Penticton overnight parking

Aug. 21, 2007

A longstanding zoning bylaw that prohibits overnight parking of RVs in store parking lots has come to the forefront in Penticton, British Columbia.

RV owners and Penticton residents Gordon and Jo-Ann Herle asked city council to reconsider the bylaw, and to remove the “overnight parking prohibited” sign in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The bylaw is not welcoming for RVers who enter the city, they said.

City staff has decided to gather feedback from shopping centers and store management before it examines the matter further.

In an Aug. 9 article carried in the Penticton Herald, Council member Joanne Grimaldi said the bylaw might be outdated. “I feel that times have changed and we should be changing with them, and it’s time, probably, to revise our policy and certainly work with the shopping centers if they’re agreeable to having camping of this type on their property,” she said.

Councilman Rory McIvor told the Herald there needs to be consistency with regard to overnight parking. “Part of the research on this must include asking the shopping centers if they’re willing to allow their lots to be used overnight,” he said.

Mayor Jack Kimberly said the city is responsible for regulating parking spots on all city developments. “I would just direct staff with regard to this issue to make those inquiries to the shopping management and see if there’s a willingness to take that interest forward,” he said.

The City of Penticton is part of the Okanagan Valley, and is located along provincial highway 97, about 244 miles east of Vancouver.