Prompted by an unwelcome visitor to the Island County Fairgrounds campgrounds, the Langley City Council is looking to write rules outlining the length of stay for campers in city limits.

The council took up the issue during its meeting May 18 and heard of the change from Police Chief Dave Marks.

Marks said his department has been contacted several times about a family staying at the campgrounds, which is county property located just outside of city limits. The derelict state of the camping trailer and surrounding area has caused consternation from some passersby and residents, but Marks can’t evict them as long as they pay the fee.

Langley does not have any codes restricting the length of stay in a camper, contrary to popular belief of a two-week limit.

“You want to make sure you have something in your hand when someone calls your bluff,” Marks said.

The city is looking to adopt a $100-per-day fine after the two-week limit, based on a state policy for Washington State Parks.

“What we’re doing is consistent and quite defensible with the state,” Director of Community Planning Michael Davolio said.

One of several exceptions is a 30-day permit during a six-month window. Councilman Jim Sundberg asked that the city planner take into account seasonal residents who host family and friends in campers during the summer.

Councilman Thomas Gill said he was also concerned that this may impact college students who are home for the summer staying in a parent’s recreational vehicle. He also asked for an exception for residents needing disaster relief who may need to stay in a camper while their house is unsafe for occupancy.

Davolio said the Community Planning department would use discretion when enforcing the rules, designed to prevent a temporary residence from becoming “a dump.”

The rules were approved to have a second reading by the council at its next meeting, June 1.