Major camping retailer shocks woke officials when they demanded it removes huge American flag

Camping World have hit back at California officials after they demanded the company take down their huge American flag from the front of their store. 

The RV sales store in Stockton, San Joaquin County, like the vast majority of their other outlets, has a huge Old Glory flying over its ground. 

In April, the San Joaquin County Community Development halted the flag however for alleged safety reasons and lack of permission. 

According to Fox40, the county said there was concerns about the flag pole's foundation, the proximity to property lines and a nearby interstate should it fall. 

Camping World's CEO Marcus Lemonis found out about the dispute and has since ordered the dealership to restore the Star Spangled Banner. 

The RV sales store in Stockton, San Joaquin County, like the vast majority of their other outlets, has a huge Old Glory flying over its ground

In April, the San Joaquin County Community Development halted the flag however for alleged safety reasons and lack of permission. An unknown Camping World store is seen here

Speaking to the outlet, Lemonis said: 'If we felt like we were putting people in danger or causing any issues with air traffic, which would absolutely not be okay, then I wouldn’t do it.'

He added that the flag has been installed sensibly and securely with severe inclement weather in mind and is driven deep into the ground. 

Lemonis said that if it were a marketing pole he might allow it be permanently removed but the American flag is there to stay, no matter what officials say.  

Lemonis said Camping World’s flag is installed sensibly and securely, with severe weather in mind. It’s also driven deep into the ground.

He said: 'It’s symbolism about how we feel about this country. We have a lot of veterans who work for us, and a lot of veterans who shop with us.

'I happen to be an immigrant. I was given the blessing of being able to enter this country and become a citizen, and I’m grateful for it. 

'It’s been part of my life since I was a little child down in Miami, Florida where we had the largest flag pole in Miami at our car dealership.'

Lemonis, seen here, said Camping World’s flag is installed sensibly and securely, with severe weather in mind. It’s also driven deep into the ground

The county said in a statement: 'Camping World’s flagpole was installed with neither a building permit nor planning approval, therefore they are in conversation with the code enforcement division.'

Officials reiterated on Friday that they had never asked Camping World to remove the flag from the premises and that the business didn't have a permit for it. 

Jennifer Jolley, director of community development, told Recordnet: 'Our code enforcement followed their process, they investigated it, and they determined that it had been erected without a building permit. 

'A code enforcement case was opened and the business was informed that they needed to get a building permit for the flagpole.'

Officials reiterated on Friday that they had never asked Camping World to remove the flag from the premises and that they business didn't have a permit for it

The 2022 California Building Code adopted by San Joaquin County requires building permits for flagpoles that are taller than 30 feet.

This isn't the first time Lemonis has irked city officials with a similar situation unfolding in Statesville, North Carolina, in 2019.

His store in the city, which was then known as Gander RV, had flown a 3,200 sq-ft American flag that the city complained violates ordinance. 

Lemonis said then that he was prepared to be arrested and sent to jail, saying: 'As I told the city…it's not coming down under any circumstance.

An injunction was filed by Statesville City Attorney Leah Messick which if he didn't address would see him spend time in jail. 

Speaking then he said: 'I would never want to break the law or be in contempt of any court of any kind, but in this particular situation.

'I understand that if I don't comply with that order that I could and would be arrested and out in jail until the flag came down.'

City leaders later decided to rezone the area around the store to allow the flag to stay within compliance.