Temporary Use By-law for recreational vehicle use for quarantining purposes approved

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Temporary Use By-law for recreational vehicle use for quarantining purposes approved by Council during the COVID-19 pandemic

Temporary Use By-law for recreational vehicle use for quarantining purposes approved by Council during the COVID-19 pandemic

The City of Brantford’s Zoning By-law currently permits the storage of motor homes and travel trailers in the rear and side yards of residential properties. The same by-law also permits the storage of a motor home or travel trailer in the front yard of a residential property for a 72-hour period, and the habitation of the travel trailer for not more than 14 days in each calendar month (parked in the rear or side yard only). It was deemed by Council that these provisions were not adequate as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic.

In response to the ongoing pandemic crisis, at their meeting held Tuesday January 26, 2021, Brantford City Council approved a Temporary Use By-law that allows for the temporary use of travel trailers and motor homes in the front yard of residential properties for use by essential service workers or people who have to quarantine for COVID-19 related purposes. The Temporary Use By-law will go into effect in February 2021. This By-law will continue to be in effect for a maximum of three (3) years, and could potentially be extended beyond the Declaration of Emergency, but shall not be rescinded before the Declaration of Emergency expires or has been terminated.

The temporary allowance applies to front-line workers, such as health care professionals, food services workers, truck drivers, grocery clerks, transit drivers, etc. who wish to limit the risk of exposure of persons in their households by seeking alternative forms of accommodation.

The motor home/recreational vehicle and travel trailer must be 1 metre from the sidewalk or, where there is no sidewalk, 1 metre from the curb or the road edge. Corner lots are excluded from the temporary emergency exemption.

Registration with The City of Brantford must take place within 7 days of the start of the use of the motor home or travel trailer for the purposes of self-isolating or quarantine during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Those who wish to register for this temporary allowance are asked to contact the City’s Clerks Department by phone at 519-759-4150 or by email at licensing@brantford.ca.

Additional Stipulations

  • Complaints that the motor home/travel trailer presents a health and safety risk will be investigated.
  • Use of generators for the motor home/travel trailer is prohibited.
  • By-law enforcement may require proof that appropriate sewage disposal methods are being used.

Options for Waste Disposal

  1. Occupants must use the services of a reputable hauler for waste disposal requirements.
  2. While not a service the City normally provides, if a waste hauler service cannot be secured, on a temporary basis, sewage disposal from a motor home/trailer will be allowed at its septage receiving station on Mohawk Street by appointment. Please contact the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150 or wastewatercompliance@brantford.ca to book an appointment.

Complaints related to misuse of motor homes/trailers for accommodation on private property during the COVID-19 pandemic should be directed to the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150 or emailed to covidviolations@brantford.ca.