RV parks seek exemption from health requirement

KINGMAN — Officials with an area RV park are claiming it may have to be shut down because of change in a county code requiring health inspections at RV parks and campgrounds that rent space for less than 30 days.

During Monday’s Mohave County Board of Supervisors meeting, Robert Tucker said Sandpoint Marina and RV Park is facing a significant revenue shortfall because of the new rules.

“The way the ordinance is currently written, our accountants estimate we will lose $307,000 to $386,000 annually,” Tucker said. “We just can’t experience a $400,000 loss. If it doesn’t change, Sandpoint will go out of business. We will have to close the doors.

Tucker is vice president of operations for Sandpoint.

The county code, that went into effect in November, requires owners of transient accommodations must submit to Environmental Health Department inspections of the plumbing, toilet sewer and/or septic systems, as well as any areas used for food preparation, the potable water system, handling of trash and sleeping areas.

Transient accommodations, according to Environmental Health’s Rachael Patterson, are any living facility rented out for 30 days or less.

“What Sandpoint and a few other RV parks are doing is renting an RV nightly. It’s a transient dwelling establishment. It’s more like a hotel,” Patterson said.

Some RV parks and campgrounds have established permanent RVs or casitas that can be rented out on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Out of 173 spaces for RVs at Sandpoint, 32 have been filled permanently by RVs that can be rented, Tucker told the board.

“That additional revenue is significant to our operations,” he said.

Under the code, an inspection is not required when a living accommodation is rented for more than 30 days. Lake Havasu City attorney Harvey Jackson, representing Sandpoint, asked the board to exempt RV parks and campgrounds from the 30-day minimum set forward in the code.

The board opted to delay any action on the item for 30 days.

“I don’t have enough information to make a decision today,” said Supervisor Pete Byers, R-Dist. 1. “I want to go out and take a look at some of these parks and campgrounds.”

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.

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