Giant American Flag Causes Dispute Between RV Dealership, Local Government: Reports

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA — A recreational vehicle dealership in Northern California recently found itself in a dispute with the local government over a very large American flag, according to reports.

Camping World RV Sales took down its giant flag in the spring due to safety concerns and a lack of permission from San Joaquin County, FOX 40 News reported.

The county told the station the business installed its flagpole without a permit or planning approval. In a later statement to FOX Business, the county said the 130-foot pole required a permit but that it never asked Camping World to remove the actual flag and that the permit was expected to be issued Thursday.

"At no time did (Community Development Department) staff instruct Camping World to remove the flag,” the statement said, according to FOX Business. “The issue has been solely with the height of the flagpole.”

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis on Monday ordered the dealership put the flag back up, defending the flagpole’s safety to FOX 40 News.

“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,” he told the station. “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.”