The Travel Trailer License By-Law adopted in 2021 can now be implemented.
Travel Trailer License By-law 2021-51
Zoning By-law Amendment By-law 2021-50
*Applications will be accepted starting February 1, 2024
Enforcement
Starting July 15th, 2024, if you are using a Travel Trailer on your residential property for more than 14 days in that year, you will require a Travel Trailer Licence.
Did you know
Before this by-law was enacted, the use of a travel trailer within the Municipality of French River on non-commercial lots was illegal. Therefore, the Travel Trailer By-law allows trailers (on specified properties identified within the Zoning By-law) to be used for up to 14 days without a license and will allow for longer use between May and November with a license granted from the Municipality.
Please note! – A licence cannot be issued for a Travel Trailer on a vacant lot unless a Building Permit has been issued.
The purpose of the Travel Trailer License By-law is 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 for 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 the appropriate authority obtains proper approvals for sewage and that the regulations in each appropriate zone continue to conform to the current regulations under the Zoning By-law 2014-23 and Licensing By-law Agreement
- Provide enforcement mechanisms 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
Educational Period
An educational period is in effect until July 15, 2024, to allow residents to educate themselves on the new regulations for using travel trailers on certain residential properties for short-term use or for seasonal use through a licence. During this time, in-person visits and inspections may also take place on properties using travel trailers in contravention of the by-law; the educational period will give those an opportunity to make any modifications they may need to be in compliance.
Travel Trailer By-law - Timeline
Since 2016, the Municipality has undergone extensive research, analysis, and public consultation. The following table represents a complete history of this matter.
Date | Description |
December 2016 Report dated December 8, 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. |
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 to have a general amendment to the Zoning By-law to create a licensing by-law for allowing travel trailers in certain zones and to hire a full-time Municipal Law Enforcement Officer. |
January 2017 Report dated January 12, 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. |
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. |
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. |
July 2017 | The Ad Hoc Committee presented drafts for information only, discussion for a later meeting. |
August 2017 | Council deferred the Motion to provide comments to the Sudbury East Planning Board. |
September 2017 | Ad Hoc Committee Chair made a presentation to Council on the comments to be reflected in the draft by-laws. |
September 2017 | Council agreed to provide redrafted by-laws to the Sudbury East Planning Board, which contain the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee. |
June 2018 Agenda of Meeting held June 20, 2018
| Report to Council to provide an update and recommend a course of action for a consultation and implementation plan. - No decision was made |
July 2018 Agenda of Meeting held July 18, 2018 Minutes of Meeting held July 18, 2018 Notice Package | 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. |
January 2019 | Report to New Council - review, update, and analyze consultation results. Council agreed to further consultation with a survey. |
June 2019 | Report to Council - results of survey and recommendation on options. Council agreed to permit travel trailers in certain zones to apply to amend the Zoning By-law and to adopt a licensing by-law. |
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. |
November 2020 | Report to Council - update of process and presented options. Council agreed to proceed with Option 2. |
April 2021 | Report to Council - reported on updated Travel Trailer License By-law and sought direction on fees. Council agreed on fees. |
June 2021 | Submitted the Zoning By-law Amendment Application to the Sudbury East Planning Board |
September 15, 2021 | Zoning By-law Public Hearing - Adoption of Zoning By-law Amendment By-Law 2021-50 - First & Second Reading of Travel Trailer License By-law 2021-51 |
October 6, 2021 | Third and Final Reading of Travel Trailer License By-law 2021-51 |
October 1, 2021 | Receipt of Appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal for Zoning By-law Amendment By-law 2021-50 - Zoning By-law Amendment and Licensing By-law on hold during the appeal |
June 14, 2023 | Appeals Withdrawn -by-laws now in effect |