter is also considered squatting. Squatting is strictly prohibited in Lassen County. (Ord. 2024-09, 8/13/2024)

• (a) In any district to which this Combining District is added, camping shall be allowed by right up to three hundred days in any calendar year.

• (b) Compliance with all minimum setbacks for the primary zoning district must be met.

• (c) Any person camping on private property who is not the owner of the property involved must have written permission from the property owner, to the satisfaction of the director of the planning and building service department.

• (d) Unless there is a legally established residence that is habitable, the site on which camping is proposed lasting longer than fourteen days shall meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • (1) Said site has access to an approved connection to the Spalding Community Services District sewer system.

  • (2) Said site shall have portable restroom(s) with toilet facilities available to campers meeting all requirements of this code, the California Plumbing Code, and other applicable state law or regulation. Said facilities must be provided and accessible to campers on the private property on which camping is proposed. Restrooms at nearby publically owned campgrounds and parks do not qualify for use by campers on private property. However, it shall be at the discretion of the director of the planning and building services department to allow camping for up to twenty days without portable restroom toilet facilities being made available; or

  • (3) All persons camping on said site shall have access to a recreational vehicle that has a properly maintained toilet facility with holding tanks adequate to store waste generated from all campers. Said tanks shall be emptied in accordance with all applicable law as often as necessary during any term in which camping is allowed.

• (e) The applicant is responsible for ensuring there is an adequate supply of potable water available. Any connection to an on-site well or other water source must first be approved by the manager of the environmental health division of the planning and building service department or by the applicable community service district or state agency.

• (f) Dumping of any trash or litter is prohibited. Trash receptacles sufficient for the number of campers must be provided, and, at the termination of the term of camping, all garbage, trash, or other waste shall be removed and properly disposed of, or, if the period of camping is longer than fourteen days, disposal shall be weekly. The applicant shall comply with any orders issued by the director of the planning and building services department in terms of removing garbage and debris, sanitation, and/or any other applicable requirements of this code and/or state law or regulation.

• (g) All use of camp fires or burning shall be in compliance with state and local law, and pursuant to any required permits.

• (h) Outdoor storage of camp paraphernalia shall not be permitted when not in use by campers.

• (i) All uses pursuant to this combining district shall comply with the Lassen County Noise Ordinance (County Code Chapter 9.65 ).

• (j) At the termination of the term of camping, all tents and temporary structures or shelters shall be removed from the subject property.

• (k) Any recreational vehicle being used for camping shall be licensed and maintained in a readily transportable configuration either on its own power or be capable of being legally towed.

• (Ord. 2024-09, 8/13/2024)

Any camping in any calendar year greater than three hundred days or commercial camping shall require that a use permit first be secured in accordance with Chapter 18.112 . (Ord. 2024-09, 8/13/2024)

Violations of this chapter are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be subject to the enforcement actions detailed in Chapter 1.18 (Public Nuisances) and 1.19 (Abandoned Vehicles) as well as any other applicable provision of this code and/or state law or regulation. Any such violation of this chapter may also be charged as a misdemeanor. (Ord. 2024-09, 8/13/2024)