San Joaquin County officials have clarified that they did not order Camping World in French Camp to take down its giant American flag, despite recent reports and social media claims suggesting otherwise.
Camping World, known for its large American flags displayed outside its stores, had not flown its flag for several months at the location just south of Stockton. This week, after reports surfaced alleging the county ordered the flag's removal, CEO Marcus Lemonis directed the store to raise the flag once again, earning praise on social media as a "patriot."
However, county officials stated on Friday that the flag’s absence was due to a permitting issue, not an order to remove it. The flagpole, which stands at 130 feet, exceeds the 30-foot height limit outlined in the 2022 California Building Code, requiring a building permit that Camping World had not obtained.
Jennifer Jolley, the county's director of community development, explained that a complaint in June 2023 led to the discovery that the flagpole lacked a permit. Although Camping World submitted engineered plans in December 2023, they did not include a required site plan until June 2024. The county issued the permit on Thursday after consulting with CalTrans to ensure the flagpole would not pose a safety risk to nearby Interstate 5.
Following the media attention, some county staff have faced harassment and threats. Miguel Villapudua, chairman of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, urged the public to remain respectful. He emphasized that the issue was one of safety and compliance, not opposition to flying the American flag.
This incident is not the first time Lemonis has defied local ordinances. In 2019, he faced fines in Statesville, North Carolina, for flying a flag larger than what local regulations permitted.
The situation at Camping World highlights the balance between patriotic expression and the need for adherence to safety regulations, with both sides voicing strong opinions on the matter.
