Campgrounds

Campgrounds are required to be licensed in accordance with the Public Health Code in Michigan, Act 368, PA 1978, as amended.  Annual licenses are issued by the Michigan Department of Environment Quality (MDEQ).  The state of Michigan contracts with local health departments to annually inspect all campgrounds.  Additionally, the health department investigates citizen complaints about campgrounds. These inspections assure that campgrounds are in compliance with Michigan law and administrative rules.

A public campground is required to have a license when a parcel of land offers for use, by members of the public, five (5) or more recreational units.  Recreational units may include recreational vehicles or tent units.

Campgrounds are classified as modern or primitive:

• Modern campgrounds may have water under pressure and sewer connections to individual sites, or have a modern service building with sinks, toilets and showers.
• Primitive campgrounds may have hand pump wells and privies.

A construction permit is required from the MDEQ prior to constructing a new campground or altering an existing campground.

Further information may be obtained by visiting the MDEQ web site for campgrounds.