SANDPOINT — Developers and entrepreneurs alike will no longer be allowed the opportunity to turn a profit in rural Bonner County through the establishment of recreational vehicle parks or camp sites.  

During a July 23 land use hearing, county commissioners in 2-1 vote approved amendments to Bonner County Revised Code, Title 12, which removes recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds as a conditional use for Rural Agricultural/Forestry and Rural Service Center zoning districts.  

The approval followed a timely, four-month amendment process by the county’s planning department, where they held several public hearings to execute the commissioner’s directive to eliminate RV parks and campgrounds as conditional uses in applicable county code.  

Commissioners Asia Williams and Brian Domke approved the removal of the parks in rural areas due to high density levels of developments such as RV parks not preserving the rural characteristics of rural zoned areas. The move follows concerns raised by the Spirit Lake Fire District, which noted that "with limited resources in our county, RV parks/campgrounds pose a tactical challenge and requires fire districts to be more attentive to fire prevention features, conditions and designs.” The agency equally stated that RV parks and campgrounds pose a “unique risk,” stating that RVs “burn more rapidly than structures and spread to other neighboring RVs rapidly.”  

Commissioners agreed that RV parks in rural environments would add more stress to the short-staffed fire districts.  

It was further observed that RV parks would better serve the community in incorporated cities, keeping in line with the health, safety and welfare of surrounding residents.  

Commissioner Ron Korn further agreed with statements made by Williams and Domke but felt that parks would be better served alongside state corridors. However, much of the land surrounding those roads is rurally zoned.  

“I do agree that these types of facilities should not be in Ag Forest area. I also believe that they should not be in rural zones. My argument back then, and still is, that there are rural zones along state corridors that would be a place where I think a campground or RV park would be a good fit for people traveling,” said Korn.  

At least 10 community members spoke in favor of the amended code, all highlighting their request to keep the rural characters of the county rural, sharing safety concerns of high-density parks in rural areas with limited resources. Two residents signed up to speak in opposition of the amendments but struck their names off of the list. 

Removing the usage of RV parks was originally brought forth to county commissioners by Susan and Dave Bowman of advocacy group Keep Bonner County Rural during a March 25 business meeting, where the couple urged that RV parks and campgrounds were listed under commercial use, according to BCRC. The implementation of commercial use in a rural designated area, according to the Bowmans, negatively impacts residents in rural areas through fumes, lights and noises.  

“Keep Bonner County Rural has really been fighting hard for this for a long time, but really, it's the people that want it, it's not the organization. So, I just wanted to make that point, and I just really wanted to thank you,” said Susan Bowman in support of the code amendment in July’s hearing.