Recreational Units (RVs)

Yes, you can use your Recreational Unit (RV) to stay on your property if there's no permanent house. However, there are some conditions:

1. Recreational Unit use is allowed as a discretionary use in certain land use districts.
2. You need a Development Permit for a maximum of 3 years to use your RV on the property.
3. If you want to continue using the RV beyond the initial 3 year period, you must reapply for the permit before it expires.
4. If there's a new application that changes the land use, you must remove the RV.

For information about permit fees, you can refer to Schedule C of the Fees & Charges Bylaw.

RV use for a 3-year term is only allowed in the following districts:

• Lakeshore Residential
• Wizard Lake Watershed
• Recreational (subject to Section 10.21 Recreational District)
• Watershed Protection (greater than 32. ha (80 ac) only)
• Agricultural (greater than 32. ha (80 ac) only)
• Severed Agricultural (greater than 32. ha (80 ac) only)

To find out how many Recreational Units (RVs) you are allowed on your property, refer to Appendix H: Recreational Unit Matrix of the Land Use Bylaw. This matrix provides information on the allowed number of recreational units based on the district and parcel size of your property.

Short Term Camping means the RV can be placed for a maximum of fourteen (14) consecutive days. After this period, the unit must be removed from the property or stored for at least seventy-two (72) hours.

Recreational Unit Storage means the storage of RVs outdoors or inside a permanent structure. During storage, the units should be disconnected from most services, except for electrical, and accessories like slides and canopies should be put away.

In the Country Residential and Restricted Country Residential districts where there is no permanent house on a piece of land, the Development Officer may allow the temporary use of Recreational Units (RVs) as a time-limited accessory use. This permission is granted at the same time as the approval for building a house on the land through a Development Permit and is only valid from April to October and lasts for 12 months from the Development Permit's issuance. If the house isn't finished by the time this temporary permission ends, the RV must be taken off the land, unless the Development Officer approves a new permit allowing continued RV use.

To find out what district your property is in, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Interactive County Map on the County website.
2. Use the search function to locate your specific property on the map.
3. Once you find your property, click on it.
4. Look for the Zoning Code information associated with your property.

The Zoning Code will indicate the specific district your property falls under. This information can provide details about the permitted uses, regulations, and other zoning-related guidelines for your property.

• Where a house exists on a parcel of land under one (1) acre, a maximum of five (5) Recreational Units may be present.
• Where a house exists on a parcel of land between one (1) and two (2) acres, a maximum of ten (10) Recreational Units may be present.
• Where a house exists or does not exist on a parcel of land between over two (2) acres and less than twenty (20) acres, a maximum of twenty (20) Recreational Units may be present.
• Whether a house exists or does not exist on a parcel of land twenty (20) acres or greater, a maximum of thirty (30) Recreational Vehicles may be present.

To accommodate family functions, reunions, weddings, and other similar functions that are associated with temporary use of Recreational Units, a written application must be provided to the County in accordance with Recreational Units During Family Functions Policy (amended by Bylaw 2021/60).

Yes, you can have Recreational Units (RVs) on your property for family and friends during a function, but you will need to obtain a permit and approval. This is necessary for temporary use of RVs on your property during events such as reunions, weddings, celebrations (birthdays, holidays, etc.).

However, there are some conditions:

1. Approvals are only allowed within properties districted as Institutional, Recreational, Watershed Protection, Wizard Lake Watershed, Agricultural, Residential (except Urban Residential), Mobile Home, or High-Density Rural Residential.
2. The use or function must comply with all Municipal, Provincial, and Federal legislation, including the County's Noise Bylaw and regulatory requirements for the disposal of wastewater.

To know what your property is distracted as, click on County Interactive Map to search your property. 

1. Complete a Recreational Vehicles During Family Functions Application, including the following information:
   • Name of the Landowner(s)
   • Legal description of the property
   • Type of event and the number of expected RVs
   • Dates and time of the event
   • Site plan showing the location on the property, describing the number and placement of Recreational Units (RVs) during the event
2. Access the application form. 
3. Email the completed application to the Planning and Development Department for review and consideration.
4. The Planning and Development Department will review the applications, and satisfactory applications will be granted approval in writing.
5. Relevant County Departments, including the County’s Protective Services Department, will be notified of the approved applications.

Make sure to provide accurate and complete information in your application to facilitate the review process. If you have any questions or need assistance, you may contact the Planning and Development Department for guidance. 

Temporary Recreational Units (RVs) can be allowed on your property for your function for a maximum of ninety-six (96) hours or four (4) days, provided you obtain a permit and approval from the County.

Recreational Vehicles During Family Functions application.

Applications can be emailed to Planning and Development for review and consideration. Satisfactory applications will be granted approval in writing and relevant County Departments, including the County’s Protective Services Department will be notified.

You can apply for a Recreational Units (RVs) During Family Functions permit a maximum of two (2) times per year for a specific parcel. However, if you need additional permits beyond this limit, you can submit a written request email to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) seeking further approval. The decision to grant additional permits will be at the discretion of the CAO.