Section 19a-2a-29 - Family campgrounds(a)Purpose. The intent of this section is to provide minimum design and construction requirements to ensure a reasonable degree of public health and safety for occupants using facilities supplied by family campgrounds which offer temporary living sites for use by recreational vehicles, camping trailers, and other camping units.(b)Definitions.(1) "Atmospheric vacuum breaker" means a mechanical device that automatically air vents a pipeline to prevent backsiphonage;(2) "Camping trailer" means a vehicular camping unit mounted on wheels and constructed with collapsible sidewalls that fold for towing by another vehicle and unfold at the camping unit site to provide temporary living quarters for recreation, camping or travel;(3) "Camping unit" means a portable structure, shelter, or vehicle having a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet designed and intended for occupancy by persons engaged in recreational camping. Camping units include but are not limited to recreational vehicles, recreational park trailers, camping cabins, housekeeping cabins, tents, tepees, yurts and other rental accommodations that have no hard electrical wiring and no permanent drainage plumbing;(4) "Camping unit site" means a specific area within a family campground set aside for use by a camping unit;(5) "Department" means the Connecticut Department of Public Health;(6) "Family campground " means any location, property, parcel or tract of land under the control of any person, organization, or municipality that contains two or more camping unit sites for use by the public or members of an organization for overnight stays;(7) "Fifth wheel trailer" means a vehicular camping unit, mounted on wheels, designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreation, camping or travel, of such size or weight as not to require special highway movement permit(s), and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle that contains a towing mechanism above or forward of the tow vehicle's rear axle;(8) "Gross trailer area" means the total plan area measured to the maximum horizontal projection of exterior walls in the setup mode;(9) "Motor home" means a vehicular camping unit designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use built on or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or on a chassis cab or van that is an integral part of the completed vehicle;(10) "Primitive campground" means a family campground where no facilities or designated camping unit sites are provided for the comfort or convenience of the campers;(11) "Public water system" means any water provider supplying water to fifteen (15) or more consumers or twenty-five (25) or more persons, based upon the "Design Population" as defined in section 16-262m-8(a)(3) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies jointly administered by the department and the Department of Public Utility Control, daily at least sixty (60) days of the year;(12) "Recreational park trailer" means a trailer-type camping unit that is primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping that meets the following criteria: (A) Be built on a single chassis mounted on wheels;(B) have a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet, and(C) be certified by the manufacturer as complying with ANSI A119.5.(13) "Recreational vehicle" means a vehicular-type camping unit primarily designed as a temporary living quarters for recreation, camping or travel that either has its own motive power or is mounted on or towed by another vehicle. The basic entities included are camping trailer, fifth wheel trailer, motor home, travel trailer and truck camper;(14) "Sanitary disposal station" means a facility provided for emptying of camping unit wastewater storage tanks;(15) "Semi-primitive campground" means a family campground where designated camping unit sites are not provided and where some rudimentary facilities (privies and/or fireplaces) may be provided for the comfort and convenience of the campers;(16) "Suitable acre" means dry land available for camping unit site development;(17) "Travel trailer" means a vehicular camping unit, mounted on wheels, designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreation, camping, or travel and of such size or weight as not to require special highway movement permits when towed by a motorized vehicle;(18) "Truck camper" means a portable camping unit constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreation, camping, or travel, consisting of a roof, floor, and sides designed to be loaded onto and unloaded from the bed of a pickup truck;(19) "Water riser pipe" means that portion of the water system serving a camping unit or camping unit site that extends from the water supply main through a lateral branch and terminates at a water connection; and,(20) "Water supply station" means a facility for supplying drinking water to campers or camping unit water storage tanks.(c)General Provisions.(1) Registration with the local director of health. Each person, firm or corporation operating a family campground shall register annually in writing with the local director of health of the town, borough, city or health district in which such family campground is located. No person, firm, or corporation shall operate or maintain any family campground without first obtaining local permits or licenses if such permits or licenses are required by local ordinance or regulation. The written registration shall include the name and location of the family campground, the name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for daily operations at the facility, the number of camping unit sites, and the expected dates of operation, if not open year round. All family campgrounds shall submit annual registrations between January 1st and April 30th of each year of operation.(2) Responsibility of the local director of health. The local director of health or his or her authorized agent shall inspect annually each family campground. If it is found to be operating in such a manner that constitutes a public health hazard or public health nuisance, the local director of health shall investigate and cause the abatement of such condition. Any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by an order issued by the local director of health, may within three business days after receipt of such order, appeal to the Commissioner of Public Health in accordance with section 19a-229 of the Connecticut General Statutes.(3) Records. The owner, firm or corporation shall maintain a daily register of all camping unit site occupants or camping unit occupants and groups at the family campground. Such register shall include the name of the family head or the responsible group member, his or her permanent address, dates of arrival and departure, and motor vehicle license plate number if applicable. The registration form shall indicate the site or unit assigned and the classification of the vehicle.(4) Fire Safety Rules and Regulations. Family campground management shall conspicuously post fire safety rules and regulations. These postings shall contain the following minimum information and any other additional information required by the local fire marshal: (A) The telephone number of the fire department or location of nearest fire alarm box;(B) the telephone number of the police department;(C) the telephone number, name and address of the family campground; and,(D) the location of the nearest public telephone.(5) First Aid Information. Family campground management shall maintain on-site a fully equipped first aid kit equivalent to an American National Red Cross Standard 24 Unit Kit and conspicuously post the location of said first aid kit. Each family campground shall have a public telephone available at all times for use by the occupants and have available a directory of local hospitals, ambulance services, police and fire departments.(6) Accident Report Requirements. Report forms, describing an accident or injury, shall be completed in duplicate by family campground management for each injury or fatality that occurs at a family campground requiring attendance by an emergency medical service, a nurse, physician, or the police. Information on the report forms shall include the name, age and sex of the victim, relevant background data on the accident, injury classification, response data, diagnosis, and patient disposition. The accident report form shall be maintained at the family campground for a minimum of 1 year.(7) Camping Unit Site Space Allotment. The number of camping unit sites shall be limited to not more than fifteen per suitable acre, except for camping unit sites serving overnight or transient campers, where the density shall be limited to twenty-five camping unit sites per suitable acre.(8) Public swimming pools and public swimming areas. Public swimming pools and public swimming areas, if provided within a family campground, shall comply with sections 19-13-B33b and 19a-36-B61 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for all public swimming pools and public swimming areas(d)Water Supply and Distribution.(1) General Requirements. The water supply provided at each family campground shall be from a source approved by the department and capable of supplying an adequate quantity to meet all the requirements of the maximum number of persons using the family campground at any one time. The quantity shall be sufficient to serve all peak occupancy demands maintaining 25 psi throughout the distribution system. Each public water system serving a family campground shall comply with the water quality requirements of section 19-13-B102 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Wells used for public water supply shall comply with the requirements of section 19-13-B51a to 19-13-B51m, inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(2) Water Distribution System. The water supply shall be easily obtainable from water riser pipes, water outlets, or water supply stations located within 500 feet walking distance from any camping unit or camping unit site, except for primitive or semi-primitive campgrounds. Water distribution piping shall be of approved materials, adequately protected from leakage, damage and vandalism. The size and design shall be such as to provide adequate pressure throughout the system at all times. The water distribution system shall be protected against the hazard of backflow as required in section 19-13-B38a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a water riser pipe is not available at every camping unit site, a central water supply station with suitable appurtenances for filling water storage tanks shall be provided. All central water supply stations shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from any sanitary disposal station. All central water supply stations shall be equipped with atmospheric vacuum breakers located downstream of the last shutoff valve. Adjacent to the central water supply station, a sign of not less than 24 inch by 24 inch in size shall be posted and inscribed thereon in clearly legible letters on a contrasting background shall be: "DRINKING WATER - NOT TO BE USED FOR FLUSHING WASTEWATER STORAGE TANKS". Water lines that are seasonally drained shall be disinfected when returned to service. A laboratory approved by the department prior to the beginning of each season shall perform water sampling and the water sample(s) shall be absent for total coliform bacteria prior to public use of the water supply. Disinfection shall be provided to all sections of water lines after completion of emergency repairs to assure safe potable water supply service. Water sampling shall be performed after the completion of emergency repair work to confirm the absence of total coliform bacteria. The sampling location(s) shall include at least one location downstream of the repair work.(3) Water Riser Pipes. When provided, water riser pipe connections for individual camping unit sites shall be equipped with a threaded male spigot with the opening pointed down, located at least 12 inches but not more than 24 inches above grade level for the attachment of a standard water hose. Each water riser pipe connection shall be equipped with an atmospheric vacuum breaker located downstream from the last shutoff valve.(e)Sanitary Facilities.(1) General Requirements. Sanitary facilities consisting of flush toilets, lavatories and showers with hot and cold running water shall be provided at one or more locations in every family campground except at primitive or semi-primitive campgrounds. The sanitary facilities shall be located within 500 feet walking distance from all camping units or camping unit sites not provided with an individual sewer connection or scheduled camping unit wastewater storage tank pump out service. Camping unit sites provided with individual sewer connections or scheduled camping unit wastewater storage tank pump out service may be at greater distances from sanitary facilities. All toilet buildings shall provide separate facilities for males and females and shall be appropriately marked. All toilet buildings shall be properly screened with self-closing doors and be vented to the roof. Structures built to house toilets, lavatories and showers shall be constructed of smooth non-absorbent easily cleanable materials and shall be kept clean and sanitary at all times. Separate compartments shall be provided for each toilet and shower. Unisex shower compartments may be utilized only if they are not located within public toilet areas. Each female toilet room shall be provided with a receptacle for sanitary napkins. The receptacle shall be of durable, non-absorbent, and readily cleanable material and shall be provided with a lid. Privies, chemical toilets or other non-flush toilets, and portable lavatories may be used in family campgrounds when approved by the local director of health. The local director of health shall approve methods of disposal of domestic sewage including gray water at primitive and semi-primitive campgrounds.(2) Number of Sanitary Fixtures. Sanitary fixtures shall be provided for all family campgrounds except at primitive or semi-primitive campgrounds in accordance with the following minimum criteria. Camping | Flush Toilets | Urinals | Lavatories | Showers |
Unit Sites | Men Women | Men | Men Women | Men Women |
0 - 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
26 - 50 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
51 - 75 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
76 - 100 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
For family campgrounds with more than 100 camping unit sites, additional toilets, urinals, lavatories and showers shall be provided for men and women at the ratio of 1 each for every additional 30 camping unit sites or part thereof. For those family campgrounds that provide camping unit sites with individual sewer connections or scheduled camping unit wastewater storage tank pump out service, the minimum number of sanitary fixtures required beyond 50 camping unit sites shall be reduced by 1 for every 10 camping unit sites with those services to no lower than the minimum number of fixtures required for 50 camping unit sites.
(f)Subsurface Sewage Disposal.(1) Subsurface Sewage Disposal at Family Campgrounds with Design Flows of 5,000 Gallons per Day or Less. All subsurface sewage disposal systems shall be installed in compliance with section 19-13-B103a to 19-13-B103f inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Plans for every new subsurface sewage disposal system, repair, alteration or extension of an existing subsurface sewage disposal system, including gray water disposal systems, shall be reviewed and approved by the local director of health. No subsurface sewage disposal system shall be installed unless the local director of health has issued an approval to construct nor shall the system be used unless a permit to discharge has been issued by the local director of health in accordance with section 19-13-B103e of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Each subsurface sewage disposal system shall be constructed by a person licensed pursuant to Chapter 393a of the Connecticut General Statutes.(2) Subsurface Sewage Disposal at Family Campgrounds with Design Flows Greater than 5,000 Gallons per Day. On those properties where the sewage design flow exceeds 5,000 gallons per day, plan review, permits to construct, permits to discharge and approvals shall be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection as required by section 22a-430 of the Connecticut General Statutes.(g)Sanitary Disposal Station.(1) General Requirements. In all family campgrounds except primitive and semi-primitive campgrounds, one sanitary disposal station shall be provided for each 150 camping unit sites that are not provided with individual sewer connections or scheduled pump out service for the camping unit wastewater storage tank. Each station shall be level, easily accessible from the service road, and shall provide easy entry and exit for recreational vehicles and recreational park trailers.(2) Sanitary Disposal Station Requirements. Sanitary disposal stations shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from camping unit sites. Each sanitary disposal station shall have a concrete slab with a 4-inch center drain inlet located so as to be on the roadside (left) of the recreational vehicle or recreational park trailer. The drain shall be equipped with self-closing foot-operated hatch of approved material with a tight fitting cover. The drain shall be properly connected to a septic tank or non-discharging holding tank. The slab shall be not less than 3 feet by 3 feet and at least 31/2 inches thick and properly reinforced, trowelled smooth and sloped from each side toward the center drain. A water tap with suitable hose and appurtenances shall be provided at the sanitary disposal station for periodic cleanup of the area. A reduced pressure principal backflow preventer (RPD) shall be installed on the water supply line to this tap. Each RPD shall be tested annually by a distribution system backflow preventer operator certified pursuant to section 25-32-11(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The owner shall promptly restore any malfunctioning RPD to proper operating condition. Adjacent to the water tap located at the sanitary disposal station, a sign of durable material not less than 24 inches by 24 inches in size shall be posted and inscribed thereon in clearly legible letters on a contrasting background shall be: "DANGER- NOT TO BE USED FOR DRINKING OR DOMESTIC PURPOSES".(3) Sanitary Disposal Station Holding Tanks. Watertight non-discharging holding tanks may be installed for the temporary storage of camping unit wastewater dumped at the sanitary disposal station. Such holding tanks shall be equipped with high level alarms or indicators and have an access manhole extended to grade. The local director of health and the department shall approve installation of sanitary disposal station holding tanks. Wastewater from sanitary disposal station holding tanks shall be pumped and disposed of by individuals licensed pursuant to Chapter 393a of the Connecticut General Statutes.(4) Mobile Pump Out Services. Family campgrounds may provide mobile pump out services for camping unit wastewater storage tanks for camping unit sites not served by individual sewer connections. The wastewater collected by the mobile pump out unit must be disposed of at the sanitary disposal station. Mobile pump out units and equipment shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Water used for rinsing mobile pump out equipment shall be considered wastewater and shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner. Accidental spillage of camping unit storage tank wastewater shall be promptly removed or otherwise abated so as to prevent a nuisance or public health hazard.(h)Food Service Establishments.(1) Serving Food, Dispensing Machines. Food and beverages sold at family campgrounds shall be stored and dispensed in accordance with sections 19a-36h-1 to 19a-36h-7, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Food or beverage vending machine operation shall conform to the requirements of section 19-13-B52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(i)General Sanitation.(1) Refuse. The storage, collection and disposal of refuse at family campgrounds shall be such as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding, odors, wild animal attractions, unsightliness or other nuisance conditions. An adequate number of fly tight metal or heavy plastic containers shall be provided and conspicuously located to facilitate refuse storage and disposal. Such containers shall be kept covered at all times. Final disposal of refuse shall be in an approved manner and location in compliance with local and state regulations.
(2) Insects, Rodents, Wild Animals. Grounds, buildings and structures at family campgrounds shall be maintained free of and in such a manner to prevent infestation by rodents, breeding of flies, mosquitoes or other insects, or depredation by animals. The local director of health shall require control measures if any nuisance condition is observed.(3) Camping Unit Site Drainage, General Site Protection. Each camping unit site shall be selected, arranged and improved in such a manner as to promote proper drainage and eliminate flooding and mosquito breeding areas. Poison ivy and other noxious plants shall be removed from the camping unit site. No safety hazard or nuisance condition shall be allowed to remain on all camping unit sites.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 19a-2a-29
Adopted effective December 27, 2005; Amended March 17, 2014; amended 2/17/2023