People living in the Regional District of Nanaimo and currently using their RVs as a permanent residence will be allowed to continue to do so, for now.
They will be allowed to do so at least until the RDN adopts its comprehensive land-use Bylaw 2500, replacing Bylaw 500. A bylaw amendment aims to clarify the definition of length of stay from ‘temporary’ or ‘seasonal’ to a set amount of time of six months or less at campgrounds, RV parks and RV resorts.
At a special electoral area services committee meeting June 19, committee members discussed a staff recommendation that the board suspend bylaw enforcement for length of stay of existing RVs located in campgrounds, resort vehicle parks and RV parks in Electoral Areas A, C, E, F, G, and H until the completion of Phase 2 of the bylaw review.
Prior to making its recommendation, the committee heard two delegations opposed to any plans to restrict the use of RVs as a permanent dwelling place.
Nanoose Bay resident Zoe Todd told the committee that with the present affordable housing crisis, now is not the right time to deter people from using RVs as their home.
"A lot of conversations have necessarily focused on legalizing full-time, permanent dwelling in RVs in parks and resorts," said Todd. "This is a key of how I think we will be able to address the core housing need in the region. However, the need for RV spots in the province greatly outstrips what is available. And when RV parks are full, and RVs are banned outright in residential zones, folks are forced to boondock in precarious areas."
In conversations with regional first responders, Todd said she was informed that when people are parking their RVs in remote areas out of fear of being found by a bylaw officer and evicted, they put themselves in vulnerable positions.
"They do not have access to the necessary services that they need and desire and deserve," said Todd. "They do not have the dignity of a permanent address. And also first responders can have trouble finding people who are boondocking in these areas outside of communities in emergencies. And this creates a significant concern for being able to reach people in time. So, we legalize RV dwelling and regulate it in a way that enables us to make sure people have all of those needs met."
Oceanside Affordable Housing started a petition that now has more than 500 signatures asking for a compassionate approach to legalizing and regulating RVs and tiny homes in that part of the RDN.
There are no zones in the electoral areas that allow long-term stays in RVs in campgrounds and RV parks, and the newly drafted Bylaw 2500, which is still in review, aims to make that clear.
At present, only temporary accommodation is permitted for people travelling in RVs and staying at designated campgrounds or RV parks. The RDN has not been enforcing the length of stay regulations and will only do that when concerns are raised on issues that include safety, expansion or building without a permit, development in environmentally sensitive areas or other land use compliance matter.
Lisa Grant, general manager planning and development, informed the committee that RVs are not considered a form of housing for full-time living as they do not B.C. building code standards and other building regulations. That's because issues such as proper servicing, disposal of grey water and sewage, mould, etc. are challenges for full-time living in RVs.
"We do recognize that housing and shelter costs have risen, and staff understands that many people are living in RVs as a form of affordable housing in campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks," said Grant. "Property zoned for permitted uses generally have appropriate zoning, siting, fire protection, water, sewer disposal, garbage collection in place to operate year-round."