Camp Moxy Jo’s temporarily shuts down over city codes

Throughout the summer of 2025, Camp Moxy Jo’s in Federal Way was buzzing with community-building and fun, from the free concert series to fundraisers for local nonprofits to welcoming international, regional and local guests to stay in the circle of creatively decorated vintage RVs that ring a community campfire.

Camp Moxy Jo’s also features friendly goats, lawn games, a tiki bar, an indoor/outdoor living room complete with a fireplace and board games, and endless opportunities for community-building and connection.

Quirky and colorful signage and decor guide visitors around the site at 34306 33rd Place SW. Owner Joanna Hall told the Mirror the space she has created is inspired by locations like McMenamins and her own love for building community and bringing people together.

As the summer started to fade, Hall was preparing to host Halloween-themed events when she got the first email from the city.

Her goats, RVs, signage and more were violating city code, and she would have to shut down.

Hall called the city and has been in communication with code enforcement ever since, working with them to learn how she can shift her business in order to reopen in the spring.

“I’ve come to understand that continuing operations will require rezoning, permitting for various parts of the property, and regulations regarding the goats would need to be amended. I’m respectfully asking each member of the city council to hear my plea to remain in operation,” Hall shared during public comment at city council on Jan. 20.

Hall brought with her letters of support from community members, guests who have stayed at the location and the neighbors surrounding her property.

Christine Krug is a FUSION board member and resident of the area since 1991, and said in her letter of support that “Moxy Jo’s is a true gem that should be protected at all costs.”

Krug shared that Joanna has already brought one of her camper vans to a FUSION event for the children there to enjoy.

“Federal Way absolutely needs a Camp Moxy Jo’s as a curated playground where they can unplug from our technology-saturated lives and just make a campfire, mingle with goats and relax in the sunshine with new friends and old,” Krug added.

The vintage RVs and other unique options for overnight stays form a ring, an intentional move to connect guests to each other owner Joanna Hall said. Courtesy photo.

City codes and goats

The creative and multifunctional space of Camp Moxy Jo’s defies definition. What began as a large residential parcel now includes several recreational vehicles and camper trailers that are rented out by guests on sites like AirBnb and HipCamp. The site holds free concerts, artist residencies and camping workshops.

So is it a campground? A home-based business? A trailer park? An event venue?

The city isn’t sure either.

So far, the city’s code enforcement has told Hall she is violating RV limits on residential property, which in addition to RV parking restrictions in other zoning, have become increasingly restrictive in the past few years.

This tightening of the city code was mostly due to concerns around nuisance vehicles, but even as city leaders were discussing the code, they admitted there could be unforeseen consequences and even delayed voting on an amendment at one point to allow more time for thoughtful consideration.

Chapter 19.130 of the city’s code dictates that Federal Way residents are not permitted to store more than one recreational vehicle, utility trailer or boat on their residential property at a time.

Federal Way residents are also not legally permitted to allow anyone to stay in an RV on their property other than themselves. They are not allowed to occupy or use their own recreational vehicle, on their own property, as permanent or temporary housing unless in the case of disaster or accident such as fire, wind or earthquake.

Federal Way also has one of the most restrictive codes in the region when it comes to keeping goats within the city.

Camp Moxy Jo’s is on a land parcel that is 48,074 square feet, or 1.10 acres, and she currently has two miniature and two typical-sized goats on the property.

The city told the Mirror in an email that “since her property does not meet the size requirements listed under 19.260.060, the goats are not allowed.”

Federal Way requires anywhere from approximately two to four times as much space as other local cities:

• Burien: “Sheep, full sized goats and similar sized livestock animals: 2 per .25 acre of area available for the animal’s occupancy.”

• Renton: “2 on lots that are at least 1 gross acre in size. On lots that are larger than 1 gross acre, 1 additional large lot domestic animal may be kept per additional 43,560 sq. ft.”

• Auburn: “Two large domestic animals can be kept on lots that are at least one acre in size.”

• Kent: “Large domesticated animals are permitted only on lots of at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet subject to the provisions of Ch. 8.03 KCC.” and “One (1) large domesticated animal for every ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area is permitted.”

In Federal Way, no large domestic animals are allowed on any property smaller than 70,000 square feet, then one additional large domestic animal is permitted for each additional 35,000 square feet of lot area.

Each city code also contains specifications for animal care and well-being, disposal of waste, noise and setbacks from other residential properties or the street.

Hall said she first purchased the goats o keep control of the blackberry bushes that covered her large property when she purchased it. Owning goats had also been a lifelong dream of hers.

After clearing the land of the blackberry bushes with the help of the goats and a machete, the plants have stayed under control, she said, and the goats have become one of the many unique features that draw people to the property.

Guests enjoy the tiki bar area at Camp Moxy Jo’s in 2025. Photo by Anita Nowacka.

Next steps

Hall is exploring every possible avenue to be able to continue to share her unique space with the community. She’s looking at purchasing an adjoining property to increase the square footage of her space and even exploring buying land in another city to house the goats if that doesn’t work out. She’s covered the handmade sign that a neighbor crafted for her that guided people to her space, since it violates city signage code.

At the city council meeting Jan. 20, she shared that she realizes she was naive of the extent of the wide-ranging restrictions in Federal Way and is now doing everything she can to come into compliance.

Several council members shared their support for Camp Moxy Jo’s at the council meeting and stated they hope that the city can work with her to find a way to support the continuation of her business and community work.

A concert from Camp Moxy Jo’s summer sessions in 2025. Photo by Anita Nowacka.

Camp Moxy Jo’s features unique aspects, from its camper vans and vintage RVs to goats and colorful gathering spaces. Courtesy photo.

Several fire pits draw guests to the property together. Owner Joanna Hall is always happy to help guests learn how to start a campfire if they are unsure how to. Courtesy photo.