The Sawyer County Zoning Committee voted unanimously to recommend a 30% cap on the total number of park-model trailers and camping cabins in licensed campgrounds, advancing the proposed change—Option F in Appendix D of the county code—to the county board for final approval.
The decision followed a public hearing where town officials, campground operators, and residents debated how to balance campground growth with zoning and environmental safeguards. Opinions varied on how much flexibility campground owners should have as the industry continues to evolve.
According to an article published by Citizen Portal, committee staff reported that most towns responding to a recent poll favored a 30% limit, while a few preferred higher allowances.
Round Lake’s planning commission did not reach a consensus. Those supporting the limit cited protection of sensitive shoreland areas and the need to manage septic and runoff impacts.
Resident and landowner Jenny Chaback urged the committee to follow the preferences expressed by local towns and treat camping cabins as dwellings, noting that many are equipped with utilities and placed on permanent slabs.
Edgewater property owner Linda Zilmer supported further protections for shoreland areas, stressing the need to address impervious surfaces and septic capacity before expanding campground uses.
Representing campground interests, Don Robinson, owner of Lake Chipway Campground with four decades in the business, noted that the camping landscape has evolved significantly, saying operators increasingly depend on modern campsite offerings to stay competitive and sustain their operations.
County legal counsel Rebecca Roper also clarified that no state law sets a percentage limit for park models or camping cabins.
If adopted, Sawyer County would be implementing its own local rule. Roper recommended defining key terms in the ordinance to avoid confusion and ensure consistent enforcement.
Planning staff noted that because earlier versions of the ordinance did not include the 30% language, determining which existing campgrounds fall under the new restriction will require individual review. Some may be considered nonconforming based on previous approvals.
The motion to send Option F to the county board—with the 30% limit included—was introduced by Dale Magnuson and seconded by Tweed Schumann. The committee approved the motion unanimously.
Members also asked that the final draft be circulated to local towns before the board’s vote. They discussed developing a separate ordinance for off-water developments, such as park-model or tiny-house-style parks, in the future.
County staff said that even with the proposed cap, campground permits will still undergo review for septic, impervious-surface, and shoreland compliance. Those standards will remain in effect under county zoning.