Grand Forks is clamping down on illegal RV and tent use within city limits.
Council gave preliminary readings to amendments to its traffic and zoning bylaws, laying out specific times and conditions where RVs are allowed.
The amendments are meant to beef up and clarify language.
The traffic bylaw will define times of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. when RVs and campers are not allowed to park on city streets instead of a generic reference to overnight. The exception is the boulevard outside a home the person owns or is visiting. Parking will be limited to one week with a “potential 1-time extension” within 30 days provided there’s no complaints.
The zoning bylaw will expressly prohibit tents and RVs for long term occupancy.
CAO Duncan Redfearn told council using RVs and tents as a home has always been a no-no.
“We have a number that are outstanding (people using RVs for long term occupancy) and the one thing that I continue to really reiterate is RVs and tents have never been permitted from the zoning bylaw. I don’t want to confuse that and then people think that they are grandfathered if they’ve been out here. They’ve never been permitted,” Redfearn said.
The changes will be part of a public hearing on July 17.
Meantime, council approved a one year temporary use permit for a property at Como Street and 64th Avenue in South Ruckle (6370 Como Street) where the owner wants to live in their RV while constructing a mobile home.
Coun. Rod Zielinski also asked the city to look into an RV parked at 7141 3rd Street. A report on that property will be coming to an upcoming council meeting.
