Notice is hereby given that the Oconto County Land & Water Resources Committee of the Oconto County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on February 9, 2026, beginning at 10:15 AM, at the Northern Zoning Office, 15152 Island Lake Rd., to solicit comments on proposed text amendments to Chapter 14 Oconto County Zoning Ordinance of the Oconto County Code of Ordinances. The purpose of the Zoning Ordinance text amendments is to clarify ordinance standards for use of recreational vehicles and camping units. The text amendments to the Oconto County Zoning Ordinance are on file in the office of the Oconto County Clerk for a period of two weeks prior to the public hearing.
Text amendments to the Oconto County Zoning Ordinance are as follows: Where bold print appears, it indicates an addition to the Ordinance. Where strikethrough print appears, it indicates a deletion from the Ordinance.
14.422 Recreational Vehicles & Camping Units
(a) Recreational vehicles/camping units may be parked or stored on the owners’ home premises as an accessory use provided no permanent living quarters or business use is conducted herein. Such units shall be permitted to be stored within a garage, carport, or accessory structure or in the rear or side yard areas of developed parcels of land, provided setback standards are met. A maximum of three recreational vehicles/camping units may be parked or stored on the owners’ home premises. The recreational vehicles/camping units shall be in a road ready or storage mode position. Road ready/storage mode means no utility connections, windows, doors, bumpouts closed and not used for sleeping purposes. Units shall not be stored on undeveloped parcels.
(b) Recreational vehicles/camping units Camping trailers, truck campers, houseboats and motor homes may be permitted for their recreation uses in all districts excluding the Floodplain and Conservancy District except that they shall not be used for the purpose of permanent habitation. Such recreation vehicles/camping units shall not remain on an undeveloped parcel lot or premises more than 60 30 consecutive days. Any such vehicle may be left on the land for more than 60 30 consecutive days provided that a temporary use permit is obtained and an approved sanitary facility is provided.
(c) The wheels or any similar transporting devices of any recreational vehicle shall not be removed except for repairs, nor shall any such recreational vehicle be otherwise fixed to the ground in any manner that would prevent “road ready” removal at all times.
(d) All recreational vehicles/camping units shall comply with all adopted standards of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and shall be kept in good repair and licensed for highway use, if applicable.
(e) No abandoned, dilapidated, unsafe or unsanitary unit will be allowed on a parcel. Units must be kept clean and free of weeds, junk or discarded materials, dilapidated tarps or equipment and any items that present the appearance of permanent habitation or neglect.
(f) Accessory structures such as decks, porches, patios and carports may be allowed by permit, subject to zoning setback standards. However, in no case shall the accessory structure be attached to the recreational vehicle/camping unit.
(g) Recreational vehicle/camping unit shall comply with all setback requirements for the zoning district in which they are located including the shoreland, floodplain and wetland districts, where applicable.
(h) Camping restrictions in Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)
1) Only one recreational vehicle/camping unit is allowed per the lots minimum district standards.
2) To have more than one (1) recreational vehicle/camping unit, the lot must have an additional 20,000 square feet for each unit.
3) Temporary extended placement is allowed in Residential districts starting the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Labor Day with issuance of a temporary land use permit and sanitary permit for an approved sanitary facility regardless of the allowed 30 consecutive day window.
4) Parcels where a permit allows temporary extended placement of a recreational vehicle/camping unit shall obtain and display a physical address number.
5) All other RV standards are applicable.
(i) Camping restrictions in all other districts where permitted excluding the Floodplain and Conservancy District
1) Annual placement of a recreational vehicle/camping unit is allowed with issuance of an annual temporary land use permit and sanitary permit for an approved sanitary facility.
2) Land Use permits issued under this section are valid until December 31st of the calendar year in which they were issued.
3) Parcels where a permit allows annual placement of a recreational vehicle/camping unit shall obtain and display a physical address number.
4) All other RV standards are applicable.
(j) In no event, shall there be more than three (3) such recreational vehicles/camping units on any one parcel without a state campground permit except for the following events:
1) For a special event (i.e. family reunion, holiday, etc.) up to five (5) recreational vehicles/camping units will be allowed on a parcel for a period of up to nine (9) consecutive days.
(k) Leasing or renting of recreational vehicles is not allowed on a parcel outside of a licensed campground.
(l) Buses, construction trailers, truck bodies and trailers and other similar items not intended or designed for use as a recreational vehicle or camping units are prohibited from such use.
(m) Park Model Recreational Vehicles are allowed only in licensed campgrounds.
(n) Permit fees cannot be pro-rated for the calendar year. After issuance of the initial permit, permits must be renewed on a yearly basis with payment of the permit fee to Oconto County. Renewal of a permit shall require multiple photos of the recreational vehicle location to assure compliance with the recreational vehicle standards.
(o) Non-compliance with any of the above requirements on a site may deter the renewal of any permit for recreational vehicle use.
(p) Within one (1) year after the adoption of this amendment, all nonconforming recreational vehicles shall comply with the terms of this Section.
All persons interested are invited to attend this hearing and provide comments. Written comments may be submitted to Oconto County Land & Water Resources Committee, 301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153 or by email to lwr@ocontocountywi.gov. All written comments are to be received at least 24 hours prior to the public hearing.
For viewing of the proposed ordinance text amendments, please refer to the Oconto County Website http://www.ocontocountywi.gov
Dated this day of January 14, 2026.
OCONTO COUNTY LAND & WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE OF THE OCONTO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
By: Patrick Virtues
Oconto County Planning & Zoning Director