An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.
Summary
HB516 amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act by revising the definition of “recreational cabin” and adding a new definition for “recreational campground.” The bill narrows and clarifies when a structure can qualify as a recreational cabin by specifying that it must be used principally for recreation, not used as a residence or domicile at any time, not used for commercial purposes except in limited campground or state park settings, and not serve as a mailing address, workplace, or listed residence on key identification and tax documents.
The bill also defines “recreational campground” as a lodging establishment with five or more designated campsites that may include privately owned or campground-owned lodging and certain amenities such as electric and sewer hookups, bath houses, stores, recreation areas, or pools. It expressly allows seasonal sites and year-round trailer placement for approved guests, while making clear that such use cannot amount to a permanent residence. The definition excludes recreational vehicle and tent campsites in state parks.
Impact
HB516 would affect how certain structures and campground facilities are classified under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, which can influence whether they are subject to particular construction code requirements, enforcement standards, or exemptions tied to recreational use. By tightening the recreational cabin definition and creating a specific campground category, the bill provides clearer statutory guidance for municipalities, the Department of Labor and Industry, campground operators, and property owners regarding seasonal and recreational lodging.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or recorded sentiment in the available materials. Based on the bill’s text and bipartisan-looking sponsorship list, the measure appears to be a technical clarification aimed at resolving ambiguity in code definitions rather than a highly controversial policy change. The overall tone of the legislation is administrative and definitional.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the line between recreational use and residential use, especially for seasonal campers, trailer sites, and campground-owned lodging that may be occupied for extended periods. Stakeholders such as campground owners, local governments, code officials, and property owners may differ on whether the new definitions are sufficiently clear or whether they could expand or limit regulatory obligations. Another possible issue is the exclusion of state park campsites from the new campground definition, which may be viewed as a necessary carve-out by some and an inconsistency by others.