BOCC prohibits new RV parks in rural, rural residential and agricultural/forestry zones

SANDPOINT — At Tuesday’s standing-room-only business meeting, a majority vote by county commissioners disallowed new RV parks and campgrounds in areas zoned as rural, rural residential and agricultural/forestry. 

The effort to disallow RV parks and campgrounds in rural zones stems from several community members who feel that the commercial spaces are invasive to rural residents.   

Brought forth by Dave and Susan Bowman of advocacy group Keep Bonner County Rural, the couple requested approval to amend three Bonner County zones — agricultural forest, rural residential and rural — to disallow RV parks and campgrounds in residential areas.  

The request would only be in effect for new parks and campgrounds, not applicable to those already established in rural residential areas.  

Susan Bowman presented the matter to the board, stating that RV parks and campgrounds are listed under commercial use, according to Bonner County Revised Code. She went further into explanation, suggesting that items listed under commercial use are not appropriate in residential areas.  

In a letter submitted to the board by Dave Bowman, several points were illustrated to suggest why RV parks and campgrounds negatively impact rural/residential areas. He included that fumes, noises and lights disrupt rural living community members. Bowman also indicated that water and sewer usage couldn’t be regulated, and that there was no way to keep individuals from permanently residing in their RVs.  

The couple acknowledged that RVs are acceptable as residences under the residential use table — only two per parcel. However, RV parks and campgrounds are considered commercial, and therefore restricted for permanent residence.  

There was standing room only as residents from all over the county flooded the meeting room to share their opinion on the matter.  

“I think it’s a matter of fairness for the people that have purchased land. We expected that we would be living in a rural area. We wouldn’t have bought our house if we’d known there would be high density trailer parks, apartment complexes or RV parks,” shared Dennis Walker, Bonner County resident. “That’s where they [community members] want to be in Bonner County, in a rural environment, where they can enjoy that. ... We don’t want to mess up our lifestyle because somebody wants to come in and make easy money where they set up an RV park.” 

Katie Botkin, Project 7B coordinator, also made a comment in agreement with restricting RV parks and campgrounds in residential areas. She noted that the topic was popular among the community partially because Panhandle Health District and the county fire districts are not required to sign off on the creation of parks and campgrounds, potentially posing a fire and health risk.  

Another community member, Shawn Glazier, shared his thoughts in favor of RV parks, suggesting that they supported short-term tourists, who, in turn, supported local businesses. He offered that tourists want to camp in rural areas, not in industrial parks or inside city limits.  

During board deliberation, Commissioner Ron Korn stated his agreement for RV parks and campgrounds not being in residential areas. With his approval, Korn requested that the motion be more specific and potentially more lenient for parks and campgrounds. 

Commissioner Brian Domke and Asia Williams also shared their agreement on the matter but felt that there was enough information provided to move forward with the item. 

When it came time to vote, both Domke and Williams voted in favor of disallowing RV parks and campgrounds in areas zoned agricultural forest, rural residential and rural in nature. Korn voted against the item, offering that he couldn’t support the way it was written.