This section provides information for trailer courts, campgrounds, work camps, and youth camps operating in Gallatin County. Select the category below to learn about licensing requirements, plan review, inspections, applications, and available resources.

Tourist Campgrounds and Trailer Courts Basics:

“Campground” means a parcel of land available to and principally used by the public for camping, where persons can camp, secure tents or cabins, or park trailers for camping and sleeping purposes.

“Establishment” means a campground, trailer court, work camp, or youth camp.

Click here for additional definitions for Tourist Campgrounds and Trailer Courts. 

Trailer Court

A trailer court is a piece of land that has two or more spaces set aside for the public to use for living in trailers or mobile homes.

Campground

A campground is a piece of land open to the public where people can camp in tents, cabins, or trailers for sleeping and recreation.

Work Camp

A work camp is a piece of land where housing is provided only for employees and their families. The housing can include camping spots, trailer spaces, barracks, modular units, permanent buildings, and the water, wastewater, trash, or food service facilities that support them.

Youth Camp

A youth camp is a piece of land mainly used for educational or recreational activities for minors and provides living space for 10 or more people. Youth camps can also include water, wastewater, trash, and food service facilities.

Path to Licensure

Step 1: Contact the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) 

Contact GCCHD as early as possible during project planning. Staff can help identify applicable licensing requirements and discuss potential issues related to water, wastewater, land use approvals, occupancy, and other project considerations.

Important: Water supply, wastewater disposal, land use approvals, subdivision approvals, and DEQ requirements are among the most common reasons projects are delayed. Contacting GCCHD early can help identify these issues before significant time and money are invested in a project. 

Step 2: Submit a Plan Review Application 

Submit a complete plan review application, including all required plans, specifications, and supporting documentation.

Depending on the project, additional approvals from agencies such as the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), local planning departments, building departments, fire authorities, public water systems, or wastewater authorities may also be required.

Step 3: Respond to Review Comments 

GCCHD will review the application and may request additional information or revisions. Prompt responses can help avoid delays in the review process.

Step 4: Obtain Plan Approval 

Once all required information has been submitted and approved, GCCHD will issue plan approval.

Construction or alterations must be completed in accordance with the approved plans.

Step 5: Schedule a Pre-Operational Inspection 

Before opening or operating, contact GCCHD to schedule a pre-operational inspection.

The facility must be complete, operational, and ready for inspection.

Step 6: Obtain Your License 

After all requirements have been met and the pre-operational inspection is approved, GCCHD will issue the license and the facility may begin operating.

Facilities may not operate prior to receiving the required license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All new facilities, major remodels, expansions, additions of lots, spaces, buildings, or housing units, facility conversions, and ownership changes require review and approval by GCCHD before operation. Contact GCCHD early in the planning process to discuss project requirements and avoid delays. 

Plan review applications must include sufficient information for GCCHD to evaluate compliance with applicable regulations. Depending on the project, this may include: 

  • A completed application 
  • A scaled site plan showing the location of all improvements 
  • Building plans and specifications 
  • Water supply information 
  • Wastewater disposal information 
  • Solid waste disposal information 
  • Occupancy information 
  • Additional supporting documentation requested by GCCHD 

Projects requiring review by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) may also need to provide documentation of applicable DEQ approvals before the application can be approved. 

Once a complete application is received, GCCHD generally has up to 30 days to complete its review. Additional information may be requested during the review process. 

The length of the review process depends on the complexity of the project and the completeness of the information submitted. Applications that are incomplete or require approvals from other agencies may take longer to process. 

No. Plans and specifications must be submitted to and approved by GCCHD before construction or alterations begin. 

Any changes to approved plans that affect regulatory requirements must also receive written approval from GCCHD before implementation. 

No. State law requires facilities to obtain the appropriate license prior to operating. Operating without a required license may result in enforcement action. 

Possibly. Depending on the project, approvals may also be required from local planning departments, building departments, fire authorities, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), public water systems, wastewater authorities, or other agencies. 

Approval by GCCHD does not indicate compliance with all other applicable laws, regulations, permits, or approvals. 

Plan approval is generally valid for two years. If a license has not been issued within two years of approval, plans and specifications may need to be resubmitted and reviewed under the regulations in effect at the time of resubmittal. 

Common delays include: 

  • Incomplete applications 
  • Missing site or building plans 
  • Water supply concerns 
  • Wastewater disposal concerns 
  • Missing DEQ approvals or documentation 
  • Missing supporting documentation 
  • Required approvals from other agencies not yet obtained 

GCCHD encourages property owners, developers, engineers, architects, campground operators, and prospective business owners to contact us as early as possible during project planning. Early communication can help identify potential issues before significant time and money are invested in a project. 

Yes. All licensed facilities must provide an adequate supply of safe drinking water. Depending on the project, this may involve connecting to a public water system or obtaining approval for an alternative water source. 

If individual water connections are provided, they must be properly designed, installed, and protected from contamination. Water connections must include appropriate backflow protection and adequate separation from wastewater connections. 

If individual sewer connections are provided, they must connect to an approved wastewater system and be properly maintained. Sewer connections must be capped when not in use and must be adequately separated from water connections. 

No. Wastewater must discharge to an approved wastewater treatment system. Wastewater may not be discharged onto the ground surface or into surface waters. 

Facilities with dependent campsites or units are generally required to provide toilet facilities. Toilets must be accessible and located within the required distance of the sites they serve. 

Yes. Designated campsites, RV sites, and mobile home lots must be clearly identified and numbered to assist occupants, emergency responders, and inspectors. 

Yes. Site numbers should be clearly visible and maintained so occupants, emergency responders, and visitors can easily identify each site. 

Maybe. Campgrounds that provide designated sites for dependent units are generally required to provide a service building. 

A service building typically includes: 

  • Toilets 
  • Handwashing sinks 
  • A janitorial (mop) sink 
  • Lighting 
  • Approved water and wastewater connections 

If showers are provided, they must be properly maintained, ventilated, and supplied with warm water not exceeding 120°F. 

Service buildings must be located within 300 feet of the dependent sites they serve. 

Campgrounds that limit occupancy to 14 days or less may qualify for alternative requirements. Contact GCCHD to discuss your specific project. 

An independent unit is designed to operate without relying on shared restroom, water, or wastewater facilities and typically includes its own water supply, wastewater holding tanks, and toilet facilities. 

A dependent unit relies on shared facilities provided by the campground, such as restrooms, handwashing sinks, showers, water stations, or wastewater disposal facilities. 

The type of units served may affect requirements for service buildings, water stations, toilet facilities, and sanitary dump stations. 

Water provided to showers should be warm but not exceed 120°F to help prevent scalding injuries. 

Facility operators are responsible for maintaining the property in a sanitary condition that does not provide harborage for rodents, insects, or other pests. This includes proper refuse management, vegetation maintenance, elimination of standing water, and routine facility upkeep. 

Yes. Pets are generally permitted; however, they may not be allowed to run at large or create a nuisance within the facility. Facility operators are responsible for addressing pet-related issues and ensuring pets are appropriately controlled. 

Yes. Public swimming pools and spas located at a campground, trailer court, work camp, or youth camp must be separately licensed and operated in accordance with applicable state regulations. 

Swimming pools and spas are regulated under a separate licensing program and may require plan review, inspections, and annual licensing. Contact GCCHD if you are planning to construct, modify, or operate a pool or spa. 

Complaints and Concerns

Complaints may be submitted online, by email, by phone, or in person. 

When submitting a complaint, please provide as much information as possible, including: 

  • Facility name 
  • Facility address or location 
  • Description of the concern 
  • Date and time the issue occurred 
  • Your contact information (optional) 

Providing detailed information helps GCCHD evaluate and investigate the concern more efficiently.

Yes. Anonymous complaints may be submitted; however, providing contact information may assist GCCHD if additional information is needed during the investigation. 

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Helpful Links and Resources

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Contact Us:

Call: 406-582-3120
Email: ehs@gallatin.mt.gov

Temporary Office Location:

400 E. Babcock Street, Bozeman

Questions?

If you have questions regarding trailer courts, campgrounds, youth camps, or work camps, please contact the Gallatin City-County Health Department Environmental Health Division. 

Please note: Approval by GCCHD does not constitute approval under all other applicable federal, state, local, zoning, building, fire, business licensing, labeling, or land use requirements. Operators are responsible for obtaining all other required approvals and permits.