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City of Vineland, NJ
Cumberland County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (0) Index Notes (1)
A. 
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CAMPER
Any individual who occupies a campsite or otherwise assumes charge of, or is placed in charge of, a campsite.
CAMPGROUND
A plot of ground on which two or more campsites are located, established or maintained for occupancy by camping units of the general public as temporary living quarters for children, adults, or both, for recreation, education and vacation purposes.
CAMPING UNIT
Any tent or camping vehicle temporarily located on a campsite, or a cabin, lean-to or similar structure established, maintained and operated in a campground as temporary quarters for children, adults, or both, for recreation, education or vacation purposes, but shall not include any camping unit kept by its owner on land occupied by him in connection with his dwelling or any camping unit which is not occupied and which is kept at a campground for storage purposes only at a location reserved for the storage of such camping units.
CAMPING VEHICLE
A vehicular-type portable structure without permanent foundation which can be towed, hauled or driven and primarily designed as temporary living accommodation for recreational camping and travel use, including but not limited to travel trailers, truck campers, camping trailers and self-propelled motor homes.
CAMPSITE
Any plot of ground within a campground intended for exclusive occupation by a camping unit or units under the control of a camper.
OWNER
The owner, lessee, tenant or other person having authorization to permit, and who does permit, the occupancy of a campground by campers or overnight occupants.
B. 
In addition, all definitions of N.J.A.C. 8:22-1.6 shall apply.
This article is enacted to provide standards and regulations to which all campgrounds and owners thereof shall comply to ensure the protection of public health and safety.
This article is authorized under N.J.S.A. 40:52-1, pertaining to licenses, and N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., pertaining to land use.
The licensing provisions of this article shall be under the jurisdiction of the City Council; the land use development shall be under Planning Board and Department of Health approval.
No more than six licenses for campgrounds within the City of Vineland shall be issued at any time.
A. 
Location. Campgrounds shall be permitted in the W-5, W-6 and P-F Zones under conditional use regulations. See Sheet 2, Conditional Use Specific Standards (§ 425-308 of Article XV of this chapter). Campgrounds and campsites may also be permitted in the Pinelands Agricultural Production and the Pinelands Forest Zones as specified by the Pinelands Commission and by provisions of this article. See Article XI for regulations governing development in the Pinelands.
[Amended 1-23-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
B. 
Minimum size. A campground shall comprise a minimum of three acres of contiguous unencumbered land.
C. 
Lands restricted. No land being mined or which has ever been mined shall be included in a campground site unless:
(1) 
The applicant submits proof that said land is reasonably safe from soil erosion, bad drainage conditions, stagnant water ponding and unusual water hazards.
(2) 
Said land has been rehabilitated, including the replacement of topsoil.
(3) 
Measures are taken for gas venting.
(4) 
Such land is approved for the use by the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection).
A. 
Campsites per acre. The number of campsites per gross acre shall not exceed 18.
B. 
Minimum area per campsite. The minimum area per campsite shall not be less than 1,000 square feet.
C. 
Maximum persons per acre. A campsite may accommodate one or more camping units occupied by persons within the same party in charge of a camper, but in no case shall the total number of overnight occupants exceed 180 persons per acre.
Permitted uses shall be as follows:
A. 
Campsites, to be occupied only by camping units and campers' vehicles.
B. 
Permanent platforms, ramps, cabins or lean-tos provided only by the owner of the campgrounds.
C. 
Normal camping equipment, such as canvas awnings, screened enclosures and temporary platforms, which will be removed with the camping unit.
Permitted accessory uses shall be as follows:
A. 
Campground office and storage facilities.
B. 
Gasoline filling stations.
C. 
Campground convenience stores.
D. 
Restaurants.
E. 
Showers and rest room facilities.
F. 
Outdoor fireplaces, picnic facilities and drinking fountains.
G. 
Tennis courts and swimming pools.
H. 
Recreation halls.
The following uses shall be prohibited:
A. 
Permanent or semipermanent huts or other living room additions to camping units.
B. 
Unenclosed storage of any materials, tools, equipment or trash.
C. 
Outdoor displays, temporary signs, pennants or banners, except as may be authorized by permit for a special event.
D. 
Any use that would result in a violation of the New Jersey State Sanitary Code, Chapter XI, the zoning standards of this chapter and the purposes of this article, or any use which would destroy the natural features of the land or pollute the water or create potential hazard to the public health, safety and welfare.
A. 
Signs shall be permitted as follows:
(1) 
One sign, not to exceed a total of 32 square feet, at the main entrance to a campground.
(2) 
Directional signs, not to exceed four square feet, with the number kept to the minimum necessary to achieve their purpose.
(3) 
Temporary signs, limited to a maximum total of 30 calendar days during the period from April 1 through November 1 of each year.
B. 
A detailed illustration of all signs shall be submitted for review and approval prior to the issuance of permits.
The standards set by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code,[1] the Illuminating Engineering Society, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Soil Conservation District Office, the New Jersey State Sanitary Code (Chapter XI) and such other statutory provisions which pertain shall apply to the development of a campground. Each phase and type of construction shall comply with the applicable codes and standards. See Subsection J of § 425-71, Flood damage prevention, and § 425-79, Construction standards, of Article VII.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
A. 
Access. Each campground shall be provided with a safe, convenient access to a dedicated public thoroughfare.
B. 
Accessways and parking areas shall be built on a stable base, be conveniently located and shall be maintained free of potholes, dust and hazards.
C. 
Accessways and pedestrian paths shall be so located so as to preserve the maximum number of shade trees and natural features and shall not be placed closer than 40 feet to any property line.
D. 
Width of access drives shall be a minimum of 30 feet for two-way access and a minimum of 14 feet for one-way access.
E. 
Access drives within a campground shall be private drives unless the Planning Board requires a dedication in order to implement the Official Map and the Master Plan of Street Extensions.
F. 
Impact statements (traffic and/or environmental) may be required to establish or expand a campground when the campsites exceed 100. See §§ 425-80 and 425-81 of Article VII.
A. 
All electrical trunk lines shall be installed below ground.
B. 
All metal parts of a camping vehicle that is equipped for electrical service shall be properly grounded.
C. 
All access drives shall be lighted to permit safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night.
D. 
Lights shall be focused away from campsites and the adjoining properties.
A. 
Each campsite shall be well-drained and laid out to provide sufficient open and graded space to accommodate camping units and parking space for an automobile in such manner as will not interfere with convenient and safe traffic flow.
B. 
Consistent with safe traffic flows, shade trees shall be preserved and protected and, wherever practicable, trees, underbrush, large rocks and other natural features shall be left intact at the edges of adjoining campsites as well as around the perimeter of the entire site.
C. 
Natural ground cover shall be maintained within the campground wherever possible to facilitate drainage, prevent erosion and preserve the scenic attributes of the area.
D. 
Platforms, cabins, camping equipment and campsites shall be placed no closer than 30 feet to any access drive and at least 100 feet from all campground boundary lines.
A. 
No campground owner shall cause or permit any services, facilities, equipment or utilities required under this article to be removed, shut off or discontinued while the campground is occupied except during temporary emergencies while repairs are in progress after authorization by the Municipal Health Official.
B. 
The campground owner shall maintain in continuous good condition all access drives, water and sewer systems, disposal facilities, drainage systems, electrical and other utilities, all buildings, site improvements and services.
C. 
The owner shall see that the entire site is kept in a sanitary condition and shall carry out any measures for pest control found necessary by the Municipal Health Official.
D. 
The owner shall see that the entire site is kept free of litter and trash and shall be responsible for compliance with all the regulations set under N.J.A.C. 8:22-1.1 through 8:22-1.46.
A. 
Every campground shall be under the care and supervision of a caretaker or manager who, if not resident at the campground, shall be present at the site each day that it is occupied.
B. 
Information shall be posted as to where the caretaker can be reached, as well as the telephone number and location of the nearest ambulance service, hospital, police station and fire company.
C. 
The caretaker shall maintain the grounds in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the removal of trash and refuse and the collection of solid waste as often as necessary.
D. 
The caretaker shall maintain order within the campground and shall have the right to terminate the occupancy of any campers who violate these provisions.
E. 
The owner may assume the duties of supervision as well as the responsibilities of ownership.
A. 
Each camper shall maintain a clean and safe campsite.
B. 
Each camper shall deposit all waste materials in the containers specified for the purpose.
C. 
Dogs or other pets, if permitted, shall be maintained under control at all times and shall not be permitted to create a public health or noise nuisance. Pets shall not be left unattended at the campsite.
D. 
Campers shall build fires only in the fireplaces provided, shall not create any hazard and shall extinguish the fire completely before the campsite is vacated and before retiring for the night.
E. 
Campers shall comply with all regulations governing the use of any campground facility.
F. 
Campers shall discharge sanitary sewage from camping vehicles only into individual sewer connections or holding tank emptying stations and shall comply with all regulations governing disposal set by the State Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Title 8, Ch. 22, Public Campgrounds, of the New Jersey State Sanitary Code.
G. 
Campers shall not use a potable water supply location to wash clothes, utensils, equipment or themselves.
H. 
Campers shall not make undue noise at any time, particularly during the hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
I. 
Vandalism or other unseemly or rowdy behavior shall not be permitted.
J. 
Campers shall not cut, disturb or remove any vegetation or live plant from the area.
A. 
Soil, subsoil and topographic conditions shall be found suitable for the proposed uses.
B. 
Land located within flood hazard areas shall not be used or developed for any purpose unless it conforms to the standards set by DEP and the provisions of Article VII, § 425-71, of this chapter.
Adequate provision for draining off surface water is essential. The provisions of Article VII, § 425-72, shall be met as required by the specific conditions. In preparing and reviewing drainage proposals, the following criteria shall apply:
A. 
Natural stream beds and floodplain areas shall be clearly defined and protected. Peak downstream runoff shall be minimized.
B. 
Surface drainage systems may include detention structures which assure no additional runoff subsequent to completion of the campground development.
C. 
Surface drainage systems shall accommodate all runoff coming to or accumulating on the development site.
D. 
Grading and drainage development shall conform to the soil erosion and sediment control standards as set by the Cumberland County Soil Conservation Service.
In reviewing an application for a campground development, the Planning Board shall find that provisions are made to preserve, protect and make maximum use of the natural attributes and resources of the site. To this end, an environmental impact statement shall be submitted with each application to expand a campground when the campsites exceed 100. See Article VII, § 425-81, for details of an EIS.
Water supply lines and connections to individual campsites shall be protected from possible damage by parking of automobiles or camping units. Campsite layout shall allow for adequate maneuvering room.
A. 
Entrances and exits to general parking areas or to service areas shall be located at least 50 feet away from the right-of-way line of a dedicated public street.
B. 
Parking arrangements which require a vehicle to back into the traffic flow of an access drive or a public street shall be prohibited.
C. 
Areas providing space for more than five vehicles, service areas, commercial areas or public area parking shall be set back at least 15 feet from an access drive and 30 feet from the right-of-way line of a public street.
D. 
Service areas shall be screened from public view. Existing shrubs and trees shall be retained wherever possible and supplemented, if necessary, to provide screening and/or landscaping around all public or general activity areas.
A. 
The side and rear boundaries of campgrounds shall be provided with a buffer area at least 20 feet wide. No campsite or parking facility shall be permitted within said buffer.
B. 
Where natural vegetation does not exist in density sufficient to create a visual barrier, supplemental vegetation shall be provided to screen campsites from adjacent properties. A rustic fence may be combined with vegetation to achieve screening.
C. 
Plantings along road frontages shall be required to buffer noise and light. Such plantings shall not exceed a height of four feet at access points in order to maintain proper visibility.
D. 
Existing shade trees shall be supplemented wherever necessary throughout the campground in order to provide maximum shade. Shrubbery shall be retained and supplemented at appropriate locations to serve as windscreens.
The application for approval of a campground development shall include a copy of the resolution adopted by the City Council which indicates no objection to the proposed development.
See Article VI, § 425-58, Concept plans.
A. 
The site plan data required under Article VI, § 425-61B, shall apply.
B. 
In addition, the following information is required:
(1) 
The name of the campground.
(2) 
The floodplain boundaries and/or areas of soils limitations.
(3) 
The location of all service areas, with dimensions.
(4) 
The location of campsites, with dimensions.
(5) 
The location of group recreational activity areas, if any.
(6) 
The location of easements, type and dimensions noted.
(7) 
The location of drives and accessways, widths and lengths.
(8) 
A delineation of all buffer areas, dimensioned.
(9) 
A delineation of setback lines from access drives and public streets, dimensioned.
(10) 
The location, type and plan of screening.
(11) 
A report of soils analyses and percolation tests.
(12) 
Any other data found to be pertinent to the particular site.
A. 
On-site improvements listed under Article VI, § 425-62B, shall apply as required for the specific site and the specific use. See § 425-79 of Article VII, Design Standards.
B. 
Off-tract improvements, if required, shall be in accordance with the provisions of § 425-47 of Article VI.
A. 
A complete site plan submission for a campground development shall consist of the following:
(1) 
Six copies of the plan showing data required, plus four copies if the application must go to the County Planning Board. (See § 425-174.)
(2) 
Two copies of the soils analyses and percolation tests.
(3) 
A schedule of development, if any.
(4) 
A description of easements and any restrictions.
(5) 
A description of the maintenance plan.
(6) 
A traffic impact statement (TIS) if the plan is for over 100 campsites. (See Article VII, § 425-80.)
(7) 
An environmental impact statement (EIS) if the plan is for over 100 campsites. (See Article VII, § 425-81.)
(8) 
A completed application form, signed by the developer.
(9) 
The development review fee. (See § 425-177 herein.)
B. 
The procedure cited under § 425-66D, E and F of Article VI shall apply.
To help defray the municipal costs of reviews and inspections required prior to final approval of a campground development, the following fees shall be paid:
A. 
With the application for preliminary approval: $5 per proposed campsite, with a minimum of $100.
B. 
With the application for final approval: $2.50 per proposed campsite, with a minimum of $50.
C. 
With a resubmission for preliminary or final approval: $2.50 per campsite, with a minimum of $50.
A. 
For provisions regarding exceptions, see Article VI, Subdivisions and Site Plan Review and Approval, § 425-50.
B. 
For provisions regarding variances, see specific standards for campgrounds, Sheet 2, Conditional Use Specific Standards (§ 425-308 of Article XV, Zoning).
[Amended 1-23-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
C. 
For provisions regarding public hearings, see Article I, General Provisions, § 425-9 et seq.
Prior to preliminary approval, the Planning Board shall find that:
A. 
The proposals for maintenance and conservation of open space are reliable, and the space is adequate for the purpose.
B. 
The physical layout of the plan provides for the necessary public services, traffic control and a good environmental climate.
C. 
The development will not have an unreasonably adverse impact upon the area or upon municipal services.
D. 
Any conditions applied to protect the general public and the campers are adequate in the case of phased development.
See Article VI, § 425-68, of this chapter.
See Article VI, § 425-69, of this chapter.
See Article VI, § 425-52, of this chapter.
A. 
See Article VI, § 425-70, of this chapter.
B. 
Note: Final approval grants the applicant the right to:
(1) 
Make application to the City Council for a license to operate a campground.
(2) 
Make application to the construction officials for the necessary permits.
See Article VI, § 425-54, of this chapter.
A. 
It is unlawful to operate a campground within the City of Vineland without a license.
B. 
Applications for licenses to operate or to expand the area of license shall be made to the City Council and shall provide the following information:
(1) 
The name, address and telephone number of the owner and applicant, with certification from the owner authorizing representation by the applicant.
(2) 
A legal description of the campground location, plus Tax Map sheet, block and lot numbers.
(3) 
A copy of the resolution and site plan approved by the Planning Board.
A. 
The granting of a license conveys no right to erect any building or to do any work which requires a permit.
B. 
No permit shall be issued prior to final site plan approval.
C. 
A certificate of occupancy which may be issued prior to the completion of the required site improvements shall be valid only so long as there is compliance with the approved site plan and surety. If, upon expiration of the time set under surety, all conditions of approval have not been met, the surety shall be called and the certificate of occupancy shall be revoked. See § 425-52 of Article VI.
A. 
All licenses shall expire on December 31 of each year. Applications for license renewals shall be made to the City Council on or before December 10 of each year. The licensee shall pay the following fees:
(1) 
For a campground comprising 24 campsites or less: $200 per year.
(2) 
For a campground comprising 25 campsites or more: $200 per year, plus $15 per year per campsite for each campsite in excess of 24.
B. 
In addition to the annual fee, which shall not be prorated, the following fee shall be collected:
(1) 
Campsites: $2 per each week of occupancy. This fee shall be considered part of the license fee and shall be collected on the 10th day of January, April, July and October of each year by the City Clerk. The applicant shall file under oath a statement of the number of campsites occupied in the campground during the preceding three calendar months. Failure to pay all parts of the license fee shall constitute a violation of this chapter, and in addition to penalties, the license may be revoked.
(2) 
Transfer of license fee: $100.
A. 
The licensee shall provide the name, address and telephone number of the following to the City Clerk no later than December 31 of each year:
(1) 
The licensee.
(2) 
The officers of the corporation, if the licensee is incorporated.
(3) 
The campgrounds supervisor.
(4) 
Maintenance supervisors.
B. 
The application for renewal shall reveal any changes which have occurred since the last application for renewal.
The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place on the campgrounds premises at all times.
The license to operate a campground may be suspended or revoked by the City Council at any time if the campground is in violation of any provision herein, upon 10 days' notice in writing to the owner and supervisor. The reason for such action and the remedial action required shall be given. An application for reinstatement may be made any time thereafter with satisfactory proof that the violations have been corrected. No license shall be reinstated prior to compliance.
A. 
During construction, the City Engineer shall be responsible to ensure compliance with the provisions of the approvals pertaining to physical improvements.
B. 
During the operation of a campground, the City of Vineland Health Department shall be responsible to ensure compliance with codes in accordance with the approved plan and the resolution of approval.
A. 
Any person found guilty of violating a provision of this article shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each offense, and each day a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.
B. 
The Municipal Court shall also have the power to suspend the license of a violator pending the elimination of the violation.
C. 
The penalties herein are in addition to any other lawful penalties which may be imposed.