Starting a campground

Contact your local zoning authority to obtain tentative local approval to operate a campground at the subject property. EGLE will require tentative zoning permit approval.

• Check floodplain data and evaluate for wetlands as these may require extra consideration, permits, and setbacks.
• Check for any site contamination, nearby contamination, or potential areas of environmental concern (Ex: landfills, stamp sands, old gas stations).

The scaled construction plans must include the campground layout (roads, water/sewer utilities, sites, site numbers and site dimensions. If the total cost of the project is more than $15,000, the plans must be prepared and stamped by a Michigan-licensed engineer.

All campsites need to be minimum 1200 square feet in size, and have a minimum 15 feet of road frontage, unless designated as a walk-in site. The campground road must be at least 20 feet wide and connect to outside roads (Rules 6 and 8).

• Only certain cabins and/or camping units are allowed on licensed campsites; if you are considering providing cabins please read this guidance.
• The number of campsites dictates the number of water outlets, bath fixtures, the flow of water (gallons per minute) and wastewater capacity (gallons per day) required that need to be available.

A campground needs to be supplied with a permanent potable water source meeting Rule 9. If municipal/ city water is not available at the property, this will require a well is drilled, or an existing well converted.

• The water supply needs to meet Type II public water supply standards. Contact the local health department (LHD) for well permit and assistance with water well system.
• To meet Type II standards the wellhouse needs to include a means for emergency disinfection of the system, pump to waste piping for each well, sample taps for each well, and the water supply has to pass initial and routine water quality testing.
• You will need to work directly with your local health department on your specific drinking water supply seasonal opening and/or routine sampling requirements.

A campground needs to be supplied with a means of wastewater (sewage) disposal per Rule 11 and the type of wastewater disposal determines whether the campground is considered primitive or modern

• A primitive campground does not have water flush toilets or site sewer connections. These campgrounds typically have privies (porta potties/porta johns/outhouses). Privies need to be routinely serviced by a licensed septic hauler and a local health department permit may be required.
• A modern campground has water flush toilets and water under pressure at a service building or campsite sewer and water connections.
• If campsite sewer connections or a bathhouse is proposed, a connection to municipal sanitary sewer must be made if available. If not available, an onsite wastewater system (septic tank and drainfield) will need to be installed.

Municipal sanitary system

Check with your sewer authority to ensure you’ll be approved for a greater waste stream.

Onsite wastewater system

Apply for a site/soil evaluation by your local health department or approved soil evaluator. A soil evaluation which will help determine site suitability and/or site limitations (such as clay soil or high seasonal water table) for the future onsite sewage disposal system. Not every property is suitable for a septic tank and drain field.

• If soils are not suitable there are advanced treatment options, but this can be very expensive.
• A sanitary dump station for dumping RV waste may also be required per Rule 26.
• EGLE highly recommends that a service building or other waste stream be connected to the same onsite sewage disposal system serving the sanitary dump station in order to dilute the high strength waste found at dump stations.

EGLE does not permit electrical work. Please include information regarding working with a licensed electrician and obtaining a local electrical permit and final approval for all electrical work performed within the campground.