DHS 178.11(4)
(4) Density. Density of campers and campsites may not exceed:
DHS 178.11(4)(a)
(a) For an individual campsite, 6 campers or an individual family;
DHS 178.11(5)
(5) Roadways. Where internal roads are provided, they shall be graded and maintained to provide drainage and control dust.
DHS 178.11(6)
(6) Access. Access to a campground shall be designed to minimize congestion and hazards at the entrance and exit.
DHS 178.11(7)
(7) Multiple unit sites. An individual campsite may be occupied by more than one camping unit provided that the site is large enough to contain the additional unit or units with a separation of at least 10 feet between units and provided that the total number of occupants at the multiple unit campsite does not exceed 6 campers unless they are members of an individual family.
DHS 178.11 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.06
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.12(1)(a)(a) Outlets. For campgrounds the plans and specifications for which are approved under
s. DHS 178.04 on or after September 1, 1992, an outlet supplying water which is under pressure and which is safe for human consumption shall be located not more than 400 feet from any individual campsite and not within 50 feet of a sanitary station. Water which is safe for human consumption shall be available for users of group campsites.
DHS 178.12(1)(b)
(b) Privately owned wells. A privately owned well is permitted as a source of water. The well shall be located on the premises and shall be constructed and the pump installed in accordance with
ch. NR 812, rules of the department of natural resources governing well drilling and pump installation. All drinking water shall comply with the applicable water quality standards in
ch. NR 809. Prior to the start of the season, or annually for a year-around campground, the operator shall submit a water sample taken from the plumbing distribution system to a laboratory certified under
ch. ATCP 77 for bacteriological analysis, and a copy of the report giving the results of the analysis shall be made available to the department or its agent upon request. A campground served by more than one well shall submit a sample from each well annually. Whenever bacteriologically safe water cannot be obtained consistently from a well constructed in apparent compliance with
ch. NR 812, as evidenced by laboratory reports, the well shall be reconstructed or a new well constructed in accordance with the requirements of
ch. NR 812. If reconstruction or new construction is determined to be impractical or is found to be ineffective, the use of the well shall be discontinued and water shall be transported on a temporary basis from a source and in a manner approved by the department.
DHS 178.12 Note
Note: Bottles for collection of water samples may be obtained by writing to the State Laboratory of Hygiene, 465 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706, or by calling 1-800-442-4618. Use of any private or public certified laboratory is acceptable to satisfy the requirement.
DHS 178.12(2)
(2) Individual water connections. Plans for any water distribution system shall be approved by the department of safety and professional services or its designated agent. If facilities for individual water service connections for camping units are provided, the following standards shall apply:
DHS 178.12(2)(a)
(a) Water riser pipes shall extend at least 18 inches above ground elevation with the outlet directed downward;
DHS 178.12(2)(b)
(b) Adequate provision shall be made to prevent freezing of service lines, valves or riser pipes;
DHS 178.12(2)(d)
(d) Approved devices to prevent backflow shall be provided on all outlets; and
DHS 178.12 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; corrections in (1) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, January, 1995, No. 469; correction in (1) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, August, 1998, No. 512;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.07
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; correction in (1) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2009 No. 637; corrections in (2) (intro), (c), (e) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
DHS 178.13(1)
(1)
General. If a campground requires a sewage system and a public sewer facility is available to the campground, connection and use are required.
DHS 178.13 Note
Note: See SPS 383.03 (2), Public Sewer Connection.
DHS 178.13(2)(a)(a) A private sewage system, as defined in s.
145.01 (12), Stats., is permitted when a public sewer facility is not available to the campground. The system shall be located, designed, constructed and operated in accordance with
chs. SPS 382,
383, and
384.
DHS 178.13 Note
Note: See s.
145.195, Stats., regarding building on unsewered property.
DHS 178.13(2)(b)
(b) A failed on-site private waste disposal system shall be corrected or its use discontinued. A failed system has the meaning prescribed for"failing private sewage system" under s.
145.245 (4), Stats.
DHS 178.13(2)(c)
(c) A plan and installation details for the design and construction, alteration or extension of a private sewage disposal system shall be submitted to the department of industry, labor and human relations or its designated agent for approval before construction or the work of altering or extending the private sewage disposal system is begun.
DHS 178.13 Note
Note: Local jurisdictions may require additional approvals.
DHS 178.13(2)(d)
(d) All plumbing fixtures shall be connected to the building drainage system, with discharge to a public sewer or private sewage disposal system.
DHS 178.13(2)(e)
(e) Sewage, which includes all liquid and water-carried wastes from sinks, bathing and toilet facilities, may not discharge onto the ground surface.
DHS 178.13(2)(f)
(f) Containers installed outside of a camping unit and used to receive the discharge from its toilet, shower, bathing and sink facilities may be accepted by the department if approved by the department of industry, labor and human relations. Containers shall be emptied as often as necessary so as not to create a nuisance. Wastewater shall be disposed of in a manner approved by the department.
DHS 178.13 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.08
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; correction in (2) (a) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
DHS 178.14(1)(a)(a) Separate toilet rooms shall be provided for each sex and shall be available at all times while the campground is occupied by dependent camping units. Vault toilets or other approved outdoor toilet units are permitted. Vault toilets shall be constructed in accordance with the outdoor toilet requirements in
s. SPS 362.2900 and
ch. SPS 391 and shall be maintained in good repair. All toilet rooms shall be fly-tight, vermin-proof and constructed with impervious floors, seat risers and seats. Doors shall have self-closing devices.
DHS 178.14(1)(b)
(b) No vault toilet may be located within 75 feet of an individual campsite or a building used for human occupancy.
DHS 178.14(1)(c)
(c) Each toilet shall be enclosed in a separate compartment equipped with a privacy lock.
DHS 178.14(2)
(2) Toilets for people with physical disabilities. The construction of toilets, toilet rooms and toilet buildings, and their accessibility, shall comply with
ch. SPS 362.
DHS 178.14(3)
(3) Walkways to toilet buildings. Walkways to toilet buildings shall be provided and shall have a prepared slip-resistant surface to allow safe and clean access under all weather conditions.
DHS 178.14(4)
(4) Distance to toilets. A toilet for each sex shall be located within 400 feet from each individual or group campsite on which a dependent camping unit is located.
DHS 178.14(5)(a)1.1. For campgrounds the plans and specifications for which are approved under
s. DHS 178.04 on or after September 1, 1992, the number of toilet fixtures for individual campsites shall be determined by the total number of sites, excluding sites intended solely for use by independent camping units, using table 178.09. If a campground has more than 100 sites, one additional toilet for each sex shall be provided for every additional 75 sites or fraction thereof except that urinals may be substituted for up to 50% of the calculated number of toilets required for males.
-
See PDF for table 
DHS 178.14(5)(a)2.
2. Campgrounds with plans and specifications approved by the department before September 1, 1992 shall have the number of toilet fixtures required by the rules in effect when the plans and specifications were approved.
DHS 178.14(5)(b)
(b) Group campsites. The number of toilet fixtures for group campsites shall be one toilet for each sex for every 30 campers or fraction thereof. Urinals may be substituted for up to 50% of the number of toilets required for males.
DHS 178.14(5)(c)
(c) Independent camping unit campground. Where a campground is designed for and exclusively limited to use by independent camping units, the campground shall provide a backup toilet for each sex for every 100 sites or fraction thereof, which shall be available at all times that the campground is occupied.
DHS 178.14 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; corrections in (1) (a) and (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, August, 1998, No. 512; corrections in (1) (a) and (2) were made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register May 2002 No. 557;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.09
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; correction in (5) (a) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2009 No. 637; corrections in (1) (a), (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
DHS 178.15(1)(1) All campgrounds accommodating independent camping units on unsewered sites shall provide a sanitary station in the ratio of 1 for every 300 sites or fraction thereof unless the operator submits a plan to the department and obtains an approval for an alternate method for disposal of liquid wastes.
DHS 178.15(2)
(2) The sanitary station shall consist of at least a trapped 4 inch sewer riser pipe connected to the campground sanitary sewer system, surrounded at the inlet end by a concrete apron sloped to the drain, and with a suitable hinged cover provided for the riser. A water outlet shall be included to permit sanitary maintenance of the station. The water outlet shall be marked: "THIS WATER FOR FLUSHING AND CLEANING — NOT FOR DRINKING OR DOMESTIC PURPOSES". The water outlet hose shall be mounted on a reel or tower to ensure that the nozzle does not touch the ground when not in use. The water outlet shall be provided with an approved device to prevent backflow.
DHS 178.15(3)
(3) A sanitary station may not be located within 50 feet of a permanent body of surface water nor within 75 feet of a designated campsite.
DHS 178.15 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.10
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.16
DHS 178.16
Toilet or shower building. If a building housing toilets, handwashing facilities and showers or only toilets or showers is provided at a campground, it shall be constructed in compliance with
chs. SPS 361 to
365. The sewage system serving the building shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with
ch. 145, Stats., and
chs. SPS 382,
383, and
384.
DHS 178.16 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register May 2002 No. 557;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.11
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
DHS 178.16 Note
HFS 178.17 Enforcement. History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, January, 1995, No. 469; correction in (4) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register May 2002 No. 557;
CR 08-073: r.
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.17(1)(1)
General. Campground garbage and refuse shall be stored in covered containers which are durable, easily cleanable, and insect, rodent and water resistant. Outside storage of plastic bags or wet-strength paper bags or baled units containing garbage or refuse is prohibited. Containers for garbage and refuse shall be located within 400 feet of each campsite except that the department may approve a centrally located garbage/refuse handling system.
DHS 178.17(2)
(2) Container numbers. There shall be a sufficient number of containers to hold all the garbage and refuse that accumulates.
DHS 178.17(3)
(3) Container maintenance. Garbage and refuse containers shall be emptied as often as necessary to prevent the development of odor, the attraction of insects and rodents and overflow. Containers shall be cleaned as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions.
DHS 178.17(4)
(4) Incineration. Where garbage or refuse is burned on the premises, the burning shall be done by controlled incineration that prevents the escape of particulate matter in accordance with
chs. NR 415 and
445, except that incidental burning of combustibles may be done at campsite fireplaces. Areas around incinerator facilities shall be clean and orderly.
DHS 178.17(5)
(5) Solid waste. Solid waste disposal sites in the campground shall be in compliance with
ch. NR 502.
DHS 178.17(6)
(6) Fish and game cleaning station. When provided, a fish and game cleaning station shall be reasonably fly-tight and vermin-proof and maintained in a sanitary manner.
DHS 178.17 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.12
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.18
DHS 178.18
Fire protection. Campgrounds shall be kept free of camper generated litter, rubbish and other flammable materials. At least one maintained fire extinguisher shall be available in the campground office or other building within the campground.
DHS 178.18 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.13
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.19(1)(1)
General. When a campground operator rents a camping unit or shelter unit, the interior of the unit shall be in a clean and sanitary condition and in good repair.
DHS 178.19(2)(a)(a) All furnishings and appliances in a rented camping unit shall be cleaned between occupancies and maintained in a good state of repair. Whenever multi-use food and beverage utensils are provided, they shall be washed and sanitized between occupancies. At a minimum, the sanitizing process shall include the use of a 100 part per million hypochlorite solution.
DHS 178.19 Note
Note: Bleach is a commonly used sanitizer. One-half ounce of bleach at a 5.25% concentration of sodium hypochlorite mixed with two gallons of water yields a 100 ppm solution.
DHS 178.19(2)(b)
(b) Rented sleeping paraphernalia such as sleeping bags and bed linens shall be laundered or dry cleaned between rentals.
DHS 178.19 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.14
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.20(1)(1)
General. The campground operator shall maintain the campground and related facilities in a clean, safe and sanitary condition at all times.
DHS 178.20(2)
(2) Register. A campground register shall be maintained containing the name of the principal campsite occupant and the number in the party. The register shall be available to any authorized employee or agent of the department who, in carrying out his or her duties, wishes to inspect the register. The register information shall be kept for at least one year after the departure of the occupant of a site.
DHS 178.20(3)
(3) Change of ownership. The campground operator shall promptly notify the department in writing of an intention to permanently cease operations and shall supply the department with the name and mailing address of any new operator.
DHS 178.20 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.15
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09.
DHS 178.21(1)
(1)
General. The operator of a special event campground shall submit a letter of application for a permit to the department or agent at least 7 days prior to opening. At a minimum, the application shall include the location of the event, an estimate of the number of people to be accommodated, the number of, type and provisions for servicing and maintaining toilet facilities to be provided, the water supply source and distribution method, and the method of handling solid and liquid waste.
DHS 178.21(2)
(2) Water. Water which is safe for human consumption shall be provided in a manner approved by the department or its agent.
DHS 178.21(3)
(3) Toilets. The number of toilets shall be provided as stated in
ch. SPS 362. Toilets shall be constructed in accordance with
s. SPS 362.2900 and
ch. SPS 391 and shall be fly-tight and vermin proof with impervious floors, seat risers and seats. Doors shall have self-closing devices and be equipped with a privacy lock.
DHS 178.21(4)
(4) Wastewater. Water which was used for cleaning or personal hygiene shall be disposed of in a manner not to create a nuisance.
DHS 178.21(5)
(5) Solid waste, storage and disposal. Garbage and refuse shall be stored in accordance with
s. DHS 178.12.
DHS 178.21 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; corrections in (3) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, August, 1998, No. 512; corrections in (3) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register May 2002 No. 557;
CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 178.16
Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; correction in (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2009 No. 637; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
