SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – The Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County is set to deliberate on a proposed low-impact camping ordinance aimed at regulating camping activities in rural and unincorporated areas of the county.
Known for its popularity as a camping destination, Santa Cruz County officials are looking to introduce regulations that would govern these activities while also potentially increasing the collection of transit occupancy tax revenue.
Jason Hoppin, Public Information Officer for the County of Santa Cruz, emphasized the selective nature of the proposed ordinance, stating, “There’s a very few number of properties that would be allowed to do this, they can’t be in flood zones, they can’t be in severely high fire areas.”
The primary objective behind the ordinance is to enhance public access to open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities. The regulations, if adopted, would specifically target rural areas such as the mountainous region of Boulder Creek, excluding commercial zones like Felton and coastal cities.
Defined as small-scale campgrounds intended for short-term, overnight recreational stays not exceeding two weeks, low-impact camping aims to minimize environmental footprint while promoting outdoor enjoyment.
The Board’s discussions scheduled for Tuesday aim to weigh the potential benefits of formalizing these regulations against concerns about environmental impact and community welfare.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the County of Santa Cruz moves forward with its deliberations.