Public Input Sought for Draft Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance on Wednesday, July 15

Press release from the County of Humboldt:

The Humboldt County Planning & Building Department is developing an ordinance to allow low-impact camping areas in rural unincorporated Humboldt County and is seeking public input.

A draft of the Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance is available for review at HumboldtGov.org/LICA.

A public workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. to share information about the draft ordinance and receive input from the community.

Background

Assembly Bill 518 was passed in October 2025. This bill allows counties to permit small-scale and low-impact camping on private rural lands without requiring a state permit. Since the bill was passed, the Planning & Building Department has been working to develop a Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance that follows state law and local standards for fire safety, solid and human waste, and other zoning and permitting requirements that protect public health, safety and welfare.

A draft of the ordinance has already been reviewed by relevant regulatory agencies, including the Building Division, Department of Environmental Health, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, California Coastal Commission and the Farm Bureau. Their input has been considered for incorporation into the draft document.

Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance Workshop

If you would like to be part of the discussion on this ordinance, please consider reviewing the draft ordinance and attending the virtual public workshop on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m.

Community members and other interested parties have the option to attend the workshop on Zoom, or by calling in.

Following the workshop, staff will update the ordinance based on feedback received and a second workshop will be held at a subsequent Planning Commission hearing. The ordinance will then enter the hearing stage where the Planning Commission will make their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, who will consider those recommendations and make a decision regarding the proposed ordinance.

How to Attend on Zoom

Members of the public may attend the workshop on virtually by visiting Zoom online and entering the password 200525. To access it on the phone, call 346-248-7799, enter the meeting ID: 853 5938 9091 and password: 200525.

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access to all county programs, services and activities through the provision of accommodations for individuals with qualified disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With 72 hours prior notice, a request for reasonable accommodation for this meeting can be made by calling 707-441-2634.

For more information about the workshop, please email [email protected].us or call 707-441-2634.

For more information about Humboldt County’s draft Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance, please visit HumboldtGov.org/LICA.

About the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department

The County of Humboldt’s Planning & Building Department is dedicated to supporting safe and well-planned communities throughout Humboldt County. Whether you’re building a home, opening a business or planning for the future, the Planning & Building Department is here to guide you through the processes that help ensure development aligns with local values, environmental stewardship and state law. For more information about the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department and the services it provides, please visit HumboldtGov.org/Planning-Building.