Stay-at-Home Order: Regulations for Cottage and Tourism Sectors Peterborough Public Health has created the following summary and FAQ list regarding how the Stay-at-Home Order affects the Cottage and Tourism sector. The content is specific to Grey/Shutdown and Stay at Home Orders, and will need to be revisited when we return to the colour-coded framework.
As of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday April 8, 2021 a Stay-at-Home Order is in effect for Ontario for a minimum of 6 weeks. During this time, everyone is required to stay at their primary residence, and are only allowed to leave for essential reasons. Visits to a secondary residence to perform necessary maintenance are permitted if less than 24 hours in duration. If planning for an extended stay at your secondary residence, the stay must be at least 14 days long in order to comply with the Stay-at-Home Order. Click here for additional guidance when preparing for an extended stay.
Short-term rentals of a secondary residence (e.g., cottage, trailer, cabin) is not permitted when the Peterborough Public Health region is in the Lockdown or Shutdown section of the Ontario COVID-19 Response Framework, unless the individual renting is in need of housing.
When the Peterborough Public Health region is in the “Prevent” (green), “Protect” (yellow), “Restrict” (orange), or “Control” (red) section of the Ontario COVID-19 Response Framework, rentals of a secondary residence are permitted with restrictions. Ensure you are following all of the requirements in the Orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, the Ontario Covid-19 Response Framework, and any applicable municipal by-law. Any rentals must be for use by one household only. To learn more about responsible cottage rental, check out The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association (FOCA) website.
While the Stay-at-Home Order is in effect, campgrounds are allowed to open only for trailer and recreational vehicle camping at campsites 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. NOTE: As per the Stay-at-Home Order, campers could only attend to perform necessary maintenance to their trailer or recreational vehicle if the visit is less than 24 hours in duration, or for a longer stay of at least 14 days.
Campgrounds must ensure that any site in use for the permitted purposes have electricity, water services and facilities for sewage disposal. All recreational facilities in the campground and all other shared facilities in the campground, other than washrooms and showers, must be closed.
Marinas are not permitted to provide services for recreational boating during the provincial shutdown and Stay-at-Home Order. Marinas are only permitted to provide services for:
Repairing or servicing boats or other watercraft.
Placing boats or other watercraft in the water to be secured to a dock until the marina is open to the public.
Any other services that may be required to,
enable individuals to access their place of residence or their other property,
support government operations or services, or
support the transportation of items by commercial barges.
FAQ:
Can I visit my own cottage or secondary residence? O. Reg. 265/21: STAY-AT-HOME ORDER: Subject to strict conditions. Visits to your own secondary residence to perform necessary maintenance are permitted if less than 24 hours in duration. If planning for an extended stay at your secondary residence, the stay must be at least 14 days long. This applies even if your primary and secondary residence are located in the same health unit region. “Requirement to remain in residence 1. (1) Every individual shall remain at the residence at which they are currently residing at all times unless leaving their residence is necessary for one or more of the following purposes: Multiple residences and moving 19. Travelling to another residence of the individual if, i. the individual intends to be at the residence for less than 24 hours and is attending for one of the purposes* set out in this Order, or ii. the individual intends to reside at the residence for at least 14 days.” * “performing such activities as are necessary for landscaping, gardening and the safe operation, maintenance and sanitation of households, businesses, means of transportation or other places.”
If you need to link anyone to guidance for Seasonal residents, we have a section on our website here. This website also includes a link to this tip sheet about transitioning over for a long stay:
Are short-term rentals permitted? (Cottage rentals, bed and breakfast businesses, vacation rentals, resorts etc.) O. Reg. 265/21: STAY-AT-HOME ORDER: Not permitted, unless for a person in need of housing. O. Reg. 82/20: RULES FOR AREAS IN STAGE 1: Not permitted, unless for a person in need of housing. “6. (1) Every person who provides short term rental accommodation shall ensure that any rentals are only provided to individuals who are in need of housing.”
Are campgrounds/trailer parks permitted to be open? O. Reg. 82/20: RULES FOR AREAS IN STAGE 1: Subject to strict conditions. See bold below. “SCHEDULE 2 BUSINESSES THAT MAY OPEN IN SHUTDOWN ZONE 26. (1) Seasonal campgrounds that meet the following conditions: 1. Campsites must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles that, i. are used by individuals who are in need of housing, or ii. are permitted to be there by the terms of a full season contract. 2. Only campsites with electricity, water service and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided for use. 3. All recreational facilities in the campground and all other shared facilities in the campground, other than washrooms and showers, must be closed. 4. 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.”
O. Reg. 265/21: STAY-AT-HOME ORDER: Subject to strict conditions. Visits to your own secondary residence to perform necessary maintenance are permitted if less than 24 hours in duration. If planning for an extended stay at your secondary residence, the stay must be at least 14 days long. “Requirement to remain in residence 1. (1) Every individual shall remain at the residence at which they are currently residing at all times unless leaving their residence is necessary for one or more of the following purposes: Multiple residences and moving 19. Travelling to another residence of the individual if, i. the individual intends to be at the residence for less than 24 hours and is attending for one of the purposes* set out in this Order, or ii. the individual intends to reside at the residence for at least 14 days.” * “performing such activities as are necessary for landscaping, gardening and the safe operation, maintenance and sanitation of households, businesses, means of transportation or other places.”
Marinas 37. (1) Marinas that meet the conditions set out in this section. (2) Subject to subsection (4), only the following services may be provided: 1. Repairing or servicing boats or other watercraft. 2. Placing boats or other watercraft in the water to be secured to a dock until the marina is open to the public. 3. Any other services that may be required to, i. enable individuals to access their place of residence or their other property, ii. support government operations or services, or iii. support the transportation of items by commercial barges. (3) For greater certainty, the person who operates the marina shall not permit it to be used for recreational boating purposes except as described in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection (2). (4) For greater certainty, nothing in this Order precludes a person responsible for a marina that maintains docking facilities for members or patrons from operating a food or drink establishment on the premises, as long as section 6* is complied with. * ‘take-out’ food only
Example signage/wording idea for Marina Operator’s:
We are not permitted to provide services for recreational boating at this time. We are permitted to provide services for: 1. Repairing or servicing boats or other watercraft. 2. Placing boats or other watercraft in the water to be secured to a dock until the marina is open to the public. 3. Any other services that may be required to, i. enable individuals to access their place of residence or their other property, ii. support government operations or services, or iii. support the transportation of items by commercial barges. O. Reg. 82/20: RULES FOR AREAS IN STAGE 1
Are public boat launches permitted to be open? Public boat launches must not be accessed for recreational purposes at this time. Public boat launches can, however, be accessed where necessary for “safety, law enforcement or other similar purposes.” Signage with wording along the lines of “this boat launch is not intended for access to recreational activities at this time” should suffice. If issues develop, the public launch may have to be monitored or blocked off.
Can parks remain open? A park or recreational area “may be open for the purposes of permitting persons to walk through the park or recreational area.” All other amenities in the park (i.e., soccer fields, pickleball courts, basketball courts, etc.) must be closed, with the exception of off-leash dog area, park benches, and playgrounds/play structures. For these few exceptions, any person can use the off-leash dog area, park bench, playground/structure as long as they “maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person who is also using the amenity, other than a person who is a member of the same household, a member of one other household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of either household.”
Government of Ontario Stop the Spread Business Information Line Businesses who have questions about closures of workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Help is available from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
