I’ve bought land located in zone WR 4 in Haliburton County. Until I build my cottage, may I put up a tent to camp on my property? What kind of insurance do I need?—Mykola Skyba, Wenona Lake, Ont.
According to the zoning bylaws in Dysart et al, where your lake sits, you shouldn’t put up any tents until a “seasonal structure” is in place, says planning assistant Jeff Iles. Your lot is zoned Waterfront Residential Type 4, where the permitted (residential) structures are a “seasonal dwelling” or a “private cabin.” Iles says a tent just doesn’t fall under those definitions.
If the lot were zoned differently or located elsewhere, tenting might be fine; bylaws vary between municipalities.
Section 3.4 does say that with a building permit, you can put up a “structure incidental to construction,” such as a shed or—as a temporary dwelling—a trailer, for 12 months. Still no tent, but hey, now you can sleep on your own damn property.
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Even with an empty lot, you need liability insurance. “People often don’t want insurance unless there’s something tangible there,” says Todd Minor of Mason Insurance Brokers in Welland, Ont. “But if someone trespasses and gets hurt, you could be named in a lawsuit.”
The lot may be automatically covered under the policy for your primary residence, but check with your insurance provider. Different companies have different guidelines, says Fran Robbers of Canadian Cottage Insurance in Lancaster, Ont. If you then change anything on the property, it may no longer be covered.
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Before any actual construction begins, apply for a Dwelling Under Construction policy, to protect against damage to the buildings. This should be written up before the foundation is finished, says Robbers, and can be stand-alone or extended from a home policy.
This article was originally published in the April 2011 issue of Cottage Life magazine.
Got a question forCottage Life’s Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.
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FAQs
No, it is not legal to camp anywhere in Texas. Camping is allowed in designated campgrounds, state parks, national parks, and some private lands.
Can I camp on my own land in Missouri? ›
No, it is not legal to camp anywhere in Missouri. Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds, national forests, state parks, and on private lands with the owner's permission.
Can you camp on your own land in Florida? ›
YES. Camper Trailers, Travel Trailers, RV's and Fifth Wheels are allowed to be parked on your property. 14 days is the MAX you can camp on your property with your self-contained Camper Trailer, Travel Trailer, RV, or Fifth Wheel.
How long can you camp on your own property in California? ›
B. Such use shall not exceed seven consecutive days in duration, except during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when such use shall not exceed 14 consecutive days in duration. C. Camping may not occur more than four times per calendar year.
Can you live in a camper on your property in Texas? ›
To live in an RV on your property, you'll need to have a valid and registered RV license from the state. When you have this, you can live in your motorhome for as long as you want, provided that you establish your residency and submit the right documentation for it.
Where can you legally camp for free in Texas? ›
Top Locations For Boondocking in Texas
- Big Bend National Park Primitive Campsites. Big Bend National Park is one of the best places for boondocking in South Texas. ...
- Big Thicket National Preserve. ...
- Padre Island North Beach. ...
- Amistad National Recreation Area. ...
- Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
As long as you are prepared, there is no reason you can't head out and be one with nature on your own. Camping solo is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have and it will connect you with yourself and nature in ways you never thought possible.
Is Boondocking legal in Missouri? ›
Boondocking, or dispersed camping, is legal in Missouri, particularly in the Mark Twain National Forest. However, it's essential to follow the rules and regulations of the specific area where you plan to camp.
Is Boondocking legal in Florida? ›
Boondocking, or camping on public lands without amenities, is legal in Florida in certain areas. While Florida does not have any BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands, there are other options for boondocking, such as national forests, wildlife management areas, and water management districts.
Can you live in an RV full time in Florida? ›
Yes, it is generally permissible to live in an RV full or part-time on private property in Florida. However, there are some factors to consider, including local and legal requirements, as well as climate considerations.
You can camp on most BLM land for up to 14 days, even if there are grazing or mining claims (just watch out for cow pies), unless otherwise posted. Most BLM lands are in these 12 western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Can someone live in a camper on your property in California? ›
Even temporarily residing in your RV is perfectly legal. However, permanently residing in your RV or camper is against the law, even if it is parked on your property. If an RV owner lives in a community that has an HOA, the RV owner has to check with the HOA's CC&R (contract).
Can you live in RV in backyard in California? ›
State laws do not expressly prohibit living in a camper in your backyard. However, the state allows counties and cities to enact laws restricting the use of RVs and campers in their jurisdiction.
Is Boondocking legal in California? ›
The rules covering boondocking in California are a patchwork of federal, state, and local regulations. A good rule of thumb is that boondocking is legal on federal lands, at least those owned by the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service. Some of California's state parks permit boondocking, while others do not.
Is it legal to camp anywhere in Texas? ›
The Texas law against prohibited camping criminalizes temporarily residing and setting up shelter in a public place without consent of the officer or agency in charge of the public place.
Do you need a permit to camp in Texas? ›
In Texas state parks, you need to make a reservation for overnight camping. You can make reservations up to five months in advance. If you are camping in a wildlife management area, you can usually camp without a permit, but you may need to pay a day use fee.
How many acres of land can a person own in Texas? ›
Determining Urban or Rural Homesteads in Texas
Rural homesteads are limited to 200 acres for a family and 100 acres for a single adult, including improvements on the property. An urban homestead is limited to ten acres with improvements, which must be in adjacent lots.
Is Boondocking illegal in Texas? ›
Yes, boondocking is allowed in Texas on certain public lands and private properties.
