Owners, Operators and Residents of Seasonal Campgrounds & Trailer Parks

There are currently two provincial regulations in effect that must be considered when it comes to understanding the permissibility of seasonal campgrounds/trailer parks to open/operate.

1) O. Reg. 265/21: Stay-at-Home Order, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act

2) O. Reg. 82/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 1, under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Approach to COVID-19) Act

Both of these regulations need to be considered in tandem as they are both currently in effect. While O. Reg. 82/20 does provide allowances for the operation of seasonal campgrounds (with restrictions), this cannot be considered alone – the requirements of the Stay-at-Home Order must be considered in conjunction.

Seasonal campgrounds that meet the following conditions, may open:

• Campsites must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles that,
  • are used by individuals who are in need of housing, or
  • are permitted to be there by the terms of a full season contract.

• Only campsites with electricity, water service and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided for use.

• All recreational facilities in the campground and all other shared facilities in the campground, other than washrooms and showers, must be closed.

• Other areas of the seasonal campground must be closed to the general public and must only be opened for the purpose of preparing the seasonal campground for reopening.

This means that a campground may open for those who need housing and/or those who have full season contracts, however, the requirements of the Stay-at-Home Order must also be followed. The person in need of housing or the person attending on a full season contract may only do so:

1. for less than 24 hours and for essential purposes (e.g. maintenance); or
2. for 14 days or longer.

Note that all other amenities at the campground (with the exception of washrooms and showers) must be closed, including, but not limited to: pools, hot tubs, playgrounds, splash pads, laundry facilities, recreation rooms, etc.

Responsibility for Compliance

Given that there are requirements pertaining to the business and individuals, responsibility to ensure compliance with the legislation is blended between both parties – the owner/operator/person responsible for the business and the resident/individual attending the campground. Peterborough Public Health expects full compliance by both parties and has a zero-tolerance approach for noncompliance with public health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Owners/operators must ensure that the requirements for opening are met (i.e. contracts, electricity, sewage disposal, closure of amenities, etc.) and are expected to communicate to residents who may and may not attend. Owners/operators are expected to ask those residents who are not in compliance with the Stay-at-Home Order to vacate the premises (i.e. those residents who are coming up for short-term, weekend visits).

Residents must ensure that they are personally complying with the Stay-at-Home Order and only attending the property when it is permissible to do so, as outlined above.

Enforcement and Fines

Peterborough Public Health will investigate complaints of noncompliance and seek the assistance of other enforcement partners, including Peterborough Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police, when required. When indicated, business owners/operators may be charged, as well as individual residents.

Business owners/operators may be subject to fines under the Reopening Ontario Act for failing to comply with a continued emergency order. Residents may be subject to fines under the Reopening Ontario Act, as outlined above, or under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act for failing to comply with an order made during a declared emergency (i.e. Stay-at-Home Order).

Charges may be laid in accordance with the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P33 in the form of a Part 1 Offence Notice (i.e. a ticket) in the amount of $750.00 for an individual or $1000.00 for a corporation. Charges also may be commenced under Part 3 of the Act (summons to court), where penalties may be much larger in nature, including significant monetary fines (up to $100,000 for individuals and $10,000,000 for corporations) and the possibility of imprisonment.