Health and Human Services

Population Health, Environmental Health

Rule 301: Recreational Vehicle Park Sanitation

Effective Date: 11/08/2023

Admin. Code Reference: R392-301

Rule Type: Current Rule

R392.

Health and Human Services, Population Health, Environmental Health.

R392-301. Recreational Vehicle Park Sanitation.

R392-301-1. Authority and Purpose.

(1) This rule is authorized under Sections 26B-1-202 and 26B-7-402.

(2) This rule establishes minimum standards for the sanitation, operation, and maintenance of a recreational vehicle park, as defined by this rule, and provides for the prevention and control of health hazards associated with a recreational vehicle park that are likely to affect individuals dwelling temporarily therein including risk factors contributing to injury, sickness, death, and disability.

R392-301-2. Applicability.

This rule applies to any person who owns or operates a recreational vehicle park, unless specifically exempted by this rule.

This rule applies to the repair, maintenance, use, operation, and occupancy of recreational vehicle parks designed, intended for use, or otherwise used for temporary human habitation.

R392-301-3. Definitions.

For the purposes of this rule:

(1) "ANSI A119.5" means the 2020 edition of the American National Standards Institute Park Model RV Standard, A119.5.

(2) "Building Code" means International Building Code as incorporated and amended in Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.

(3) "Dependent recreational vehicle" means a recreational vehicle that is dependent upon a service building for toilet facilities, hand washing facilities, or shower or bathing facilities, and is not designed for connection to water, sewer, or electrical utilities.

(4) "Imminent health hazard" means a significant threat or danger to health that is considered to exist when there is evidence sufficient to show that a product, practice, circumstance, or event creates a situation that can cause infection, disease transmission, vermin infestation, or hazardous condition that requires immediate correction or cessation of operation to prevent injury, illness, or death.

(5) "Independent recreational vehicle" means a recreational vehicle equipped with electrical appliances, a water-flush toilet, and a sink and bath or shower that may require connection to outside electrical, water, and sewer utilities to be functional.

(6) "Local health officer" means the health officer of the local health department having jurisdiction, or a designated representative.

(7) "NFPA 1192" means the 2021 edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard on Recreational Vehicles, 1192.

(8) "Operator" means a person responsible for managing or operating a recreational vehicle park.

(9) "Plumbing Code" means International Plumbing Code as incorporated and amended in Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.

(10) "Recreational vehicle" means a vehicular unit, other than a mobile home or tiny house, designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation use, that is either driven or is mounted on or pulled by another vehicle, including a travel trailer, camp trailer, fifth-wheel trailer, folding tent trailer, truck camper, or motorhome.

(11) "Recreational vehicle park" means any site, tract or parcel of land that has been developed to provide temporary living quarters for two or more recreational vehicles, including any recreational vehicle park developed or owned by a private, public or non-profit organization catering to the public or restricted to the organizational or institutional members and their guests.

(12) "Sanitary dump station" means a facility designed:

(a) in accordance with requirements set by Plumbing Code and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality;

(b) to receive the discharge of wastewater from any holding tank or similar device installed in any recreational vehicle; and

(13) "Service building" means a structure within a recreational vehicle park that contains a toilet, hand sink, and bathing facilities. It may also include laundry facilities, a vending area, or other service type facilities for recreational vehicle park occupant use.

(14) "Tiny house" means a dwelling that is 400 square feet or less in floor area, constructed on a chassis with wheels. A tiny house is not a park model recreational vehicle as defined in Section 41-1a-101 or any other recreational vehicle type as defined in this rule.

(15) "Wastewater" means discharges from any plumbing facility, including restrooms, kitchen, and laundry fixtures either separately or in combination.

R392-301-4. General.

(1) Except as in Subsection (2), this rule does not require a construction change in any portion of a recreational vehicle park if the park was in compliance with the law in effect when the park was constructed.

(2) The local health officer may require construction changes if it is determined the recreational vehicle park or portion thereof contains an imminent health hazard.

(3) The operator shall ensure any recreational vehicle park meets the requirements of this rule.

(4) The operator shall comply with applicable building, zoning, electrical, health, fire codes, and any local ordinances.

(5) The operator shall provide the local health officer with contact information for a park representative who can be available to communicate with the local health officer during days and times that the recreational vehicle park is occupied in the event of an imminent health hazard or emergency.

(6) A recreational vehicle park operator or agent shall select or construct a location for the facility that will provide adequate surface drainage.

The operator shall make a reasonable effort to locate the facility away from any known existing public health nuisance.

(7) When an operator accommodates dependent recreational vehicles or tents, the operator shall construct and maintain a service building according to the requirements of Section R392-301-7.

(8) A recreational vehicle or a tiny house may be allowed in a recreational vehicle park only if:

(a) a data plate or permanent label is attached to the unit that includes:

(i) name of the manufacturer;

(ii) serial number or vehicle identification number of the unit;

(iii) date of manufacture; and

(iv) a statement that the unit is designed and manufactured to NFPA 1192 or ANSI A119.5 standards; and

(b) it has been certified by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association or inspected by a qualified third-party inspection company and certified to be in compliance with the standards in NFPA 1192 or ANSI A119.5.

(9) An electrical installation in a recreational vehicle park shall comply with Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act.

R392-301-5. Water Supply.

(1) Potable water supply systems for use by recreational vehicle park occupants shall be designed, installed, and operated according to the requirements set forth by:

(a) Plumbing Code;

(b) The Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Drinking Water under Title R309, Environmental Quality, Drinking Water; and

(2)(a)

Except as in Subsection (2)(b), the operator shall provide potable water to each site designed and intended for recreational vehicle use.

(b) The local health officer may approve an alternate design if a service building is provided as in Subsection R392-301-4(7).

(3) Where individual water connections are not provided to sites, common-use water faucets shall:

(a) be accessible to recreational vehicle park occupants, and located not more than 300 feet from any site;

(b) not be equipped with or use a threaded spigot; and

(c) be designed to promote surface drainage by using a constructed drain system such as a gravel pit, subsurface drywell, French drain, or seepage trench.

(4) The operator shall prevent water in each area around a common-use faucet from flowing into traffic areas and surface waters, or from pooling, standing, or becoming stagnant.

(5) The operator shall protect water systems against the hazards of cross-connection, backflow, and interior surface contamination of attached hoses.

(6) In any recreational vehicle park or portion thereof where it is not feasible to pipe potable water into the area, an alternate supply of potable water may be permitted upon approval of the local health officer.

R392-301-6. Wastewater.

(1) Wastewater shall be discharged to a public sanitary sewer system when practicable.

(a) Sewer systems for use by recreational vehicle park occupants shall be designed, installed, and operated according to the requirements set forth by:

(i) Plumbing Code;

(ii) The Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality under Title R317, Environmental Quality, Water Quality;

(iii) local health department regulations; and

(iv) the local sewer district having jurisdiction.

(b) Where connection to a public sewer is not available, wastewater shall be discharged into an approved wastewater disposal system meeting the requirements of Title R317, Environmental Quality, Water Quality, and local health department regulations.

(c) The operator shall submit required plans for the construction or alteration of a wastewater disposal system in accordance with Title R317, Environmental Quality, Water Quality, before commencing construction or alteration.

(2) Except as in Subsection (3), and unless each site is connected to an approved sewer system, the operator shall provide a sanitary dump station that includes the following:

(a) Easy ingress and egress from a service road for recreational vehicles and located not less than 50 feet from any site;

(b) The sewage inlet surrounded by a curbed concrete apron or trough of at least three feet by three feet, sloped to the inlet, and provided with a suitable hinged cover milled to fit tight;

(c) A means for flushing with pressurized water the immediate area and each recreational vehicle wastewater holding tank.

(3) The local health officer may approve alternate designs for a sanitary dump station.

(4) If the operator makes sewer service available to each designated site designed and intended to accommodate independent recreational vehicles, the operator shall design, install, operate, and maintain individual connections to the sewer system according to the requirements set by:

(a) Plumbing Code;

(b) the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality;

(d) local sewer district having jurisdiction.

(5) If the operator makes sewer service available to an individual site, that sewer connection is not subject to the requirements of Subsection (2).

(6) The operator shall provide tight-fitting covers for each sewer riser.

(7) A trap is prohibited between the sewer riser and sewer lateral.

(8) The connection and connecting line between the recreational vehicle drain outlet and the sewer riser shall be watertight and self-draining.

(9) The rim of the sewer riser shall extend not more than 4 inches above adjacent ground surface elevations. Surface drainage shall be directed away from the sewer riser.

(10) The operator shall prohibit dependent recreational vehicles and tents in a recreational vehicle park unless means are provided and approved by the local health officer to collect, contain, and properly dispose of dishwashing, bathing, or other liquid waste material.

(11) If the operator provides laundering facilities, the equipment shall discharge wastewater as required in this rule.

R392-301-7. Service Building.

(1) Each structure used in a recreational vehicle park shall be of permanent construction and meet the requirements of the Building Code.

(2) Each recreational vehicle park that has a site set aside for dependent recreational vehicles or tents, as in Subsection R392-301-4(7), shall be provided with at least one service building for the use of park occupants.

(3)(a)

Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), separate toilet rooms within the service building shall be provided for each gender.

Toilet rooms shall be distinctly marked for each gender using signs printed in English or marked with easily understood pictures or symbols.

(b) If a toilet room will be occupied by no more than one person at a time, can be locked from the inside, and contains at least one toilet, separate toilet rooms do not need to be provided for each gender.

(4) Each service building shall:

(a) have one toilet, one hand sink, and one bath fixture for each sex for each 15 sites set aside in Subsection R392-301-4(7), or fraction thereof;

(b) be located not less than 15 feet and not more than 500 feet from any site designated for dependent recreational vehicles;

(d) be properly maintained in a clean and sanitary condition; and

(e) be constructed of smooth, moisture resistant finish materials to withstand frequent washing and cleaning.

(5) Clean individual disposable towels shall be provided near each handwashing sink. Alternate hand drying methods approved by the local health officer may be substituted for individual disposable towels.

(6) The operator shall provide soap and waste receptacles with lids in each service building.

(7) For each toilet room within a service building, the operator shall provide toilet tissue in suitable dispensers; and:

(a) at least one solid, easily cleanable, covered waste receptacle for the collection of solid waste; or

(b) at least one solid, easily cleanable, uncovered waste receptacle and a sanitary napkin receptacle.

R392-301-8. Operation and Maintenance.

(1) The operator shall maintain each building, room, and piece of equipment, including furnishings and equipment in recreational vehicle park areas, and the grounds surrounding them, in a clean and operable condition, free of litter and debris.

(2) Where electric power is available, each service building shall be equipped with outside lighting to show the location and entrance doorways.

(3) Where necessary, reasonable means shall be employed to eliminate or control infestations of vermin, vectors, or pests within a recreational vehicle park, including the use of approved screening or other approved control of outside openings in structures intended for occupancy.

(4) The operator shall maintain interior roads and parking areas in a manner that prevents harborage for vermin.

R392-301-9. Food Service.

If food service is provided for recreational vehicle park occupants, food service, storage, and preparation shall comply with the FDA Model Food Code as incorporated and amended in Rule R392-100, Food Service Sanitation, and local health department regulations.

R392-301-10. Solid Wastes.

(1) The operator shall provide adequate containers to prevent the accumulation of solid waste in the recreational vehicle park.

(2) Solid waste generated at a recreational vehicle park or picnic area shall be:

(a) stored in a leak-proof, non-absorbent container; and

(b) kept covered with a tight-fitting lid.

(3) Solid waste shall be disposed with sufficient frequency and in such a manner as to prevent insect breeding, rodent harborage, or a public health nuisance.

R392-301-11. Swimming Pools.

The operator shall comply with Rule R392-302, Design, Construction, and Operation of Public Pools as well as other local health department regulations for each pool or spa made available to recreational vehicle park occupants or staff.

R392-301-12. Inspections and Investigations.

(1) Upon presenting proper identification, the operator shall permit the local health officer to enter upon the premises of a recreational vehicle park to perform inspections, investigations, reviews, and other actions as necessary to ensure compliance with this rule.

(2) The local health officer may not enter an occupied recreational vehicle without the express permission of the occupant except:

(a) when a warrant is issued to an authorized public safety officer that authorizes the local health officer to enter; or

(b) when the operator and the local health officer determine that there exists an imminent risk to the life, health, or safety of the occupant.

R392-301-13. Closing or Restricting Use of Recreational Vehicle Parks or Sites.

(1) If a local health officer deems a recreational vehicle park, site, space, or portion thereof to be an imminent health hazard, the park, site, or space may be closed, or its use may be restricted, as determined by the local health officer.

(2) The operator shall restrict public access to the impacted area of any recreational vehicle park, site, or space closed or restricted to use by the local health officer within a reasonable time as ordered by the local health officer.

(3) The operator may not allow the public to utilize any recreational vehicle park, unit, space, or portion thereof that has been deemed unfit for use until written approval from the local health officer is given.

R392-301-14. Severability.

If a provision of this rule, or its application to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, and the remainder of this rule shall be given effect without the invalidated provision or application.

KEY:

public health, recreation areas, RV parks, recreational vehicles

Date of Last Change:

November 8, 2023

Notice of Continuation: October 21, 2021

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-1-202; 26B-7-402