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Assembly approves Low‑Impact Camping Areas Act to simplify county permitting for small campsites
Summary
AB 518, the Low Impact Camping Areas Act authored by Assemblymember Ward, passed the Assembly after floor debate on land‑use compatibility, RVs and sanitation; the bill streamlines permitting for small, county‑approved campsites.
The California State Assembly on May 1 passed AB 518, the Low Impact Camping Areas Act of 2025, a bill by Assemblymember Alex Ward to streamline state permitting for small, county‑authorized low‑impact campsites (LICAs).
Ward said AB 518 would remove a duplicative state review from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for small, commercially available campsites that counties already authorize, speeding approvals and reducing costs for property owners who want to offer a limited number of campsites. He said 50 of California’s 58 counties already authorize such sites and that the change would remove a costly, time‑consuming layer of review.
Assemblymember Gallagher raised concerns about rural and agricultural compatibility, potential complaints from farm operations, the risk of unauthorized long‑term stays, and proper disposal of RV blackwater where hookups do not exist. Ward responded that the bill preserves county control and county permitting would continue to address health and safety, including limits on length of stay (14 days) and conditions governing sanitation; he said the bill removes only a redundant HCD review that can add years to the approval timeline.
After concluding debate, the clerk reported 55 ayes, 0 nos and the measure passed. The bill’s author said the changes are intended to promote access to outdoor recreation, supplement rural incomes and conserve open space while retaining county oversight of conditions, sanitation, and length of stay.
