Licensing of Recreational Facilities and Beaches

A.These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred by R. I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-1-5, 23-1-17, 23-21-1, and 23-21-4 and are established to define the minimal standards for recreational facilities consistent with statutory provisions.

A.For the purposes of these Regulations, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

1."Adequate" means that which is needed to accomplish the intended purpose in keeping with good public health practice.

2."Amusement place" means any tract of land together with the structures located thereon, the principle use of which is to provide a "midway" of amusement, or animal or vehicle racing for public amusement or recreation.

3."Bathing" means swimming and the related activities connected thereto.

4."Bathing beach" means any natural area or tract of land which is used in connection with swimming and/or bathing in any waters of the state provided:

a.It is open to the public by permit and/or payment of a fee; or

b.It is maintained as a private club or association requiring membership fee or dues; or

c.It is maintained with or without charge for the recreation of groups of ten (10) or more children.

5."Director" means the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health or his/her duly appointed agents.

6."Drainage unit" means a pit filled with crushed stone for soil absorption of potable water overflow at drinking facilities or watering stations.

7."Family camp" means any place maintained to accommodate tents, mobile camping units, trailers, recreation vehicles, etc., in which separate sites are provided or made available for individuals, families or other groups of similar size. Service buildings may or may not be provided.

a."Primitive family camp" means a place provided to accommodate camping with or without tents and/or shelters. Such places are usually not accessible to automobiles and/or recreation vehicles. A primitive family camp is a site at which basic needs for camp operation such as buildings, water supply systems, toilets, lavatories, showers and cooking facilities are not usually provided.

b."Caravan, safari, rally" means an affiliated group of recreational vehicles assembled for a short term camping experience.

8."Family campsite" means a portion of land in a camping area for the placement of a recreational vehicle and/or tent for the exclusive use of its occupants.

9."Garbage" means the putrescible animal and vegetable wastes that result from the handling, preparation and consumption of food.

10."Hotel, Motel, Motor Court, Inn, Tourist Cabins" means any building or group of buildings with six or more rooms, or accommodations for more than eight individuals, used for temporary occupancy for lodging or sleeping and further provided they are served by a private or non-community water supply or individual sewage disposal system.

11."Mobile home" means a prefabricated, one-family dwelling unit, to which temporary wheels can be attached for transportation to a permanent location or foundation. Mobile homes are excluded from the provisions of these regulations.

12."Operator" means any person who:

a.Alone or jointly or severally with others owns an establishment covered in these regulations; or

b.Has care, charge or control of an establishment as agent or lessee of the owner or as an independent contractor.

13."Person" means any individual, firm, co-partnership, association or private or municipal corporation.

14."Plastic waste insert" means any liner which consists of a non-dissolvable material used as a convenience for the collection and disposal of refuse and human waste; e.g., liners for portable "Jonny" camp units, can liners, etc.

15."Potable water" means water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming in its bacteriological, radiological and chemical quality to the requirement of Subchapter 05 Part 1 of this Chapter, Public Drinking Water.

16."Primitive or outpost youth/adult camp" means a camp or other site at which the basic needs such as places of abode, water supply systems and permanent toilet and cooking facilities are not usually provided.

17."Recreation facility or use" means, to include but not be limited to hotels, motels, motor courts or inns, tourist cabin establishments, camping areas, amusement places, bathing beaches, mobile recreational vehicle facilities and parks.

18."Recreational vehicle" means a vehicle which may or may not be motor propelled, that is used primarily for recreation purposes on land. It includes mobile homes, travel trailers, "pop-top" trailers, fold-out trailers, vans and other similar vehicles primarily designed for camping or overnight occupancy.

a."Dependent recreational vehicle" means a vehicle which has no permanent toilet, lavatory and shower facilities and is dependent upon a service building for toilet, lavatory and shower facilities.

b."Independent or self-contained recreational vehicle" means a vehicle which can operate independent of connections to sewer, water and electric systems. It may contain a water flushed toilet, lavatory, bath, shower and kitchen sink, all of which are connected to water storage and sewage holding tanks located within the vehicle.

19."Refuse" means all putrescible and non-putrescible solid wastes including garbage, rubbish, ashes and biological wastes.

20."RIDOH" means the Rhode Island Department of Health.

21."Rubbish" means all non-putrescible solid wastes consisting of both combustible and noncombustible materials such as paper, tin cans, glass bottles, bedding, rags, crockery, metals, etc.

22."Sanitary station (dump station)" means a facility used for receiving and disposing of wastes from various types of holding tanks.

23."Sanitary sewage" means any human or animal excremental liquid or substance including the discharge of water closets, laundry tubs, washing machines, sinks, dishwashers and the contents of septic tanks, cesspools or privies. Waste water from dishwashing procedures, handwashing, bathing and shower facilities will be considered sewage.

24."Service building" means a structure housing toilets, lavatories, showers and such other facilities as may be required by the Department.

25."Shall or Must" means mandatory requirements.

26."This Part" means all parts of Licensing of Recreational Facilities and Beaches (216-RICR-50-10-3).

27."Travel trailer" means a vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis with permanent wheels for the purpose of towing from place to place as a temporary residence for travel, recreation or vacation use.

28."Watering station" means a centralized potable water supply outlet.

29."Youth/adult camp" means any camp, primitive or outpost camp, or residential camp which conducts a program for ten (10) or more campers.

a."Day camp" means a camp operated for less than twenty-four (24) hours in any one (1) day not including day care centers as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.1-5. Day campers will be limited to two (2) overnight programs per week.

b."Residential camp" means a camp which provides overnight facilities.

3.3.1Issuance and Expiration of License

A.No person shall maintain within this state any recreation facility or use as defined in § 3.2(A)(17) of this Part until such person has obtained a license from RIDOH in accordance with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-21-2. Licenses are not transferable. All licenses must be prominently displayed at the licensed location.

3.3.2License Application

A.The initial application for a license must be on forms provided by the Department. Prior to any construction and before any license can be issued, a detailed plan drawn to scale showing the entire site must be approved by the Director. This plan must include:

1.Location and layout of buildings,

2.Recreational vehicle sites,

3.Complete details of:

a.Water supplies,

b.Pumps and service including well logs,

c.Sewage and refuse disposal units,

d.Bathing areas and

e.all available unit sites.

B.Plans and construction must comply with all applicable existing laws and this Part. Additions or alterations subsequent to the submission of such will be made only with the approval of the Director.

3.3.3Suspension or Revocation of License

A.The Director may suspend or revoke any license for violation of the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-21 or this Part in accordance with R. I. Gen. Laws § 23-21-3.

3.3.4Variances

A.In the event of special situations or unusual conditions, the Director may grant variances to this Part. Requests for variances must be submitted in writing and must detail the special request to the licensing authority.

3.3.5Retroactivity

A.Recreational facilities licensed by RIDOH prior to June 10, 1980, the initial effective date of this Part, may be deemed acceptable with respect to said design and construction if they are capable of being maintained in a sanitary condition that protects the public health.

3.4.1Animals and Pets

A.No owner or person in charge of a dog, cat or other pet animal shall permit it to run at large or to commit any nuisance within the limits of any recreation facility or use under this Part. Any kennels, pens or other areas provided for such pets shall be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. This section shall not apply to service animals in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-9.1-2.

B.Horses and other farm animals must be stabled at least five hundred feet (500’) away from living quarters, dining halls and kitchens in order to minimize odor and nuisance problems. Temporary shelters, corrals, tie rails or hitching posts shall not be located within two hundred feet (200’) of any dining hall or other place where food is prepared, cooked or served. Stables must have cleanable floors properly drained and maintained. Drainage from stables and temporary quarters shall not contaminate any spring, stream, lake or other water drainage. All manure must be removed, stored or disposed of in a manner that prevents insect breeding.

3.4.2Reporting of Communicable Disease

A.Cases of communicable disease designated as "reportable diseases" by the Director shall be reported promptly to RIDOH in accordance with Reporting and Testing of Infectious, Environmental, and Occupational Diseases (Part 30-05-1 of this Title).

1.When infectious diseases present a potential hazard or occur in epidemic form in campers, these shall be reported to RIDOH, even if not designated as "reportable diseases."

3.4.3Curtailment of Utilities or Services

A.No person shall cause the water, or sewage disposal, service facility or equipment which is required to be made available under these minimum standards to be shut off or removed except for such temporary period as may be necessary during actual repairs or alterations or during temporary emergencies when curtailment of service is approved by the Director.

3.4.4Electrical Distribution System

A.Electrical wiring systems shall consist of approved fixtures, equipment and appurtenances installed and maintained in accordance with the 510-RICR-00-00-5, RISBC-5 Rhode Island Electrical Code.

3.4.5Food Service

A.All food operations must comply with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 23-1, 21-27 and 21-31 and Part 1 of this Subchapter, Rhode Island Food Code, adopted thereunder.

3.4.6Laundry Facilities

A.If laundry facilities are provided in a recreation facility or use, there must be a separate room or building set aside for the use of washing machines and this use must be confined to the inhabitants of that recreation facility or use;

B.All laundry rooms must have floors that are impervious to water, easily cleaned and sloped to floor drains connected to the sewerage disposal system. The floors must be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. Walls and partitions in laundries must be constructed of easily cleanable and impervious material;

C.Laundries must have forty (40) foot candles of lighting and must be properly ventilated.

3.4.7Pest Control

A.Grounds, buildings, parking areas, and structures must be maintained reasonably free of insect and rodent infestation and harborages;

B.Extermination methods and other measures to control pests must conform with requirements of the RI Department of Environmental Management’s Rules and Regulations Governing Nuisance Wildlife Control Specialist, 250-RICR-60-00-3,where applicable or as approved by the Director.

3.4.8Refuse Storage and Disposal

A.The operator shall provide an adequate storage area and maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, as many receptacles for the storage of garbage and rubbish as are necessary to contain the accumulation between collections. Garbage and rubbish should be disposed of at least twice weekly;

B.Garbage must be stored in fly-tight, water-tight, rodent-proof receptacles of metal or other durable material and properly covered;

C.The storage, collection and disposal of refuse must be so conducted as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident or fire hazards or air pollution;

D.When garbage and rubbish is to be disposed of on the grounds, disposal must be approved by the Director of RI Department of Environmental Management and shall be in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-23.

3.4.9Septic Tank Cleaners

A.Any establishment under this Part that has apparatus for the removal of septage or sanitary sewage must comply with the provisions of R. I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-49.

3.4.10Sewage Disposal Facilities

A.Sewage must be disposed of in accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Rules and Regulations for Sewage Sludge Management, 250-RICR-150-10-3.

B.Primitive or outpost camps must utilize methods approved by the Director.

3.4.11Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches

A.Where a swimming pool is provided, it must be constructed and operated in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-22 and all state regulations applicable;

B.Bathing beach water must meet bacteriological and safety standards as determined by RIDOH. The standard for beach closure advisories, as determined by RIDOH, is the Beach Action Value (60 colony forming units of Enterococci per 100 milliliters of water). Enforcement is within RIDOH's sole discretion.

3.4.12Toilets, Lavatories, and Showers

A.Each recreation facility or use must provide the number of toilets, showers or lavatories or fraction thereof as indicated in the following tables. Such facilities will be maintained clean, sanitary, well-lighted and in good repair.

1.Table I: Motels, Hotels, Cabins, Amusements Places, Bathing Beaches

2.Table II: Youth – Residential Camps

3.Table III: Youth – Day Camps

4.Table IV: Family Camps

a.A flushing toilet (without seat) shall be provided, at each service building, for disposal of liquid wastes unless a sanitary station is conveniently accessible.

b.For recreational vehicle areas having more than one hundred (100) sites there shall be provided one (1) additional toilet and lavatory, for each sex, for each additional thirty (30) sites; one (1) additional shower, for each sex, for each additional forty (40) sites; and one (1) additional men's urinal for each additional one hundred (100) sites.

B.Handwashing facilities must be adjacent to toilet facilities and urinals;

C.Potable hot and cold running water must be provided at all showers and lavatories unless a variance has been granted;

D.Approved hand cleaner and approved hand drying facilities must be provided at all lavatories unless a variance has been granted;

E.Proper ventilation must be provided;

F.Forty (40) foot candles of light must be provided unless otherwise exempted;

G.Duckboards must not be used in showers.

3.4.13Water Supply

A.The operator of all recreational facilities must supply potable water, under pressure, adequate for the needs of such facility. The water supply must be obtained from a source approved in writing by RIDOH and so distributed as to be readily available. If there is more than one (1) well serving the recreation facility or use, each well must be visually, readily identifiable by name, number, color or some other means on or about the well;

B.The operator shall install and maintain all pipes and pumps delivering potable water in accordance with the 510-RICR-00-00-3, RISBC-3 Rhode Island Plumbing Code

C.There must be no physical connection between any pipe carrying water from a potable water source and any pipe carrying water from any other source without written approval of the Director;

D.Drinking fountains shall be of a design meeting the following general criteria based on 510-RICR-00-00-3, RISBC-3 Rhode Island Plumbing Code which incorporate and amend the International Plumbing Code.

1.The fountain shall be constructed of an impervious material and have an easily cleanable bowl and other surfaces;

2.The jet of water must be at an angle preventing water from falling back into the orifice;

3.The end of the nozzle must be protected by guards preventing the person using the fountain from contacting the nozzle;

4.The nozzle must discharge above the edge of the bowl so an air gap is provided to prevent a possible cross-connection;

5.Proper drainage must be provided to carry off water promptly.

3.5.1Youth/Adult Camps

A.Toilets, Urinals, and Privies

1.Non-water carried sewage disposal systems such as pit privies, latrines and urinals must not be less than one hundred (100) feet from a kitchen or food service area;

2.Residential camps shall provide handwashing and shower facilities and must meet the minimum requirements as cited in the table titled "Table II: Youth – Residential Camps" in § 3.4.12(A)(2) of this Part;

3.Sleeping areas shall not be more than two hundred (200) feet from a toilet or urinal nor less than fifty (50) feet from any non-water carried toilets and/or urinals.

B.Handwashing and Showers

1.Handwashing and shower facilities shall be supplied with sufficient warm and cold running water;

2.Showers or bathtubs, when provided, must be in the living quarters or in a centrally located structure;

3.Handwashing facilities, shower stalls, bathtub areas and dressing compartments must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition;

4.Day camps are not required to provide shower facilities; however, they must meet the requirements cited in the table titled "Table III: Youth – Day Camps" in § 3.4.12(A)(3) of this Part;

5.Primitive or outpost camps are exempt from handwashing and shower facility requirements, as shown in the table titled "Table II: Youth – Residential Camps" in § 3.4.12(A)(2) of this Part and in the table titled "Table III: Youth – Day Camps" in § 3.4.12(A)(3) of this Part.

C.Primitive (Outpost) Requirements – Basic standards of sanitation relative to waste and sewage disposal, water supply, lavatory, bathing facilities and food sanitation apply to all primitive camping including, but not limited to, the following:

1.Counselors must be trained in the basic principles of food protection and sanitation and a list of trained personnel certified by the director of camping for the particular organization shall be available;

2.Each individual shall have available approved clean, fresh water for lavatory needs;

3.Warm water and adequate facilities shall be available for handwashing;

4.Adequate facilities shall be provided for approved methods of sanitizing eating and drinking utensils;

5.Slit trenches or "cat hole" disposal of human excreta or other recognized methods of sewage disposal must be provided.

3.5.2Family Camps

A.Waste Disposal

1.One (1) recreational vehicle sanitary station (dump station) with a foot-operated seal cover, or equivalent, providing sanitary closure of the sewer pipe inlet when not in use shall be provided for each one hundred fifty (150) family campsites;

2.When potable water is supplied to an individual campsite, an approved means of sewage collection and/or disposal must be provided.

B.Potable Water Supply – A potable watering station must be provided for supplying recreational vehicle storage tanks. All necessary procedures must be taken to assure the safety of the water supply. A watering station must be at least fifty (50) feet away from a sanitary station. A sign at least two (2) feet by two (2) feet must be posted at each potable water station stating, in proportional lettering, "Potable Water. Not to be used for flushing waste tanks."

C.Service Building – A central service building containing all necessary toilet and other required plumbing facilities must be provided for all recreational vehicle parking areas, except those reserved exclusively for independent recreational vehicles. Service buildings shall be located convenient to the parking spaces, but in no case more than five hundred (500) feet away. (See table titled "Table IV: Family Camps" in § 3.4.12(A)(4) of this Part.

D.Primitive Camps – Basic standards of sanitation relative to waste and sewage disposal apply. Campers are responsible for using safe water for drinking and culinary purposes.

E.A Camping Caravan – Safari – Rally may be accommodated in an area maintained and licensed as a recreation facility or use provided adequate facilities are present to accommodate the types of recreational vehicles or tents involved. A camping caravan – safari – rally may be held on land not maintained as a recreation facility or use if prior approval is obtained from RIDOH. Approved, adequate facilities must be readily available for good personal hygienic and public health protection. Approvals are limited to a three (3) day period.

A.Any person who violates the foregoing regulations shall be subject to the provisions of R. I. Gen. Laws § 23-21-8.