§ 23.08.072. Rural Recreation and Camping.

a.

Camping. Permanent organizational group camps sponsored by a church, youth group, corporation or other organization, or camping that is seasonal and incidental to an agricultural use, are subject to the following provisions: Commercial campgrounds as principal uses are subject to Section 23.08.266 (Recreational Vehicle Parks); temporary camps are subject to Chapter 8.64 of the County Code (Temporary Camps).

(1)

Limitation on use. Organizational camps are allowed only in the Rural Lands, Recreation, and Public Facilities categories. Incidental camping is allowed in the Agriculture category as well as where organizational camps are allowed.

(2)

Permit requirements. In addition to a Health Department permit as required by Chapter 8.62 of the County Code, camping facilities are subject to the following:

(i)

Organizational camps. Development Plan approval.

(ii)

Incidental camping. Minor Use Permit approval.

(3)

Minimum site area. As specified in Section 23.04.020 (Parcel Size).

(4)

Density. To be set by the Review Authority where Development Plan or Minor Use Permit approval is required, to a maximum of one unit per acre, which is also to be the maximum density for incidental camping of less than 10 units.

(5)

Setbacks. All camping facilities and activities are to occur no closer than 1,000 feet from any property line or public road.

(6)

Parking. No improved parking is required for incidental camping, provided that sufficient usable area is available to accommodate all user vehicles entirely on-site. The parking requirement for organizational camps is to be determined by the Development Plan approval.

(7)

Access. All-weather access is to be provided to the site.

(8)

Allowed facilities. Camps established pursuant to this section may include the following facilities in addition to tent camping areas, based on the type of camp:

(i)

Organizational camps. Cabins; meeting hall; swimming pool; permanent restroom facilities; accessory and storage buildings.

(ii)

Incidental camping. Water supply and portable restrooms only. Incidental camping uses may also include spaces for a maximum of 10 self-contained recreational vehicles, without utility hookup facilities.

(9)

Sanitation. Restroom facilities are to be provided as required by the Health Department.

(10)

Required findings - incidental camping. A land use permit for incidental camping is to be approved only where the Review Authority first finds that:

(i)

The proposed use will not affect the continuing use of the site as a productive agricultural unit providing food or fiber; and

(ii)

The proposed use will result in no effect upon the continuance or establishment of agricultural uses on surrounding properties.

b.

Dude ranches. A dude ranch is a commercial transient guest occupancy facility incidental to a working ranch, which may include common eating and drinking and recreation facilities subject to the provisions of this subsection, provided that such facilities are to be used by lodging facility guests only, and not made available to the general public for day use.

(1)

Limitation on use. Dude ranches are not to be established in a residential category.

(2)

Permit requirement. Development Plan approval.

(3)

Application content. To include a description of recreational facilities and activities to be offered, and an explanation of the relationship between the recreational use and continuing agricultural uses.

(4)

Minimum site area. 160 acres, except that where a proposed facility has obtained a recorded right of access and use of adjoining property for recreational purposes, the Planning Commission may reduce the minimum site area as part of the Development Plan approval.

(5)

Setbacks. All facilities are to be located no closer than 500 feet from any property line or public road.

(6)

Coverage. The aggregate area occupied by all structures and facilities established for the dude ranch (including all roads, parking areas, lodging and support facilities dedicated to the dude ranch use) is not to exceed 2% of the total site area.

(7)

Lodging facilities.

(i)

Type of facilities allowed. Dude ranch facilities may be authorized by the Planning Commission to be attached, motel-type units or detached cabins, provided that they include no cooking or eating facilities.

(ii)

Occupancy. Lodging facilities are to be rented only to guests which will also utilize other dude ranch facilities. Dude ranch lodgings are not to be used for RV park or motel-type overnighters.

(iii)

Density. The density of guest lodgings is to be established by the Planning Commission, with the total number of units to be based upon the capability of the ranching activities to continue without interference from guest activities, provided that the maximum density of lodging facilities is to be no more than one guest unit for each five acres in the Agriculture category, and one guest unit per acre in other categories.

(8)

Parking requirement. To be set through Development Plan approval.

(9)

Required findings. A Development Plan for a dude ranch in the Agriculture land use category is to be approved only where the Planning Commission makes the following findings in addition to those required by Section 23.02.034c(4):

(i)

The proposed use will not substantially affect the continuing use of the site as a productive agricultural unit providing food or fiber; and

(ii)

The proposed use will result in no substantially adverse effect upon the continuance or establishment of agricultural uses on surrounding properties.

Where located in other than in an Agriculture category, the only required findings are those in Section 23.02.034c(4).

c.

Health resorts and bathing. Commercial health resorts, outdoor hot springs, spas, or hot tub rental operations that are operated as a principal use, and transient lodging facilities accessory to such use, are subject to the following:

(1)

Limitation on use. Health resorts and bathing facilities are not allowed in a Residential Suburban category, and are not allowed in the Agriculture land use category unless the facility is dependent upon a natural on-site resource such as a lake or hot springs.

(2)

Permit requirement. Development Plan approval, in addition to a Health Department permit as required by Chapter 8.60 of this code.

(3)

Minimum site area. 10 acres in the Agriculture and Rural Lands categories; five acres in other rural categories; one acre when located within an urban or village reserve line.

(4)

Parking. Two spaces per hot tub or spa; and one space per 100 square feet of swimming pool area. Where lodging units are included, additional spaces are to be provided at a ratio of one space per lodging unit.

(5)

Sanitation and water disposal. The provision of sanitary facilities and the disposal of wastewater from hot tubs or pools is to be in accordance with requirements established by the Health Department, and by the Regional Water Quality Control Board pursuant to Section 23.06.102 (Regional Water Quality Control Board Review).

d.

Hunting and fishing clubs.

(1)

Limitation on use. Hunting and fishing clubs are to be located only in the Agriculture, Rural Lands and Recreation categories.

(2)

Permit requirement. Minor Use Permit approval.

(3)

Location. Hunting activities are to be limited to areas no closer than one-half mile from any residential category or residential use other than that of the applicant.

(4)

Setbacks. Any membership hunting facilities and activities are to be located no closer than 1,000 feet from any property line or the public road. No limitation on the location of fishing activities other than required for structures by Section 23.04.100 (Setbacks) or other provisions of this chapter.

[Amended 1992, Ord. 2591; 1993, Ord. 2635; 1995, Ord. 2715]