410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds

Authority: IC 16-19-3-4
Affected: IC 16-19-3

Definitions - 410 IAC 6-7.1-1

Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this rule.

Sec. 2. "Bathing beach" means a body of water not contained within a structure, chamber, or tank and used for swimming, diving, or recreational bathing.

Sec. 3. "Campground" means an area or tract of land where campsites are leased or rented and where provisions are made for ten (10) or more tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes. A campground is established, operated, and maintained for recreational, health, education, sectarian, business, or tourist activities away from established residences. The term, as used in this rule, does not include primitive campgrounds, youth camps, or tracts of land divided into individually deeded lots.

Sec. 4. "Campsite" means an individual camping space set aside in a campground for a tent, recreational vehicle, or vacation mobile home.

Sec. 5. "Department" means the Indiana state department of health.

Sec. 6. "Dependent campsite" means a campsite without an individual sewer connection.

Sec. 7. "Gray water" means wastewater originating from dish washing, hand washing, laundering, showers, or sinks.

Sec. 8. "Independent campsite" means a campsite with individual water and sewer connections.

Sec. 9. "Local health officer" means the health officer of any local health department or their authorized representative.

Sec. 10. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, company, corporation, trustee, association, municipality, county, authority, estate, or public or private entity owning, conducting, controlling, managing, or operating a campground.

Sec. 11. "Primitive campground" means an area or tract of land without water supply systems, electricity, or toilets and having no vehicular access.

Sec. 12. "Public sewer" means a sewage disposal facility provided by a utility, municipality, conservancy district, or regional sewer district.

Sec. 13. "Public water supply" means water supplied by a utility, municipality, conservancy district, regional water district, rural water corporation, or not-for-profit water corporation.

Sec. 14. "Recreational vehicle" means a travel trailer, park model, collapsible trailer, truck-mounted camper, or motor home.

Sec. 15. "Sanitary dumping station" means a sewage inlet with cover surrounded by a concrete apron sloped to a drain, and a water outlet. The sanitary dumping station is for disposal of recreational vehicle holding tank waste.

Sec. 16. "Temporary campground" means a campground operated not more than ten (10) consecutive days per event and not more than thirty (30) days a calendar year. Temporary campgrounds are under the jurisdiction of local health officers.

Sec. 17. "Tent" means a shelter with twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its walls or roof, or both, made of fabric.

Sec. 18. "Vacation mobile home" means a manufactured housing unit not on a permanent foundation used for recreational living on a temporary basis and not occupied as a principal residence.

Sec. 19. "Water station" means a facility for filling water storage containers with potable water from an approved water system.

Construction permit requirement - 410 IAC 6-7.1-20

Sec. 20. (a) Any person or persons planning the construction, addition to, or significant change in the construction of any campground shall, at least ninety (90) days prior to the initiation of any such construction, submit plans, drawn to scale, for review and approval by the department. These plans must be certified by a registered engineer or architect licensed to practice in Indiana.

(b) The department may waive the requirement for plan review for any project that it deems to be a minor alteration.

Campgrounds and campsites - 410 IAC 6-7.1-21

Sec. 21. (a) Campgrounds shall have designated campsites, and each site shall be plainly marked with a different number.

(b) No more than one (1) recreational vehicle or one (1) vacation mobile home shall be allowed on a designated campsite at the same time.

(c) The campground owner or operator shall have a plan of the campground. The plan must show the location of each designated campsite with the number assigned to it, and the location of any community buildings, wells, sanitary dumping stations, swimming pools, or sewage disposal systems.

Conditions for health and safety - 410 IAC 6-7.1-22

Sec. 22. No condition, situation, or installation shall be created, installed, or maintained that:

1. may cause or result in a health or safety hazard; or
2. may cause or transmit disease or harbor rodents or other vermin.

Campground water supplies - 410 IAC 6-7.1-23

Sec. 23. (a) Campgrounds shall be provided with an adequate and convenient supply of potable water that meets 327 IAC 8. Potable water shall always be available for culinary, drinking, laundry, and bathing purposes.

(b) Wells shall be constructed, installed, and located in accordance 327 IAC 8 and 312 IAC 13. The construction and location of all campground wells with less than fifteen (15) service connections or serving less than twenty-five (25) people shall comply with all the requirements of this rule.

(c) A campground shall exclusively use a public water supply if public water is available within a reasonable distance. If a public water supply is not available, a campground shall have water supplied from a well that complies with the requirements of 327 IAC 8.

(d) Campground water supply and distribution systems shall have the capacity to deliver a minimum water pressure of twenty (20) pounds per square inch to all water stations and connections during periods of peak water usage. The water supply shall have capacity to meet total daily water demands. If a well or pump cannot meet peak or daily water demand, campgrounds shall be provided with sufficient usable storage capacity to meet the demand.

(e) The casing pipe of a well shall project not less than:

1. twenty-four (24) inches above floor level or finished grade;
2. thirty-six (36) inches above the regulatory flood elevation if located in a designated flood hazard area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(f) Water supplies shall have no well head, well casing, pump, pumping machinery, exposed pressure tanks, or suction piping located in any pit, room, or space, walled in or enclosed so it does not have free drainage by gravity to the ground surface at all times.

(g) Each campground shall provide one (1) or more accessible water stations of an approved design and located so no campsite is more than two hundred (200) feet from a water station. Water stations and sanitary dumping stations shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet apart. A water station having an inside or outside threaded faucet shall have a pressure vacuum breaker installed to protect against back-flow.

(h) In lieu of water stations, individual water riser pipes may be installed at each campsite.

(i) Water riser pipes shall be located and constructed to protect against damage from parking of recreational vehicles.

(j) Water riser pipes shall:

1. be at least one-half (½) inch in diameter;
2. extend at least four (4) inches above ground; and
3. be separated from sewer risers by not less than five (5) feet horizontally.

(k) Stop-and-waste valves or yard hydrants that would allow aspiration or backflow of contaminated water into the potable water system shall not be used.

(l) Wells and potable water distribution systems shall be disinfected after construction and after each repair. The water supply shall be tested and be bacteriologically acceptable in at least two (2) consecutive samples collected at least twenty-four (24) hours apart before it can be used. Each camper shall be advised to boil potable water until sample results reveal a safe water supply.

(m) There shall be no direct physical connection between the campground potable water supply system and any nonpotable water supply system.

Campground sewage disposal - 410 IAC 6-7.1-24

Sec. 24. (a) All sewage generated by a campground, including gray water, shall be disposed of via a connection to a public sewer if available within a reasonable distance from the campground. If a public sewer is not available within a reasonable distance, sewage disposal must comply with 410 IAC 6-12, 410 IAC 6-10, Bulletin S.E. 11, Bulletin S.E. 13 - PDF [1.1 MB], or applicable rules of the Indiana department of environmental management.

(b) If individual sewer connections are provided for recreational vehicles, these connections shall meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Each individual sewer riser shall be at least four (4) inches in diameter.
2. Each individual sewer connection shall be tightly capped when a recreational vehicle is not connected.
3. The rim of the riser pipe shall extend four (4) inches above the ground, and surface drainage shall be diverted away from the riser.

(c) Only wastewater management businesses licensed pursuant to IC 13-18-12 shall clean campground privies and portable toilets of waste. Privies must be pumped when the accumulated waste is within eighteen (18) inches of the privy floor.

Sanitary dumping station

Authority: IC 16-19-3-4 - 410 IAC 6-7.1-25

Sec. 25. (a) All campgrounds, except those having only independent campsites, shall have at least one (1) sanitary dumping station for each two hundred fifty (250) dependent campsites or fraction thereof.

(b) Each sanitary dumping station must be equipped with the following:

1. A four (4) inch sewer riser pipe with a self-closing hinged cover or other tight-fitting closure.
2. A concrete apron at least three (3) feet in diameter and sloped to drain the area surrounding the inlet of the riser pipe.
3. A water outlet for sanitary maintenance of the station.
4. A sign located at the water outlet which states that the water is not for drinking, but for flushing and cleaning holding tanks and the dump station area.
5. A vacuum breaker installed downstream of the last shut-off valve that meets the requirements of 675 IAC 16.

(c) Sanitary dumping stations shall be capable of receiving a sewage flow of at least twenty (20) gallons per day for each dependent campsite served.

(d) Sanitary dumping stations utilizing holding tanks shall be capable of receiving a sewage flow of at least sixty (60) gallons per day for each dependent campsite served.

Campground sanitary facilities - 410 IAC 6-7.1-26

Sec. 26. (a) A campground with dependent campsites shall have flush toilets, sanitary vault privies, or portable toilets, in the following ratios:

(b) Campgrounds with more than one hundred (100) dependent campsites shall be provided with one (1) flush toilet, sanitary vault privy, or portable toilet for each sex in the ratio of one (1) per thirty (30) dependent campsites and one (1) urinal for each one hundred (100) additional campsites.

(c) The entrance to a sanitary facility shall have a sign to designate which sex may use the facility. Solid walls extending from floor to ceiling shall separate facilities for each sex located in the same building.

(d) For all common use rooms that contain sanitary or laundry facilities, excluding sanitary vault privies and portable toilets, the following minimum requirements shall apply:

1. Floors, walls, and partitions around showers, lavatories, and other plumbing fixtures shall be smooth, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable.
2. Bathing and hand washing facilities shall have hot and cold water under pressure. Bathing facilities shall have an approved, properly operating automatic temperature control valve. The valve must control the water temperature at the point of use so it will not exceed one hundred twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit.
3. An operating mechanical exhaust device is required and must replace the air in the facility at least six (6) times per hour.
4. Exterior openings shall be screened utilizing screening of not less than sixteen (16) mesh.
5. Entrances to toilet and bathing facilities shall have self-closing doors.
6. Toilet and bathing facilities shall be configured to prevent viewing of the interior through the entrance door.
7. Light fixtures shall have guards or shields to prevent shattering.
8. At least twenty (20) foot-candles of light measured thirty (30) inches above the floor must be provided throughout the interior of any permanent facility within a campground.

(e) Campground plumbing fixtures shall comply with 675 IAC 16.

(f) Privies shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with Bulletin S.E. 11.

(g) Where electricity is available, campground privy interiors must have artificial illumination. Where electricity is not available, privies must be configured to allow natural light to enter for illumination.

(h) Campground sanitary facilities shall be:

1. maintained in a clean condition and in good repair;
2. properly lighted; and
3. ventilated.

Swimming pools and bathing beaches - 410 IAC 6-7.1-27

Sec. 27. (a) Swimming pools shall comply with 410 IAC 6-2.1 and 675 IAC 20.

(b) Bathing beaches shall comply with the following:

1. Campground bathing beaches shall have a water surface area of at least one (1) acre.
2. A minimum of twenty-five (25) square feet of water surface per bather shall be provided in areas having a water depth less than four (4) feet.
3. At least seventy-five (75) square feet of water surface per bather shall be provided in areas over four (4) feet deep.
4. A minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of land area shall be provided per bather.
5. The campground bathing beach, from the shoreline out to a water depth of six (6) feet, shall consist of sand or pea gravel or other material to minimize turbidity.
6. Floating marker lines securely anchored with buoys, spaced at intervals of no more than twenty-five (25) feet, shall be provided to designate the perimeter of the bathing area. Marker lines shall delineate the separation between the shallow (less than five (5) feet), deep, and diving areas. Depth markers shall be provided at diving areas.
7. Toilet facilities shall be provided within five hundred (500) feet of the campground bathing beach, in the ratio of one (1) toilet for each fifty (50) bathers. Where flush toilets are provided, lavatories shall be provided in the ratio of one (1) lavatory for each fifty (50) bathers.
8. Water samples shall be collected at the campground bathing beach for bacteriological examination and submitted to an approved laboratory for analysis. Samples shall be submitted in accordance with the following:
   1. One (1) sample at least two (2) weeks prior to opening.
   2. One (1) sample each week the bathing beach is open thereafter.
   3. One (1) sample after a heavy rainfall of at least one-half (½) inch.
9. Bathing beach samples shall be collected within one (1) foot of the surface, in water having a depth of at least three (3) feet, but no more than six (6) feet and at least twenty (20) feet from swimmers and animals.
10. The bathing beach must be closed if the beach water quality does not meet the following water quality standards:
    1. Escherichia coliform bacteria, using the membrane filter count, exceeds one hundred twenty-five (125) colonies per one hundred (100) milliliters as a geometric mean based on no less than five (5) samples equally spaced over a thirty (30) day period.
    2. Escherichia coliform bacteria using the membrane filter count exceeds two hundred thirty-five (235) colonies per one hundred (100) milliliters in any one (1) sample in a thirty (30) day period.
    3. The water has aquatic vegetation, deposits, growths, oil, grease, chemicals, or other substances capable of creating toxic reactions, skin, or membrane irritations, or a health or safety hazard.
11. Results of each camp bathing beach water sample analysis must be reported to the department.
12. The minimum safety equipment required at all bathing beaches shall include:
    1. a rescue tube; and
    2. a ring buoy with an attached rope at least forty-five (45) feet in length.
13. Safety equipment shall be kept clean, in good repair, and ready for use.

Refuse collection and disposal - 410 IAC 6-7.1-28

Sec. 28. (a) Refuse, including garbage, shall be collected, stored, and disposed of properly so the campground is clean and litter free. Refuse shall not accumulate in a manner that could:

1. result in rodent harborage or promote insect breeding; or
2. cause a fire, safety, or health hazard.

(b) Each garbage can and dumpster in a campground shall be covered with a tight-fitting lid.

(c) Garbage and refuse collection and disposal shall occur at least once a week or more often when necessary.

(d) Community dumpsters shall be at least twenty-five (25) feet from any campsite.

Electrical distribution system - 410 IAC 6-7.1-29

Sec. 29. (a) After the effective date of this rule, all new wiring, lighting, and electrical hook-ups shall be installed in compliance with 675 IAC 17. Existing wiring, lighting, and electrical hook-ups shall be installed and maintained in a safe condition.

(b) Fifteen (15) and twenty (20) ampere, one hundred twenty-five (125) volt receptacles at sanitary facilities shall have approved ground fault circuit interrupter protection.

(c) Electrical receptacles shall have wiring and circuit breakers or fuses sized to conform to the amperage of the receptacle they supply.

(d) Switches, circuit breakers, receptacles, control equipment, and metering devices located in wet places or outside a building shall be weatherproof.

(e) Splices in electrical wires in accessible locations shall be made in approved junction boxes.

(f) When underground conductors enter or leave a building or a trench, they shall have mechanical protection from physical damage. The protection must be rigid conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, schedule 80 electrical plastic tubing, or other mechanical means. Underground conductors in conduit shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches below finished grade. Underground conductors not in conduit shall be a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches below finished grade.

(g) Electrical equipment and conductors shall not be attached to trees.

Emergency equipment and services - 410 IAC 6-7.1-30

Sec. 30. Telephone service shall be made available to all campers, and access shall be provided at all times to such service for emergency use.

Registration - 410 IAC 6-7.1-31

Sec. 31. A register containing the name and home address of the campsite occupant and the dates of arrival and departure must be maintained and available for inspection by the department or the local health officer.

Right of entry - 410 IAC 6-7.1-32

Sec. 32. The department or the local health officer may enter public or private property at reasonable times and, upon presentation of credentials, to do any of the following:

1. Inspect facilities, equipment, or records.
2. Investigate allegations, conduct tests, or collect samples.
3. Obtain information necessary to the issuance of a permit pursuant to this rule.
4. Determine whether any person is subject to, or in violation of, this rule or a permit issued pursuant to this rule.

Local authorities - 410 IAC 6-7.1-33

Sec. 33. Local health officers may enforce the rules of the department. County and municipal authorities within their respective jurisdictions have jurisdiction over zoning, building codes, and ordinances pertaining to campgrounds.

Incorporation by reference - 410 IAC 6-7.1-34

Sec. 34. Bulletin S.E. 11 and Bulletin S.E. 13 - PDF [1.1 MB] are incorporated by reference as part of this rule. Copies of these bulletins may be obtained by request to the department.

Enforcement - 410 IAC 6-7.1-35

Sec. 35. The department may commence an action under IC 16-19-3-4, IC 16-19-3-5, and IC 4-21.5-3-6, or IC 4-21.5-3-8 against a campground operator who:

1. fails to comply with this rule; or
2. interferes with or obstructs the department or its designated agent in the performance of duties pursuant to this rule.

| Top |