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New rules for campgrounds

Regional district set to adopt bylaw to regulate campgrounds

Campgrounds in the East Kootenay could soon be subject to more stringent rules.

On Friday, November 2, the Regional District of East Kootenay board of directors gave two readings to its new campground bylaw. There will be a series of public hearings around the region in the coming month, before it comes back to the board for third reading and adoption.

"Under the proposed bylaw, developers will be required to apply for and obtain a campground permit before the construction of a new campground or the expansion of an existing facility is allowed," explained communications manager Loree Duczek.

The campground bylaw contains rules around water and sewer servicing requirements, permitted structures and accessory uses (such as concessions, swimming pools, mini golf and boat rental), garbage disposal and property boundary buffer requirements.

Under the proposed bylaw, campgrounds can't be created on properties smaller than four hectares.

Each campsite must be at least 140 square metres, and each site can have one recreational vehicle, park model trailer or cottage, or up to three tents. Park model trailers must be no longer than 50 square metres.

Campgrounds can have no more than 30 campsites per hectare. Up to 20 per cent of the campground can be sites with cottages, and those cottages must be smaller than 53.5 square metres.

To find out when and where a public hearing on the proposed campground bylaw will be held in your area, call the Regional District of East Kootenay at 250-489-2791.