Section 10. Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively indicated unless another meaning is clearly intended or required by the context.

"Approved" means a procedure of operation or construction which is in accordance with the standards established by the Virginia Department of Health, or which is acceptable to the Health Commissioner based on his determination as to the conformance with appropriate standards and good public health practice.

"Campgrounds" means and includes, but is not limited to tourist camps, travel trailer camps, recreation camps, family campgrounds, camping resorts, camping communities or any other area, place, parcel or tract of land, by whatever name called, on which three or more campsites are occupied or intended for occupancy, or facilities are established or maintained, wholly or in part, for the accommodation of camping units for periods of overnight or longer, whether the use of the campsites and/or facilities is granted gratuitously, by a rental fee, by lease, by conditional sale or by covenants, restrictions and easements. This definition is not intended to include summer camps, and migrant labor camps as defined in §§ 35.1-16 and 32.1-203 of the Code of Virginia, construction camps, permanent mobile home parks, or storage areas for unoccupied camping units, or property upon which the individual owner may choose to camp and not be prohibited or encumbered by covenants, restrictions and conditions from providing his sanitary facilities within his property lines.

"Camping unit" means and includes tents, tent trailers, travel trailers, camping trailers, pick-up campers, motor homes or any other device or vehicular-type structure as may be developed marketed and used by the camping trade for use as temporary living quarters or shelter during periods of recreation, vacation, leisure time, or travel.

"Campsite" means and includes any plot of ground within a campground used or intended for the exclusive occupation by a camping unit or units under the control of a camper.

"Emergency" means a condition that in the exercise of the sound discretion of the Health Commissioner is found deleterious to the public health, safety and welfare and requires immediate action.

"Health Commissioner" means the chief executive officer of the State Board of Health or his authorized agent.

"Independent camping unit" means a unit which contains a water- flushed toilet, lavatory and shower as an integral part of the structure, and which requires an on-site sewer connection due to the absence of a waste holding tank on the unit.

"Non-self-contained camping unit" means a unit which is dependent upon a service building for toilet and lavatory facilities.

"Outdoor bathing facilities" means lakes, ponds, rivers, tidal waters, impoundments, beaches, streams or other places, whether natural or man-made, in which an area is held out for swimming or bathing purposes.

"Overflow area" means a plot of ground in or adjacent to the campground set apart for accommodating those campers for whom no designated sites are available in the general geographical area, and which is subject to certain restrictions as to size, length of stay, temporary facilities, etc.

"Overnight" means the occupation of a camping unit as a temporary habitation between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., or major portion thereof.

"Permit" means a written permit issued by the Health Commissioner authorizing a designated person to operate a specific camping place.

"Person" means and include any individual or group of individuals, partnership, firm, private or public association or corporation, state, county, city, town, or anyone who by covenant, restriction or agreement has care, control, custody or management of property or parts thereof, or any combination of the above or other legal entity.

"Primitive camps" means camps which are characterized by the absence of what is generally understood as modern conveniences such as water- flushed toilets, showers and electrical connections. A campground shall be classified as a primitive camp when half or more of the required number of toilet seats are nonflush type.

"Self-contained camping unit" means a unit which contains a water-flushed toilet, lavatory, shower and kitchen sink all of which are connected, as an integral part of the structure, to water storage and sewage holding tanks located within the unit.

"Service building" means a structure housing toilet, showers or lavatories.

"Sewage" means the human excrement from service buildings, sanitary stations, camping units or other places together with such kitchen, laundry or shower wastes as may be present.

"Swimming pool" means any swimming, wading or spray pool, including all appurtenant equipment, structures and facilities provided for the use of the campers.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR355-35-04 § 1, eff. July 21, 1971.

Statutory Authority

§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-17 of the Code of Virginia.