A few weeks ago I was accused of starting THIS PETITION. So not true, and you can read about the witch hunt  HERE.

I am starting a petition today: You can find it HERE, and its about letting the residents of Cobourg park their RV’s in their driveways.  Believe it or not, our zoning bylaws ban anyone from parking an RV 2o feet or longer on their own property, and its is an trying process to try and get an exemption.

I own an RV, and I have spent the last 3 years trying to figure out how to change this bylaw, and finally, the zoning bylaws are changing and its time to speak up!

The Town of Cobourg isn’t changing its Zoning Bylaw for RV  parking on residential property. It’s choosing to keep it exactly the same during its current zoning by-law review. From what I can find, this by-law dates back to around 1999 or 2000: when cell phones had antennas, SUVs were boxy, and the idea of remote work or van life wasn’t part of everyday conversation. A lot has changed since then. Recreational vehicles have become bigger, more common, and more essential to how Canadians travel, camp, and live. So why hasn’t Cobourg’s by-law kept up?

The Current Rule (Still) Doesn’t Make Sense

Under the existing by-law, residents in most residential zones are prohibited from parking RVs over 6 metres (19.7 feet) in length on their private property.

Here’s the problem:

• Most RVs today are longer than 6 metres
  • Travel trailers: 7 to 12 m (23–40 ft)
  • Motorhomes: 8 to 13.7 m (26–45 ft)
• That means most RV owners are already in violation, or must pay for off-site storage,  even if they have room in their driveways.

An Expensive Problem for Everyday Residents

Commercial storage isn’t cheap, residents report paying anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000+ per year, depending on location and availability. And in Cobourg, you can’t just apply for an easy exemption to park at home. The alternative is to go through the minor variance process, which involves:

• Formal applications
• Professional site plans or surveys
• Public notification
• A fee that can reach over $5,000 all-in

That’s a steep price just to legally park a licensed vehicle in your own driveway.

Enforcement Is Complaint-Driven and Inconsistent

This is what bothers me the most. The enforcement is “complaint driven. The Town only enforces zoning violations like RV parking when someone complains. That means enforcement is inconsistent and selective, one neighbour could face fines while another doesn’t, based solely on who lives next door to who.  That’s not good policy that’s playing bylaw bingo.

RV Ownership Is Common and Growing

Over 2 million Canadians own RVs, and according to the RVDA of Canada, the median age of an RV owner is 55. For many retirees, RVs are not a luxury, they’re the key to affordable, flexible travel. That’s especially true in a post COVID world, where outdoor recreation has soared in popularity.

RVs are also already part of Cobourg’s landscape. Take a drive around and you’ll spot many  parked safely in driveways across the town.  I have been counting them on my daily walks. In just a 2.5 KM radius from where I live I have counted over 81 in the last few month.  I am happy that no one has complained about them, and I have no intention of complaining. To me, it’s about changing bylaws that just don’t make sense. And the tried true argument of OTHERS do it, is weak at best. We are not like other towns. So why should we start with this?

Time to Catch Up With Reality

Port Hope allows RVs on residential properties. Many other towns across Ontario do too. Cobourg, on the other hand, is still clinging to a zoning bylaw written for a different era. This isn’t about allowing people to live in RVs on their front lawns, it’s about respecting residents’ right to responsibly store their property on their own land.

Lets Talk Petition

So back to where I started. I started a PETITION Calling on Cobourg Town Council and the planning department to remove the 6-metre restriction for RV’s  from the current zoning by-law and develop more modern, balanced rules that reflect how people live today.

Since you have come this far I will assume you believe in common sense bylaws that serve residents rather than punish them, please sign and share. Let’s make sure our local policies reflect today’s realities  not those of 25 years ago.

 

 

You can download the proposed zoning bylaws and give them a read!  Just head over the town of Cobourg website and scroll to the bottom. You don’t want bylaw knocking on your door because you made a mistake!

xoxo

Maria