Draft Travel Trailer License By-law
Notice of Public Hearing to consider a general amendment to the Zoning By-law 2014-23
Notice of Passage of By-law 2021-50
The current Zoning By-law 2014-23:
- use of travel trailers is only permitted on properties zoned Commercial Tourist and Waterfront Commercial Tourist Zone
- does not define ‘Park Model Trailer’
The purpose of the Zoning By-law Amendment is:
- to remove the restrictions for the use of travel trailers from the Zoning By-law and to replace and enforce it through the introduction of a Travel Trailer Licensing By-law.; and
- to add a Definition of ‘Park Model Trailer’ and amend the Definition of ‘Recreational Vehicle’, to correct inconsistencies between the Zoning By-law and the Official Plan and to allow its use only on properties zoned Commercial Tourist and Waterfront Commercial Tourist.
- ‘Park Model Trailers’ are a specific type of seasonal-use structure regulated under the Ontario Building Code and constructed to a particular CSA Standard.
The Licensing By-law will be considered by Council the same evening as the Public Hearing for the Zoning Amendment and it proposes to:
- Allow for the application of an Annual License (annual fee) of travel trailers on properties zoned Waterfront Residential (up to 1 licensed trailer), Rural (up to 2 licensed trailers) and Residential Rural (up to 2 licensed trailers)
- Allow for the application of Special Occasion Licenses (no fee) for the short-term use of travel trailers on properties zoned Waterfront Residential, Rural, Residential Rural, Residential One, Institutional and Open Space for family gatherings, weddings, baseball tournaments, horse shows, fairs, etc.
- Allow for the short term use of travel trailers up to 14 days on properties zoned Waterfront Residential, Rural, Residential Rural and Residential One
- Maintain the prohibition of the use of travel trailers on vacant land
- Protect the environment by ensuring that proper approvals for sewage are obtained by the appropriate authority and that the regulations in each appropriate zone continue to conform to the current’s regulations under the Zoning By-law 2014-23 and Licensing By-law agreement
- Provide enforcement mechanism when voluntary compliance is not achieved while attempting to strike a balance between those who oppose the use of travel trailers and those who wish to use travel trailers for short- or long-term licensing
- Set the following Annual License fees:
- $400.00 for applications received on or after April 1
- $320.00 for applications received before April 1
- consider a reduced fee for annual renewals
Background Information
Since 2016, the Municipality has undergone extensive research, analysis, and public consultation. The following table represents a complete history of this matter.
Municipality of French River Travel Trailer Timeline | |
Date | Description |
December 2016
| The Director of Planning presented a Report to the Sudbury East Planning Board as directed, to report on enforcement options for travel trailer contraventions of the Zoning By-law.
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January 2017 | The Director of Planning and the Chief Building Officials in Sudbury East met and agreed that the best practice moving forward would be of having a general amendment to the Zoning By-law to create a licensing by-law for allow travel trailers in certain zones and to hire a full time Municipal Law Enforcement Officer.
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January 2017 | The Director of Planning presented a Report to the Sudbury East Planning Board as directed, to report on a review and comparison on how other Ontario Municipalities handle enforcement of travel trailer contravention.
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January 2017 Minutes of Meeting held January 18, 2017
| The Director of Planning’s report dated January 12, 2017 was presented to Council for discussion - staff requested Council to review the report and be ready to make a recommendation at their next meeting.
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February 2017 | Council agreed to establish an Ad hoc committee to consider amendments to provisions for Travel Trailers in the Zoning By-law. The Committee met twice on February 3, 2017 and on August 29, 2017 to produce draft zoning amendments and a licensing by-law to present to Council.
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July 2017 | The Ad Hoc Committee presented drafts for information only, discussion for a later meeting.
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August 2017 | Council deferred the Motion to provide comments to the Sudbury East Planning Board. |
September 2017 | Ad Hoc Committee Chair presented to Council the comments to be reflected in the draft by-laws.
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September 2017 | Council agreed to provide redrafted by-laws to the Sudbury East Planning Board which contains the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee.
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June 2018 Agenda of Meeting held June 20, 2018
| Report to Council to provide an update and to recommend a course of action for a consultation period and implementation plan. - no decision was made
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July 2018 Agenda of Meeting held July 18, 2018 Minutes of Meeting held July 18, 2018
| The Council considered the June 15, 2018 report and agreed to the consultation period, message & timelines. |
September 2018 Agenda of Meeting held September 5, 2018 Minutes of Meeting held September 5, 2018
| Report to Council - consultation comments shared with Council, due to the upcoming election and lame duck period, recommendation to delay any further action to the next term of council.
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January 2019 | Report to New Council - review, update, and analyze consultation results. Council agreed to further consultation with a survey.
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June 2019 | Report to Council - results of survey and recommendation on options. Council agreed to permit travel trailers in certain zones and to apply to amend the Zoning By-law and to adopt a licensing by-law.
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June 2020 | Report to Council - update of process and report on consultation with a Planner/Lawyer and updated draft by-laws. Council agreed to proceed as reported.
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November 2020 | Report to Council - update of process and presented options. Council agreed to proceed with Option 2.
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April 2021 | Report to Council - reported on updated Travel Trailer License By-law and sought direction on fees. Council agreed on fees.
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June 2021 | Submitted the Zoning By-law Amendment Application to the Sudbury East Planning Board |