Are trailers and RVs allowed to be parked in Tecumseh driveways?

A new update to the zoning bylaws in Tecumseh has raised some questions on social media. CTV Windsor’s Stefanie Masotti clears it up.

An update to the zoning bylaws in Tecumseh has caused questions on social media and the mayor is speaking out.

Some residents are posting online that personal RVs and trailers longer than 20 feet will no longer be allowed to be parked in your driveway. But, according to Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara, that’s not necessarily the case.

“It’s basically an opportunity for us to bring three communities into one and also include all of the bylaws so that we’re basically now a unified community,” he said.

The former town of Tecumseh, the village of St. Clair Beach, and the Township of Sandwich South all amalgamated in 1999, creating what we now know as Tecumseh. But the bylaws in each separate community never changed.

The town began to streamline all bylaws into one policy in 2023.

“it’s basically trying to create a fairness across a municipality for all residents,” said McNamara.

The draft of new zoning bylaws includes additional dwelling units, short-term rentals, swimming pools, and parking recreational trailers.

“I don’t think I’d be a fan if it was jammed in with a bunch of other cars,” said Tony Teno, a Tecumseh resident.

“I don’t have a RV, I don’t have a boat,” said John Cole, another resident.

“As long as it’s not unsightly, if it’s disturbing someone, then yes, something has to be done about it.”

In the old Tecumseh, there were no rules about RVs. But in the former St. Clair Beach and Sandwich South, there were rules.

“It’s not the intent for the municipality to tell people they can’t have an RV or a recreational fishing boat,” McNamara said.

The draft report says a RV or trailer must not be longer than seven metres, including the hitch. It also cannot be taller than three metres.

McNamara said the option to be grandfathered in is a possibility.

“It’s very important for people to come have the opportunity to talk to our consultants and certainly our planning department to dispel information,” he added.

The final report is expected to be presented to council in the spring.