Are Campgrounds subject to Innkeeper laws?
An interesting question came up recently. Are Campgrounds covered under Innkeeper laws, aka Hospitality laws? Such laws are designed to protect both the guest and the operator of lodging facilities.
Here is a link to an example in Maine:
Maine Legislature Title 30-A
How does this affect us campers?
1. We always hear about bad neighbors who do not follow rules and disturb others, thinking the CG has no recourse. If under Innkeeper laws, CG's can eject a person for disturbing other guests.
2. On the other hand, we have CG owners who believe they can eject guests on a whim, fail to post rules, or deny accommodations to campers.
3. Would the common requirements to find alternative lodging to reserved campers apply if the camper cannot fit into the CG-assigned site?
Let's keep this general, not aimed at any specific camper or CG owners.
So. Do they apply to CG's or not?
Here is a link to an example in Maine:
Maine Legislature Title 30-A
§3838. Refusal or denial of accommodations; ejection(Brackets removed from formatting)
An innkeeper or campground owner may refuse or deny any accommodations, facilities or privileges of a hotel, lodging house or campground to or may eject from the hotel, lodging house or campground premises: 1997, c. 59, §1 (AMD).
1. Person unwilling or unable to pay. Any person who is unwilling or unable to pay for accommodations and services of the hotel, lodging house or campground. The innkeeper or campground owner may require the prospective guest to demonstrate the ability to pay by cash, valid credit card or a validated check;
1997, c. 59, §1 (AMD) .
2. Minor. Any person who has not attained 18 years of age. An innkeeper or campground owner may, at the innkeeper's or campground owner's discretion, grant the accommodations, facilities and privileges of a hotel, lodging house or campground to a minor if that minor:
A. Presents a signed notification from a parent that the parent accepts liability for the guest room or campground site costs, taxes, all charges by the minor and any damages to the guest room or its furnishings or to the campground site caused by the minor while a guest at the hotel, lodging house or campground; and 2005, c. 185, §4 (AMD).
B. Provides the innkeeper or campground owner with a valid credit card number or cash deposit to cover the guest room or campground site costs, taxes, charges by the minor and any damages to the guest room or its furnishings or to the campground site caused by the minor. Any cash deposit provided must be refunded to the extent not used to cover any charges or damages as determined by the innkeeper or campground owner following room or campground site inspection at check-out; 1997, c. 59, §1 (AMD).
2005, c. 185, §4 (AMD) .
3. Property dangerous to others. Any person the innkeeper or campground owner reasonably believes is bringing in property that may be dangerous to other persons, such as firearms or explosives;
1997, c. 59, §1 (AMD) .
4. Limit on occupants exceeded. Any person or persons, if admitting that person or those persons would cause the limit on the number of persons who may occupy any particular guest room in the hotel or lodging house or a site in the campground to be exceeded. For purposes of this subsection, the limit represents the number permitted by local ordinances or reasonable standards of the hotel, lodging house or campground relating to health, safety or sanitation; or
1997, c. 59, §1 (AMD) .
5. Violates laws or rules; endangers others. Any person who:
A. Disturbs, threatens or endangers other guests; 1995, c. 88, §3 (NEW).
B. Is a minor and possesses or uses alcohol; 1995, c. 88, §3 (NEW).
C. Possesses or uses illegal drugs; or 1995, c. 88, §3 (NEW).
D. Violates any rule of the hotel, lodging house or campground that is posted in a conspicuous place and manner at the guest registration desk and in each guest room. 1997, c. 59, §1 (AMD).
Nothing in this section authorizes an innkeeper or campground owner to violate the Maine Human Rights Act, Title 5, chapter 337.
How does this affect us campers?
1. We always hear about bad neighbors who do not follow rules and disturb others, thinking the CG has no recourse. If under Innkeeper laws, CG's can eject a person for disturbing other guests.
2. On the other hand, we have CG owners who believe they can eject guests on a whim, fail to post rules, or deny accommodations to campers.
3. Would the common requirements to find alternative lodging to reserved campers apply if the camper cannot fit into the CG-assigned site?
Let's keep this general, not aimed at any specific camper or CG owners.
So. Do they apply to CG's or not?
