RVs for self-isolation approved by county

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County is allowing recreational vehicles to be used for self-isolation or quarantine purposes, which follows a similar decision made by the Town of Strathmore in April.

Under the county’s bylaws, recreational vehicles (RVs) are prohibited to be used as a dwelling. However, Wheatland County council voted on June 12 to amend the county’s land use bylaws to temporarily allow RVs to be used as a dwelling for quarantine or self-isolation.

In April, the Town of Strathmore allowed RV parking on town streets. Under the town’s policy, a temporary permit must be obtained for street RV parking, provided only after an on-site inspection is performed.

To develop the county amendments, county staff looked to a decision made by Rocky View County following flooding in Bragg Creek in 2013. Rocky View’s bylaw amendments created a new definition for emergency use of RVs, added this use to several of its land use districts, and established a time restriction requiring these RVs to be removed by a certain date, according to a report by Wheatland County administration.

The bylaw amendments define a RV for quarantine or self-isolation as a recreational vehicle used as a temporary dwelling on land where there is an occupied dwelling unit in which an applicant cannot reside due to self-isolation or quarantining measures due to COVID-19.

The amendments prescribe some restrictions, however. The RV must be self-contained with no discharge of sewage or wastewater outside of an approved sewage disposal system. Sewage and wastewater must be disposed of in a way that is not deemed a hazard to public health. Furthermore, only one RV for quarantine or self-isolation is allowed per parcel.

Under the changes, RVs must be removed by Oct. 1, 2021. However, council could deem any other date appropriate for the cut-off, said Wheatland County Reeve Amber Link, in a statement. Also included in the changes is an exemption for those using RVs for quarantine or self-isolation needing to obtain a development permit from the county.

The county will not request proof that an RV is temporarily being used to self-isolate during the pandemic, said Link.

Wheatland County is allowing recreational vehicles to be used for self-isolation or quarantine purposes, which follows a similar decision made by the Town of Strathmore in April.

Under the county’s bylaws, recreational vehicles (RVs) are prohibited to be used as a dwelling. However, Wheatland County council voted on June 12 to amend the county’s land use bylaws to temporarily allow RVs to be used as a dwelling for quarantine or self-isolation.

In April, the Town of Strathmore allowed RV parking on town streets. Under the town’s policy, a temporary permit must be obtained for street RV parking, provided only after an on-site inspection is performed.

To develop the county amendments, county staff looked to a decision made by Rocky View County following flooding in Bragg Creek in 2013. Rocky View’s bylaw amendments created a new definition for emergency use of RVs, added this use to several of its land use districts, and established a time restriction requiring these RVs to be removed by a certain date, according to a report by Wheatland County administration.

The bylaw amendments define a RV for quarantine or self-isolation as a recreational vehicle used as a temporary dwelling on land where there is an occupied dwelling unit in which an applicant cannot reside due to self-isolation or quarantining measures due to COVID-19.

The amendments prescribe some restrictions, however. The RV must be self-contained with no discharge of sewage or wastewater outside of an approved sewage disposal system. Sewage and wastewater must be disposed of in a way that is not deemed a hazard to public health. Furthermore, only one RV for quarantine or self-isolation is allowed per parcel.

Under the changes, RVs must be removed by Oct. 1, 2021. However, council could deem any other date appropriate for the cut-off, said Wheatland County Reeve Amber Link, in a statement. Also included in the changes is an exemption for those using RVs for quarantine or self-isolation needing to obtain a development permit from the county.

The county will not request proof that an RV is temporarily being used to self-isolate during the pandemic, said Link.

Wheatland County Protective Services said it will not enforce RVs used for self-isolation parked on streets unless there are complaints regarding traffic safety concerns, such as blocking intersections or fire hydrants, or interfering with sidewalks. In such a case, the resident would be requested to park the RV in a manner that does not interfere with traffic flow or safety.