Flood displaced residents get a break

Residents of Calgary that have been displaced by flooding can now apply for a permit to use their RVs as temporary housing on city streets.

Residents who’ve been displaced by flooding can now apply for a special permit from the City of Calgary to allow them to use their RVs as a place to stay.

Since the flooding in June, the city and the Calgary Parking Authority say they haven’t been actively enforcing the bylaws related to the lawful parking of recreational vehicles in the city.

Those residents using their RVs as temporary homes now have until August 19 to apply for a Special Parking Permit to allow them to continue using the vehicle.

Residents have three options to make the request:

The permit allows residents to park within one block of the location provided on the permit. Regular parking restrictions still apply.

Permits will be issued for periods up to 30 days in length and will be reviews for extensions if necessary.

Officials say it can take up to three days for the permit to be issued.

There is no cost associated with the permit.

Successful applicants will be contacted to pick up their permits and are reminded to display them in visible areas on their vehicles, preferably from the rearview mirror.

Parking a recreational vehicle on private property for longer than 24 hours is not permitted under a bylaw violation.

Anyone who leaves their vehicle on a front setback for longer than 24 hours may be subject to compliance action.

RVs not being used as temporary housing or left unattached from the vehicle used to move them should not be left on the street for more than 36 hours.