Developers will no longer be able to establish recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds in certain rural areas of Bonner County in Idaho following a vote by the Board of County Commissioners on July 23.
The decision amends the Bonner County Revised Code, Title 12, eliminating RV parks and campgrounds as a conditional use in Rural Agricultural/Forestry and Rural Service Center zoning districts.
The vote, which passed 2-1, concluded a four-month amendment process led by the county’s planning department. The process included multiple public hearings held to implement a directive from the commissioners aimed at preserving the rural character of these zones.
According to an article published by Bonner County Daily Bee on July 29, Commissioners Asia Williams and Brian Domke voted in favor of the amendment, citing the incompatibility of high-density developments such as RV parks with the intent of rural zoning.
Williams said the change aligned with community input and public safety concerns raised during the hearing process.
Concerns from the Spirit Lake Fire District were a key factor in the decision. The district warned that RV parks and campgrounds present fire safety challenges in areas with limited firefighting resources.
“With limited resources in our county, RV parks/campgrounds pose a tactical challenge and requires fire districts to be more attentive to fire prevention features, conditions and designs,” the agency states.
The fire district also noted the unique risks posed by RV parks, saying, “RVs burn more rapidly than structures and spread to other neighboring RVs rapidly.”
Commissioners further suggested that RV parks would be better suited for incorporated cities where infrastructure and emergency response capabilities are more robust.
Commissioner Ron Korn, who voted against the amendment, also voiced partial agreement with his colleagues but raised concerns about eliminating all rural areas as potential sites.
He argued that locations along state highways, although zoned rural, could appropriately accommodate RV parks serving transient travelers.
“I do agree that these types of facilities should not be in Ag Forest area. I also believe that they should not be in rural zones,” said Korn. “My argument back then, and still is, that there are rural zones along state corridors that would be a place where I think a campground or RV park would be a good fit for people traveling.”
Public input at the July hearing largely supported the amendment, with at least 10 community members voicing support. Many cited concerns about preserving rural character, as well as health and safety issues tied to increased density and limited resources.