We've been quietly trying to fight this but now it's time to make some noise. In April of 2022 my wife and I were in a tough situation when the house we were renting was being sold and we needed an opportunity to save some money and figure out where we were going to live while we saved to find our own property. Both our businesses took a hit during Covid and our wedding was coming up on July 1st, 2022, and with the housing market and the prices of rentals in the area we started to think outside the box, and we decided to move into a 5th wheel.  My wife's parents have lived on a 4.3 acre farm in the Bluejay Subdivision neighborhood of Vernon, B.C. for 25 years and they were willing to help us out and offer up their field for us to build a site for our 5th wheel and to live with our animals while we save some money.

Unfortunately within the first two weeks we were living here a person in the neighborhood sent in a complaint to bylaw about someone living in an RV. Since August of 2022 we have dealt with the City Council and bylaw and have been able to extend and push our stay here as long as possible. After countless emails and letters to City Council and bylaw over the last year and now receiving multiple fines from bylaw over the last few months we wish to continue to fight this for many other properties and people in the same situation. We did everything right and by the book from the septic holding tank, to professionals installing the electrical, Propane being installed correctly, to professional insulated skirting, to creating a safe environment for our animals within the field, our horse, two goats, two rabbits, two cats and a dog.

Because the property is zoned ALR we never thought we would have an issue for a temporary solution since ALR allows a secondary residence that can be a carriage house or an RV but unfortunately that is not the case because the City of Vernon has power over this decision. 

This 5th wheel can be stored in the exact same spot for the rest of time but because someone was living in it one neighbor decided to report it to Bylaw. We never wanted to upset or disturb anyone in the area and we hoped if someone had an issue they would have done the neighborly thing and come and spoke with us to get our side of the story instead of just going straight to bylaw. We will continue to work towards a solution and fight this as best we can for everyone dealing with a similar situation. We want to put the pressure on Vernon City Council to look into this further and change the zoning bylaws and allowances for ALR land within the City limits. With the support and signatures of people throughout the community we may be able to make the necessary changes while dealing with the ongoing housing crisis. Please sign the petition and let's make sure the City of Vernon hears our plea for change. 

Thank you!