ES-2025-003 BOS STAFF REPORT.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2025-08-01)

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Report to the Board of Supervisors 
Prepared by the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department 
Board of Health (BOH) 
Meeting Date: 
July 28, 2025 
Board of Supervisors 
Hearing Date: 
September 10, 2025 
Case #/Title:  
ES-2025-03/Campgrounds 
Supervisor Districts: 
All Districts 
Applicant: 
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (Department) 
Request: 
Approve proposed revision to Maricopa County Environmental 
Health Code (MCEHC), Chapter XII.  
Support/Opposition: 
A stakeholder workshop was held on May 22, 2025, and May 30, 2025. 
No other comments, questions, or concerns were received about this 
case.   
Department 
Recommendation: 
The Department recommends that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) 
approve the proposed MCEHC revision.  
BOH  
Recommendation: 
The Board of Health (BOH) voted unanimously to approve the 
Department’s proposed revision and proceed according to the EROP 
expedited process.  
Executive Summary: 
This case aligns the MCEHC requirements for campgrounds with the 
Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.). This alignment will remove more 
restrictive requirements in MCEHC and provide clearer definitions for 
“campgrounds” and “campsites.” The added regulatory clarity will help 
customers and the Department.   
In accordance with the Maricopa County Resolution, “Moratorium on 
Increased Regulatory Burdens,” the County Manager authorized the 
Department to proceed with this case on April 1, 2025, and the 
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (BOS) were briefed on April 30, 
2025. 
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The Department conducted a stakeholder workshop on March 22, 2025 
and May 30, 2025. On July 28, 2025, the Department presented a Staff 
Report for this case to the Board of Health (BOH), at which time the 
BOH approved this case to proceed on the EROP expedited process for 
the BOS to adopt this proposed Department revision. 
Presented by: 
Andy Linton, Director 
Attachments: 
Report to the BOH - (2 Pages) 
County Manager Memo – (1 Page) 
Proposed MCEHC Revisions – (4 Pages) 
Presentation – Stakeholder Meeting (5/22/25 and 5/30/25) - (3 Pages) 
Stakeholder Meeting Minutes (5/22/25) – (1 Page) 
Stakeholder Meeting Minutes (5/30/25) – (1 Page) 
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Environmental Services Department 
301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170  
Phoenix, Arizona 85003 
P: 602.506.6616 
Maricopa.gov/Enviro 
Report to the Board of Health 
To Approve for Expedited Process
Prepared by the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department
Case #/Title:  
ES-2025-003/Campgrounds 
Meeting Date: 
July 28, 2025  
Supervisor Districts: 
All Districts 
Applicant: 
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (Department) 
Request: 
Approve proposed Maricopa County Environmental Health Code (MCEHC) 
ES-2025-003/Campgrounds to advance on the Enhanced Regulatory 
Outreach Program (EROP) expedite process.   
Support/Opposition: 
The Department held a stakeholder public meeting on May 22, 2025. No 
stakeholders attended the meeting. A follow-up stakeholder meeting was held 
by special request of the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department. 
Three stakeholders were present, and there were no comments or questions.  
No other comments, questions, or concerns were received about this case.   
Department 
Recommendation: 
Discussion: 
The department recommends that the Board of Health approve the 
Department to move forward with the proposed changes to the Campgrounds 
section of the MCEHC for consideration by the Board of Supervisors.  
Inspection and regulation of campgrounds are delegated to the Maricopa 
County Environmental Services Department (Department) by the Arizona 
Department of Health Services (ADHS). This regulatory oversight protects 
public health by ensuring the water supplied is safe and protected, sewage 
is disposed of properly, and the grounds are free from public health 
nuisances. The Department proposes aligning MCEHC requirements for 
campgrounds with the Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.). This alignment 
will remove more restrictive requirements in MCEHC and provide clearer 
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Environmental Services Department 
301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170  
Phoenix, Arizona 85003 
P: 602.506.6616 
Maricopa.gov/Enviro 
definitions for “campgrounds” and “campsites.” The added regulatory clarity 
will help customers and the Department. 
This proposal follows the EROP policy and workflow process; no fee 
changes are requested. 
In accordance with the Maricopa County Resolution, “Moratorium on 
Increased Regulatory Burdens,” the County Manager authorized the 
Department to proceed with this case in April 2025.  Also, the Board of 
Supervisors were briefed in April 2025. 
Attachments: 
County Manager Case Approval (1 Page) 
Proposed MCEHC Revisions (4 Pages) 
Presentation – Stakeholder Meeting (5/22/25 and 5/30/25) – (3 Pages) 
Stakeholder Meeting Minutes (5/22/25) – (1 Page)
Stakeholder Meeting Minutes (5/30/25) – (1 Page)
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R-1-6-1986   
  
  
 
MARICOPA COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CODE 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
CAMP GROUNDS 
  
  
REGULATION 1. Scope Adoption of Campgrounds Code 
 
Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 6, Sections 601 through 617 of the Arizona Administrative Code 
(“A.A.C.”), including all revisions, technical corrections, and supplements published as of March 
31, 2024 are hereby adopted as, the Campgrounds Code of Maricopa County; for regulating the 
design, construction, management, and operation of  Campgrounds and the issuance of permits, 
subject to the insertions and changes set forth in Regulation 2 below. Copies of the above-described 
A.A.C. rules, adopted by reference herein, are available from the Arizona Secretary of State. 
  
a. 
The regulations in this Chapter shall apply to any city, county, city-county, county-
state, village, community, institution, person, firm or corporation operating, 
maintaining or offering for public use with Maricopa County any tract of land on 
which persons may camp or picnic either free of charge or by payment of a fee.  
Each and every owner and lessee of any public camp or picnic ground shall be held 
responsible for full compliance with these regulations.  
  
b. 
Primitive camp and picnic grounds offered by this state or a political subdivision of 
this state are exempt from Regulation 3, a., Regulation 5, a. and c., and Regulation 
6 of this Chapter.  For purposes of this Chapter, “primitive camp and picnic 
grounds” means camp and picnic grounds that are remote in nature and without 
accessibility to public infrastructure such as water, electricity and sewer.  
  
REGULATION 2. Supervision Permit Required 
 
No person shall operate a Campground without a valid permit to do so from the Department or 
otherwise than in compliance with this code and any other applicable State or County regulation. 
  
a. 
The management of every public camp or picnic ground shall assume responsibility for 
maintaining in good repair all sanitary appliances on said ground and shall promptly bring 
such action as may be necessary to prosecute or eject from such ground any person who 
willfully or maliciously damages such appliances or any person who in any way fails to 
comply with these regulations.  
  
b. 
At least one caretaker shall be employed by the management to visit said camp or picnic 
ground every day that campers or picnickers occupy said ground.  Such caretaker shall do 
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R-1-6-1986   
whatever may be necessary to keep said ground and its equipment in a clean and sanitary 
condition.  
  
c. 
Each camping party shall be allotted usable space of not less than 350 square feet.  
  
  
REGULATION 3. Water Supply Plan Required 
  
 
A. 
The water supply system shall be in accordance with Chapter V of this Code and shall be 
provided in ample quantity to meet all requirements of the maximum number of persons 
using such ground at any time.  Said water supply shall be easily obtained from its source 
or on a pipe distribution system, from faucets which shall be located not more than 300 
feet from a camp or picnic spot within such ground.  If water supply is obtained direct from 
above ground source, said source must be covered properly and water withdrawn by means 
of open pipe or faucet as approved by the Department.  In no case can dipping from open 
springs, seeps or wells be permitted. No person may begin construction of, maintain, or 
operate a Campground until plans and specifications showing compliance with these 
Regulations have been submitted to and approved by the Department.  Plans for the water 
supply and wastewater system shall be prepared by or under the supervision of a currently 
registered Arizona Professional Engineer.  The engineer shall affix his signature and 
Arizona seal of registration to all water and wastewater plans submitted for approval, and 
shall certify in writing that the plan documents comply with these Regulations.  
  
B. 
Any water considered unsafe for human consumption in the vicinity of such ground, to 
which campers or picnickers may have access, shall be either eliminated or purified, or 
shall be kept posted with placards definitely warning persons against its use.  Plans and 
specifications should include:  
 
1. A park plan drawn to scale showing all building locations, Campground spaces, water 
and sewer infrastructure, and refuse locations.  
 
2. Narrative that includes information about the following: 
 
a. Water supply. 
b. Sewage systems and disposal.  
c. Refuse disposal. 
d. Number of employees 
e. Number of tent Camping spaces. 
f. Number of recreational vehicle spaces. 
g. Number of spaces with water and sewer hookup. 
h. Months of operation.  
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R-1-6-1986   
i. Maximum allowable days of stay for a camping and recreational vehicle space.  
j. Site supervision for maintaining the facilities.  
k. Number of male and female toilet facilities.  
 
  
REGULATION 4.  Protection Against Fires General 
  
 No fires shall at any time be so located as to endanger automobiles or other property in the camp 
ground.  No fires shall be left unattended at any time, and all fires shall be completely extinguished 
before leaving.  
A. 
No change or modification of water supply or sewage disposal facilities in any existing 
Campgrounds shall be made until plans and specifications have been submitted to and 
approved by the Department.  
 
B. 
The applicant must be in compliance with all other Regulations and requirements, including 
the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department’s zoning approval and 
entitlement for unincorporated Maricopa County.  
  
REGULATION 5.  
Sewage and Refuse Disposal  
  
a. 
Supervision and equipment: Supervision and equipment sufficient to prevent littering of 
the ground with rubbish, garbage or other refuse shall be provided and maintained.  Fly 
tight depositories for such materials shall be provided and conspicuously located.  Each 
and every camp or picnic spot on said ground shall be within a distance of not over 200 
feet from such a depository. These depositories shall not be permitted to become foul 
smelling or unsightly or breeding places for flies.  
  
b. 
The method of final sewage or refuse disposal utilized in connection with the operation of 
any camp or picnic ground shall be such as to create no nuisance.  
  
c. 
Basins: A sufficient number of basins, iron hoppers or sinks shall be provided and each 
shall be collected with a sewerage system; these are to be used for the disposal of domestic 
waste waters.  
  
REGULATION 6.  Toilets  
  
 Fly tight privies or water-flushed toilets shall be provided and shall be maintained in a clean and 
sanitary condition.  Separate toilets for men and women shall be provided, one for each 25 men, 
and one for each 25 women, or fraction thereof, of the maximum number of persons occupying 
such ground at any time.  No camp or picnic spot within such ground shall be at a greater distance 
than 400 feet from both a women's and men's toilet.  The location of all toilets shall be plainly 
indicated by signs.  
  
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R-1-6-1986   
REGULATION 7.  
Permit Required  
  
  
No campground shall be operated or maintained in Maricopa County without a permit in 
force by the Department.  
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ES-2025-003
Campgrounds
Stakeholder
Workshop
Environmental Services 
Department’s Mission
To provide safe food, water, waste disposal and vector borne disease 
reduction controls to the people of Maricopa County so that they may 
enjoy living in a healthy and safe community.
Agenda
• Background
• Purpose of Proposed Code Change
• Proposed Revisions to Code
• Next Steps and Enhanced Regulatory Outreach Program (EROP)
Information
• Stakeholder Questions 
Background
Campgrounds in Maricopa County 
Inspection and regulation of campgrounds are delegated to 
the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department 
(Department) by the Arizona Department of Health Services 
(ADHS) to ensure all water supply provided is safe, all 
sewage and human excreta is disposed of properly, and the 
grounds are free from public health nuisances.  
Purpose of Proposed Code Change
Campgrounds in Maricopa County 
If approved, the changes to the MCEHC would have the following effect:
Adopt Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 6, Section 601 through 617 of the Arizona 
Administrative Code (A.A.C.).
Added clarity regarding plan submittal requirements.
Provide clearer definitions such as “campgrounds” and “campsites” to help 
customers determine when permitting and routine inspections are required.
The Department proposes aligning MCEHC requirements for campgrounds with 
the Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.)  This alignment will remove more 
restrictive requirements in MCEHC and provide customers with regulatory clarity. 
Proposed Revisions to Code
REGULATION 1. 
Definitions Adoption of Campgrounds Code
Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 6, Sections 601 through 617 of the Arizona Administrative Code
(“A.A.C.”), including all revisions, technical corrections, and supplements published as of March 31,
2024 are hereby adopted as, the Campgrounds Code of Maricopa County; for regulating the design,
construction, management, and operation of Campgrounds and the issuance of permits, subject to the
insertions and changes set forth in Regulation 2 below. Copies of the above-described A.A.C. rules,
adopted by reference herein, are available from the Arizona Secretary of State.
Maricopa Co unty E nvironmental He alth Code Ch apte r XII
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a.
 The regulations in this Chapter shall apply to any city, county, city-county, county-state, village, community,
institution, person, firm or corporation operating, maintaining or offering for public use with Maricopa 
County any tract of land on which persons may camp or picnic either free of charge or by payment of a fee.  
Each and every owner and lessee of any public camp or picnic ground shall be held responsible for full 
compliance with these regulations. 
b.
Primitive camp and picnic grounds offered by this state or a political subdivision of this state are exempt 
from Regulation 3, a., Regulation 5, a. and c., and Regulation 6 of this Chapter.  For purposes of this Chapter, 
“primitive camp and picnic grounds” means camp and picnic grounds that are remote in nature and without 
accessibility to public infrastructure such as water, electricity and sewer. 
REGULATION 2. 
Supervision Permit Required (Was Regulation 7, now is Regulation 2)
No person shall operate a Campground without a valid permit to do so from the Department or otherwise than 
in compliance with this code and any other applicable State or County regulation.
a. The management of every public camp or picnic ground shall assume responsibility for maintaining in good 
repair all sanitary appliances on said ground and shall promptly bring such action as may be necessary to 
prosecute or eject from such ground any person who willfully or maliciously damages such appliances or any 
person who in any way fails to comply with these regulations. 
b. At least one caretaker shall be employed by the management to visit said camp or picnic ground every day 
that campers or picnickers occupy said ground.  Such caretaker shall do whatever may be necessary to keep 
said ground and its equipment in a clean and sanitary condition. 
c. Each camping party shall be allotted usable space of not less than 350 square feet.
REGULATION 3. 
Water Supply Plan Required
A. The water supply system shall be in accordance with Chapter V of this Code and shall be provided in ample
quantity to meet all requirements of the maximum number of persons using such ground at any time. Said
water supply shall be easily obtained from its source or on a pipe distribution system, from faucets which shall
be located not more than 300 feet from a camp or picnic spot within such ground. If water supply is obtained
direct from above ground source, said source must be covered properly and water withdrawn by means of open
pipe or faucet as approved by the Department. In no case can dipping from open springs, seeps or wells be
permitted. No person may begin construction of, maintain, or operate a Campground until plans and
specifications showing compliance with these Regulations have been submitted to and approved by the
Department. Plans for the water supply and wastewater system shall be prepared by or under the supervision
of a currently registered Arizona Professional Engineer. The engineer shall affix his signature and Arizona seal
of registration to all water and wastewater plans submitted for approval, and shall certify in writing that the
plan documents comply with these Regulations.
B. Any water considered unsafe for human consumption in the vicinity of such ground, to which campers or
picnickers may have access, shall be either eliminated or purified, or shall be kept posted with placards 
definitely warning persons against its use. Plans and specifications should include: 
1.
A park plan drawn to scale showing all building locations, Campground spaces, water and sewer
infrastructure, and refuse locations.
2.
Narrative that includes information about the following:
a. Water supply.
b.Sewage systems and disposal.
c. Refuse disposal.
d. Number of employees
e. Number of tent Camping spaces.
f. Number of recreational vehicle spaces.
g. Number of spaces with water and sewer hookup.
h. Months of operation.
i. Maximum allowable days of stay for a camping and recreational vehicle space.
j. Site supervision for maintaining the facilities.
k. Number of male and female toilet facilities.
REGULATION 4. 
Protection Against Fires General
No fires shall at any time be so located as to endanger automobiles or other property in the camp ground.  No fires 
shall be left unattended at any time, and all fires shall be completely extinguished before leaving. 
A.  No change or modification of water supply or sewage disposal facilities in any existing Campgrounds shall be 
made until plans and specifications have been submitted to and approved by the Department. 
B. The applicant must be in compliance with all other Regulations and requirements, including the Maricopa
County Planning and Development Department’s zoning approval and entitlement for unincorporated 
Maricopa County. 
REGULATION 5. 
Sewage and Refuse Disposal 
a. Supervision and equipment: Supervision and equipment sufficient to prevent littering of the ground with
rubbish, garbage or other refuse shall be provided and maintained. Fly tight depositories for such materials
shall be provided and conspicuously located. Each and every camp or picnic spot on said ground shall be
within a distance of not over 200 feet from such a depository. These depositories shall not be permitted to
become foul smelling or unsightly or breeding places for flies.
REGULATION 6.  Toilets
Fly tight privies or water-flushed toilets shall be provided and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary
condition.
Separate toilets for men and women shall be provided, one for each 25 men, and one for each 25
women, or fraction thereof, of the maximum number of persons occupying such ground at any time. No camp or
picnic spot within such ground shall be at a greater distance than 400 feet from both a women's and men's toilet.
The location of all toilets shall be plainly indicated by signs.
REGULATION 7. 
Permit Required 
No campground shall be operated or maintained in Maricopa County without a permit in force by the Department. 
b.
The method of final sewage or refuse disposal utilized in connection with the operation of any camp or
picnic ground shall be such as to create no nuisance.
c.
Basins: A sufficient number of basins, iron hoppers or sinks shall be provided and each shall be collected
with a sewerage system; these are to be used for the disposal of domestic waste waters.
Active Regulatory Process
Date
Regulatory Process Step
April 14, 2025
County Manager Briefs the Board of Supervisors
May 22, 2025
Stakeholder Workshop
July 28, 2025
Board of Health Meeting
Tentative September 10, 2025
Board of Supervisors Public Hearing
Time line of Ne xt Ste ps
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Maricopa.gov/regulations
Enhanced Regulatory Outreach 
Program (EROP)
Enhanced Regulatory Outreach 
Program (EROP)
ES-2025-003 (Campgrounds)
ES-2025-003 (Campgrounds)
Get Involved
• Track active regulatory
processes.
• View current and previous 
documents for active 
regulatory processes.
• Provide comments on
proposed changes to 
MCEHC.
SIGN UP
to receive rule 
notifications at
ENHANCED 
REGULATORY 
OUTREACH 
PROGRAM 
(EROP)
Stakeholder Questions
Amanda Bond
Quality and Compliance Division Manager
Amanda.Bond@Maricopa.gov
(602) 372-2735
Thank You
Logan Peiman
Management Analyst
Logan.Peiman@Maricopa.gov
(602) 506-6481
Brian Knisley
Water and Waste Management – Managing Supervisor
Brian.Knisley@maricopa.gov
(602) 228-0964
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Environmental Services Department 
301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170  
Phoenix, Arizona 85003 
P: 602.506.6616 
Maricopa.gov/Enviro 
Stakeholder Workshop 
Campgrounds 
Date: May 22, 2025 
Stakeholder Present:  None 
Staff Present: Andy Linton – Director, Amanda Bond – Quality and Compliance Division Manager, 
Eric Matson – Water and Waste Management Division Manager, Ryan Hall – Program Manager, 
Brian Knisley – Managing Supervisor, Logan Peiman – Management Analyst 
Presenter: Amanda Bond and Brian Knisley  
Minutes*: No stakeholders were present; therefore, staff did not present. 
Meeting adjourned. 
13

Environmental Services Department 
301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170  
Phoenix, Arizona 85003 
P: 602.506.6616 
Maricopa.gov/Enviro 
–– 
Stakeholder Workshop 
Campgrounds 
Date: May 30, 2025 
Stakeholder Present:  Jennifer Johnston – Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Parks 
Superintendent, David Jordan – Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Deputy Director, Teresa 
Retterbush – Maricopa County Development Superintendent 
Staff Present: Amanda Bond – Quality and Compliance Division Manager, Ryan Hall – Program 
Manager, Brian Knisley – Managing Supervisor, Logan Peiman – Management Analyst 
Presenter: Amanda Bond and Brian Knisley 
Minutes*: Amanda Bond covered the Enhanced Regulatory Outreach Program (EROP) process and 
how stakeholders can stay informed on this and other upcoming cases.  Brian Knisley explained 
that the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (Department) The Department 
proposes aligning MCEHC requirements for campgrounds with the Arizona Administrative Code 
(A.A.C.). This alignment will remove more restrictive requirements in MCEHC and provide clearer 
definitions for “campgrounds” and “campsites.” The added regulatory clarity will help customers 
and the Department.  
There were no comments or questions. 
Meeting adjourned. 
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