Knox Public Health issues permits and inspects all day camps, resident day camps, campgrounds, and recreational vehicle parks located in Knox County. We are required by law to inspect each park or camp once per year, but we typically inspect them several times a year or more often if needed to maintain the parks in compliance with the Ohio Recreational Vehicle Park Rules (Ohio Administrative Code 3701-26) and the Day Camp and Resident Camp Rules (Ohio Administrative Code 3701-25).
Types of Camps
A campground is any tract of land upon which five or more portable camping units are placed and includes any roadway, building, structure, vehicle or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the facilities of such camp. A tract of land that is subdivided for lease or other contract of the individual sites is a recreation camp if five or more portable camping units are placed on it for recreation, vacation or business purposes.
A recreational vehicle park is any tract of land used for parking five or more self-contained recreational vehicles and includes any roadway, building, structure, vehicle or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the park facilities and any tract of land that is subdivided for lease or other contract of the individual sites for the express or implied purpose of placing self-contained recreational vehicles for recreation, vacation or business.
Combined park-camp means any tract of land upon which a combination of five or more self-contained recreational vehicles or portable camping units are placed and includes any roadway, building, structure, vehicle or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the park facilities. A tract of land that is subdivided for lease or other contract of the individual sites is a combined park-camp if a combination of five or more recreational vehicles or portable camping units are placed on it for recreation, vacation or business purposes.
A temporary park-camp is when a tract of land is used for camping by placing RV’s, campers, and/or tents for no more than 7 consecutive days and not more than a total of 21 days per year.
A resident camp means a facility which is being primarily utilized for the purpose of camping, that requires overnight residence, indoor or outdoor activities, and exists on any tract of land together with any buildings or other structures pertinent to its use.
A day camp means a facility which is being primarily utilized for the purpose of camping, indoor or outdoor activities, and exists on any tract of land together with any buildings or other structures pertinent to its use, but does not require overnight residence.
Applications/Campground Plan Review
Campground applications and plan review requirements are specific to the type of campground being developed or operated. To request an application and/or a plan review packet, or more information, contact the Environmental Health Division by calling 740-392-2200, Ext. 2222.
Plan review information can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website
When we inspect a day camp, we look for:
- The water supply is safe and sanitary;
- Proper collection and disposal of sewage;
- Toilet facilities are maintained, clean and sanitary;
- Handwashing and shower facilities are maintained, clean and sanitary;
- Trash and solid waste is properly stored and disposed;
- Insects, rodents, pests and noxious plants are controlled;
- Pets and other animals are properly managed;
- General safety measures are maintained;
- The grounds and buildings are maintained.
When we inspect a recreational vehicle park or campground,
here are some of specifics we look at:
- Distances between RV’s/portable tents;
- Placement of storage sheds;
- Sites are properly drained and free of trash;
- Water supply systems within the park (Ohio EPA may also monitor);
- Sewage and waste water systems (Ohio EPA may also monitor);
- Toilet, hand washing and shower facilities, if required;
- Solid waste storage and collection;
- Safety measures such as an emergency telephone and a first aid kit;
- Playground and recreational area safety
Helpful links and resources:
Day Camp and Resident Camp Rules (OAC 3701-25)
Recreational Vehicle Park Rules (OAC 3701-26)