Camping World CEO's Giant Flag Dispute Ends: Permit Approved

After a year-long stalemate, San Joaquin County has granted a permit to Camping World for its towering 130-foot U.S. flag pole in French Camp, California, following an outcry from veterans and local officials.

San Joaquin County officials have granted a permit to Camping World for its towering 130-foot U.S. flag pole in French Camp, California, after a year-long stalemate and an outcry from veterans and local officials.

The dispute began in 2023 when Camping World installed the massive flag pole without obtaining a permit. County officials initially denied the permit, citing concerns about the pole's stability and compliance with zoning regulations. However, after months of negotiations and the submission of engineering drawings, the county approved the permit this week.

Camping World CEO's Giant Flag Dispute Ends: Permit Approved

Tom Patti, a member of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, said the county received documentation from Camping World and approved the company's plans. Patti, a former boxer who trained with Mike Tyson, said he was approached by numerous voters, many of them veterans, to defend the flag.

"These guys go forward, they put big flag poles into the ground, but they don't go for advanced permitting in any capacity," Patti said. "If it becomes an issue, the company winds up getting massive public support – and potential new customers."

Camping World CEO's Giant Flag Dispute Ends: Permit Approved

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, who immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon, is a staunch defender of the flag and has been involved in similar standoffs with local authorities around the country. In 2019, he told Fox News that he'd rather get locked up than shrink the scale of his patriotic displays.

Patti said he didn't believe that Camping World would risk installing an unsafe base. The retailer has similar large flags at many of its 250 locations around the country.

Camping World CEO's Giant Flag Dispute Ends: Permit Approved

"I'm certain that Camping World is not looking for lawsuits in the future," he said. "We are taking their word for it."

County zoning rules require permits for structures above 30 feet tall. Camping World's flag pole stretched 130 feet skyward. San Joaquin officials have denied claims that they ordered the retailer to take down the flag or issued any citations.

Camping World CEO's Giant Flag Dispute Ends: Permit Approved

The county requested site plans and engineering drawings in June 2023 after the flag went up before the retailer got a permit. Partial plans were turned over in December and the full documents arrived in June 2024.

Lemonis had the flag raised on Monday, days before the permit came through.

Camping World CEO's Giant Flag Dispute Ends: Permit Approved

In a statement, the county said some of its employees had been harassed and threatened over the standoff and asked for people to show "common decency and courtesy.""We want to express our appreciation for your patriotism. We fully support the display of our flag and welcome local businesses, especially those that share our patriotic spirit," the county wrote in a letter to concerned residents. "However, we do require adherence to the permitting process to ensure safety and proper access for everyone."