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Richland Board narrows proposed commercial campground rules: parking cap, generator hours, 1,500-sq-ft sites, $50 base fee
Summary
The Town Board reviewed and edited a draft commercial campground local law (Section 532.1), replacing terminology, limiting parking to a maximum of two spaces per campsite, setting minimum campsite size at 1,500 sq ft, allowing generator hours per campground rules (suggested 10 p.m. cap), and adopting a $50/year fee for up to 10 campsites plus $1 per additional site; Attorney Graham to finalize draft.
The Town Board reviewed a draft local law labeled Section 532.1, "Commercial Travel Trailer Park, Campground, Tent and Campsite Area Standards," and worked through written comments submitted by reviewer Julie Peterson. The board made multiple wording and operational changes intended to align licensing terminology and to accommodate practical campground operations.
Key edits recorded in the minutes include: changing the term "environmental conservation department" to correct reversed wording; changing "water waste treatment" to "waste water treatment"; replacing "past campgrounds" with "preexisting campgrounds"; replacing the word "starting" with "beginning" in one item; removing the word "conspicuously" and replacing it with phraseology directing that required information be "clearly displayed at all times"; and changing the repeated phrase "use permit" to "commercial license" to match other local licensing terminology. The board also agreed additions to definitions are needed: motorhome language should include "temporary living" and the Recreational Vehicle definition may follow suit; the board noted that mobile/manufactured homes are HUD-code, permanent structures and not covered by this law.
On operational standards, the board altered the parking requirement from a minimum of two parking spaces per campsite to a maximum of two parking spaces per campsite, allowing individual campgrounds to set rules (and to provide overflow parking elsewhere). The minutes record that Julie Peterson had raised that some campgrounds prohibit vehicles at campsites for insurance reasons. The requirement that each site corner be physically marked was removed as excessive, but the board retained a requirement that each site display a site number for emergency and fire-code purposes. Item 16's list of adverse conditions was edited to remove "smoke" and "heat" to avoid conflict with normal campfire use; controls on odors and glare remain. Generator hours were changed from a draft start of 6:00 a.m. to language deferring to "per campground rules," with a board suggestion that a 10:00 p.m. cap be considered. The board added the words "square feet" to clarify a minimum campsite size of 1,500 square feet. The fee schedule was edited to read $50 per year for up to 10 campsites, plus $1 per additional site; the minutes record the effective date remains May 1, 2027.
Attorney Graham was given approximately one month to finalize the draft. The minutes note the county inspects campgrounds biannually and that New York State requires a bathroom within 300 feet of any campsite; the board left enforcement of that statutory requirement to county inspection processes. The minutes do not record a formal vote on the draft; they reflect work-session edits and direction to the town attorney.
Why it matters: the edits affect what types of units are covered, how campsites are operated and licensed, noise and generator rules, minimum site sizes, and the local fee structure — all of which will shape campground operations, emergency access, and local oversight if and when the law advances to a public hearing and adoption.
The minutes do not include the finalized draft text or the public hearing date; the board confirmed that public notice requires a minimum of 10 days and that Section 532 (non-commercial) and Section 532.1 (commercial) will be kept as separate laws.
