Athabasca County is asking for public input on a new bylaw that would require permits for people using recreational vehicles (RVs) or trailers on properties outside of designated campgrounds or RV parks.
The purpose of Bylaw 017-2016 is stated as “to regulate temporary camping activities, to protect the environment from sewage contamination and promote safety, health and welfare of people and the protection of people and property.”
County passed the first reading of the bylaw at the Oct. 11 council meeting.
“Personally, I would like to hear from the public,” said Coun. Paul Ponich, when council was asked if they wanted to move onto a second reading.
“There’s no statutory requirements for a public hearing,” said chief administrative officer Ryan Maier. “If council chose to, they could hold a public hearing or council could just put it out for comment and feedback, however council wanted to do that.”
Council determined that county residents will have until the Nov. 8 meeting to give their input, at which point, council will decide whether or not to pass a second reading.
The new bylaw would prohibit the use of RVs without registering for a temporary camping certificate, which are limited to four permits a year per land parcel. Temporary camping sessions would be limited to eight days.
Currently, there is a 14-day limit on temporary camping without a permit. However, according to an administrative report, the limit has proven to be unenforceable and related tickets are open to legal challenge.
The new bylaw puts in place a registration system “that creates an enforceable method of limiting temporary camping without a sewer permit and development permit” which “serves to encourage RV users to install sewer systems which ensure proper disposal of sewer waste.”
This bylaw would apply to any person who uses or owns a trailer for temporary camping, or who permits an RV to be used for temporary camping in lands owned, leased or otherwise under the control of the person.
Already, some ratepayers are reaching out to the county regarding the bylaw.
“While I appreciate that the County is making an effort to curb the impact of long term RV campers, I feel that the new bylaw is far over-reaching,” said Deanne Bryanton, a county resident who shared her letter of concern with the Advocate.
“This bylaw places an unnecessary burden on decent ratepayers as they must obtain permits each and every time someone stays in their yard in an RV,” she wrote. “Along with this, the law only allows for four permits to be obtained per year. This is giving the local government power to restrict how many times a year someone can have visitors. I feel that the county has no business dictating how often a person can have visitors to their home and that this is an infringement on the freedoms of private property ownership which is a key part of rural Albertan society.”
