The Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) is required to license and inspect campgrounds under the authority of Chapter 3729 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Chapter 3701-26 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), which can be found at Ohio Department of Health – Campground Laws & Rules. The campgrounds are inspected to ensure the design, operation, and maintenance of the facilities provide a safe and healthy environment for recreational use. All state-mandated programs are licensed and inspected at least once per season. This mandate includes three types of campgrounds:
Resident Campgrounds
Resident Campgrounds are overnight stays where indoor and outdoor activities take place. Sleeping in tents and cabins, hiking, fishing, canoeing, archery, etc. are some examples of what takes place at Resident Campgrounds. Boy and Girl Scout camps and camps run by religious-based organizations are examples of Resident Campgrounds.
Recreational Vehicle and Combined Park Camps
These parks consist of five or more self-contained recreational vehicles and portable camping units, such as tents or campers. The campground must provide toilet facilities and gray water drains.
Temporary Campgrounds
Temporary campgrounds also have five or more recreational vehicles and portable camping units. However, toilet facilities and proper water hook-ups and wastewater removal are required. This type of campground can only be used for seven (7) consecutive days. The state rules EXEMPT the Lake County Fairgrounds from the rules during the fair.
Temporary Park Camp Licensure
A “temporary park camp” is any tract of land used for a period of time that does not exceed a total of twenty-one days per calendar year for the purpose of parking five or more recreational vehicles, dependent recreational vehicles, portable camping units, or any combination thereof, for one or more periods of time that do not exceed seven consecutive days.
To obtain a license, plans must be submitted to the Lake County General Health District at least fifteen (15) days prior to the event. For more information, please contact LCGHD at (440)-350-2543.
Temporary Park Camp Fact Sheet
Temporary Park Camp Application
