CAMPING UNITS
Subchapter I — Administration and Enforcement
SPS 327.01 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish uniform statewide construction standards and inspection procedures for camping units in accordance with the requirements of ss. 101.63 (1), 101.82 (1), and 145.02 (2) (b), Stats.
SPS 327.02 Scope. (1) General. The provisions of this code apply to all camping units built on or after the effective date of this section.
(2) Municipal ordinances.
(a) A municipality may not adopt an ordinance on any subject falling within the scope of this code including establishing restrictions on the occupancy of camping units for any reason other than noncompliance with the provisions of this code as set forth in s. SPS 327.11 (5). This code does not apply to occupancy requirements occurring after the first occupancy following the final inspection required under s. SPS 327.11 (4).
(b) This code shall not be construed to affect local requirements relating to land use, zoning, post-construction storm water management, fire districts, side, front and rear setback requirements, property line requirements or other similar requirements. This code shall not affect the right of municipalities to establish safety regulations for the protection of the public from hazards at the job site.
(c) Any municipality may, by ordinance, require permits and fees for any construction, additions, alterations or repairs not within the scope of this code.
(d) Any municipality may, by ordinance, adopt the provisions of this chapter to apply to any additions or alterations to existing camping units.
(e) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a municipality from any of the following:
1. Implementing erosion and sediment control requirements that are more stringent than the standards of this code when directed by an order of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or by an administrative rule of the department of natural resources under s. NR 151.004.
2. Regulating erosion and sediment control for sites that are not under the scope of this chapter.
(f) This code shall not be construed to affect the authority of the department of natural resources to enforce chapters 281 and 283, Stats., and administrative rules promulgated there under.
(3) Legal responsibility. The department or the municipality having jurisdiction shall not assume legal responsibility for the design or construction of camping units.
(4) Retroactivity. The provisions of this code are not retroactive, except as specifically stated in a rule.
(5) Landscaping. The scope of this code does not extend to driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, and other similar features not having an impact on the camping unit structure.
SPS 327.03 Effective date. This chapter shall take effect upon publication in the official state newspaper, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (c), Stats. SPS 327.04 Applications.
(1) New camping units.
(a) This code applies to all camping units for which construction commenced on or after the effective date of this code.
(b) All camping units covered under par. (a) shall meet the requirements of this chapter.
(c) If a plumbing, electrical, heating, or air conditioning system is installed, the system shall meet the requirements of this chapter.
(2) Additions and alterations. Additions and alterations to camping units covered by this code shall comply with all provisions of this code at the time of permit application or the beginning of the project, if no permit is required.
(3) Change of use. Property previously used for another purpose shall comply with this code upon conversion to a camping unit.
Note: Examples of property that may be converted to a camping unit include a cabin, covered wagon, or gazebo.
SPS 327.05 Exemptions.
(1) Existing camping units. The provisions of this code shall not apply to camping units, the construction of which was commenced prior to the effective date of this code, or to additions or alterations to such camping units.
Note: The provisions of this chapter may be adopted by a municipality to apply to any additions or alterations to existing camping units.
(2) Repairs. The provisions of this code do not apply to repairs or maintenance to camping units, or to the repair of electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other systems installed therein.
(3) Accessory buildings. The provisions of this code do not apply to detached garages or to any accessory buildings detached from the camping unit.
(4) Detached decks. The provisions of this code do not apply to detached decks provided the deck does not serve an exit from the camping unit.
(5) Manufactured and modular homes. The provisions of this code do not apply to manufactured homes and modular homes.
(6) Motor homes and recreational vehicles. The provisions of this code do not apply to motor homes, and recreational vehicles, park model recreational vehicles, and recreational mobile homes.
SPS 327.06 Procedure for municipalities.
(1) Municipal jurisdiction.
(a) General. 1. Except as provided in par. (b), cities, villages, towns, and counties approved by the department under ch. SPS 320.06 to exercise jurisdiction over the construction and inspection of new dwellings shall exercise jurisdiction over the construction and inspection of new camping units. 2. Municipalities exercising jurisdiction under subd. 1. shall, by ordinance, adopt this code in its entirety.
3. No additional requirements within the scope of this code may be adopted by a municipality unless approved by the department in accordance with s. SPS 327.17.
(b) Intent to not exercise jurisdiction. Municipalities intending not to exercise jurisdiction over the construction and inspection of new camping units shall notify the department, in writing, within 90 days of the effective date of this code.
(c) Recision of ordinances. Municipalities that rescind an ordinance under par. (a) shall file a certified copy of the recision with the department within 30 days of adoption.
Note: Notification of intent to not exercise jurisdiction and certified copies of recisions of ordinances should be sent to Department of Safety and Professional Services, Industry Services Division, PO Box 2658, Madison, WI 53701-2658.
(2) Departmental jurisdiction. In municipalities not exercising jurisdiction under sub. (1), the department will oversee enforcement and inspection services for new camping units.
SPS 327.07 State jurisdiction. In accordance with s. 101.64 (8), Stats., municipalities administering the code may be monitored by the department for compliance with the administrative requirements under this code.
SPS 327.08 Definitions. In this chapter:
(1) "Accessory building" means a detached building, not used as a camping unit but is incidental to that of the camping unit and which is located on the same lot. Accessory building does not mean farm building.
(2) "Addition" means new construction performed on a camping unit which increases the outside dimensions of the camping unit.
(3) "Allowable stress" means the specified maximum permissible stress of a material expressed in load per unit area.
(4) "Alteration" means an enhancement, upgrading, or substantial change or modification other than an addition or repair to a camping unit or to electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other systems within a camping unit.
(5) "Approved" means an approval by the department or its authorized representative. (Approval is not to be construed as an assumption of any legal responsibility for the design or construction of the camping unit.)
(6) "Building component" means any subsystem, subassembly, or other system designed for use in or as part of a structure, which may include structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection systems and other systems affecting health and safety.
(7) "Building system" means plans, specifications and documentation for a system of manufactured building or for a type or a system of building components, which may include structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and variations which are submitted as part of the building system.
(8) “Campground” has the meaning given in ch. DHS 178.03 (3). Note: DHS 178.03 (3) reads: “Campground” means a parcel or tract of land owned by a person, state, or local government that is designed, maintained, intended, or used for the purpose of providing campsites offered with or without charge, for temporary overnight sleeping accommodations.
(9) “Camping unit” means a framed structure or a tent, teepee, yurt, or other structure with fabric roof or walls that is 400 square feet or less in area, which is used for seasonal overnight camping in a campground.
(10) "Camping unit transfer tank" or “transfer tank” means a type of portable container used to collect and hold wastewater discharges generated by an individual camping unit.
(11) "Ceiling height" means the clear vertical distance from the finished floor to the finished ceiling.
(12) "Certified UDC inspector" means a person certified by the department to engage in the administration and enforcement of this code.
(13) A "chimney" is one or more vertical, or nearly so, passageways or flues for the purpose of conveying flue gases to the atmosphere.
(14) "Code" means this chapter.
(15) "Common area" means a kitchen, hallway, or any habitable room.
(16) "Cooling load" is the rate at which heat must be removed from the space to maintain a selected indoor air temperature during periods of design outdoor weather conditions.
(17) "Deck" means an unenclosed exterior structure, attached or adjacent to the exterior wall of a camping unit, which has a floor, but no roof.
(18) "Department" means the department of safety and professional services.
(19) "Dilution air" means air that is provided for the purpose of mixing with flue gases in a draft hood or draft regulator.
(20) "Direct-vent appliance" means a gas-burning appliance that is constructed and installed so that all air for combustion is derived directly from the outside atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside atmosphere.
(21) "Exit" means a direct, continuous, unobstructed means of egress from inside the camping unit to the exterior of the camping unit.
(22) "Fireblocking" means a material or device used to retard or prevent the spread of flame or hot gases through concealed spaces into adjacent rooms or areas.
(23) "First floor" means the first floor level above any groundfloor or basement or, in the absence of a groundfloor or basement, means the lowest floor level in the camping unit.
(24) "Flight" means a continuous series of risers and treads, with no intermediate landings.
(25) "Gas appliance" means any device that uses gas as a fuel or raw material to produce light, heat, power, refrigeration, or air conditioning.
(26) "Groundfloor" means that level of a camping unit, below the first floor, located on a site with a sloping or multilevel grade and which has a portion of its floor line at grade.
(27) "Guard" means a barrier erected to prevent a person from falling to a lower level.
(28) "Habitable room" means any room used for sleeping, living, or dining purposes, excluding such enclosed places as kitchens, closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, hallways, laundries, storage spaces, utility rooms, and similar spaces.
(29) "Handrail" means a horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by a hand, for guidance or support or preventing a fall down a stair.
(30) "Heating load" is the estimated heat loss of each room or space to be heated, based on maintaining a selected indoor air temperature during periods of design outdoor weather conditions. The total heat load includes: the transmission losses of heat transmitted through the wall, floor, ceiling, glass or other surfaces; and either the infiltration losses or heat required to warm outdoor air used for ventilation.
(31) “HVAC” means heating, ventilating and air conditioning.
(32) “HVAC system” means the equipment, distribution network, and terminals that provide either collectively or individually the processes of heating, ventilating, or air conditioning to a building.
(33) "Insignia" or "Wisconsin insignia" means a device or seal approved by the department to certify compliance with this code.
(34) "Kitchen" means an area used, or designed to be used, for the preparation of food.
(35) "Land disturbing construction activity" means any man-made alteration of the land surface resulting in a change in the topography or existing vegetative or non-vegetative soil cover, that may result in storm water runoff and lead to an increase in soil erosion and movement of sediment.
(36) "Listed and listing" means equipment or building components which are tested by an independent testing agency and accepted by the department.
(37) "Loft" means an upper room or floor with one side that has at least 50% of the space from the floor to the ceiling open to the floor below.
(38) “Manufactured home” has the meaning given in s. 101.91 (2), Stats. (39) "Mechanical draft system" means a venting system for a gas burning appliance that is designed to remove flue or vent gases by mechanical means, such as a fan, which may consist of an induced draft portion under non-positive static pressure or a forced draft portion under positive static pressure.
