Alternative Housing on Mayne: RVs and Tiny Homes on Wheels

Credit Erin Hybart

A Local Approach to Sustainable Housing Solutions

Housing remains one of the biggest constraints on Mayne Island’s development. With home prices rising and long-term rentals scarce, businesses struggle to find staff, seniors face housing insecurity, and younger families find it difficult to stay.

A recent study on housing across the Southern Gulf Islands (SGIs) sheds light on an emerging trend: more residents are turning to Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and Tiny Homes on Wheels (THoWs) as full-time housing solutions. These options are becoming increasingly popular in BC due to affordability, mobility, and lower environmental impact.

Unlike many other Gulf Islands, Mayne already allows RVs as permanent residences in certain zones—provided they have proper water and sewage connections. THoWs, however, remain in a legal gray area. While designed as small, movable dwellings, they lack explicit recognition under Mayne’s zoning bylaws, creating uncertainty for both owners and potential hosts. This presents an opportunity: can Mayne Island pioneer a well-regulated, sustainable approach to alternative housing?

Why Consider a Housing Pilot Project?

A housing pilot project could help address key questions about how RVs and THoWs fit into Mayne’s long-term housing strategy, particularly in a way that respects the island’s limited water and infrastructure resources.

Such a project would clarify the legal and regulatory framework by working with Islands Trust, the Capital Regional District (CRD), and public health officials to create a clear, structured approach for using THoWs and RVs as full-time housing. It would also demonstrate sustainable infrastructure by testing off-grid solutions such as rainwater collection, composting toilets, and solar power to reduce resource strain.

The project would provide affordable housing for workers and families, helping local employers retain staff and allowing long-term residents to remain on the island. Additionally, it would clarify regulations concerning the disposal of THoWs and RVs that have been abandoned or have reached the end of their useful life.

While RVs are already allowed, a pilot project could establish a replicable model that benefits not only Mayne but other Gulf Islands where housing shortages are also severe.

Balancing Housing Growth with Sustainability

One of the most pressing concerns for any housing solution on Mayne is water scarcity. A pilot project would focus on low-water-use strategies, such as rainwater collection systems to reduce reliance on aquifers, composting toilets and greywater recycling to minimize wastewater impact, and solar energy and high-efficiency appliances to reduce power consumption. These approaches align with the “Preserve and Protect” mandate, ensuring that housing growth does not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.

Benefits for Landowners

A key success factor for this initiative is the participation of local landowners willing to host THoWs or RVs under a structured, legally compliant framework. Renting out space for a THoW or RV pad can provide supplemental income without the complexity of constructing a rental suite. Unlike traditional rental housing, RV and THoW hosting arrangements can offer shorter-term or renewable leases, giving landowners greater flexibility. Tiny Homes and RVs use fewer resources than traditional housing, especially when equipped with low-impact systems like solar power and greywater recycling. Providing housing for local workers and seniors means a stronger local economy and better services for everyone on the island.

Next Steps

If you are a landowner interested in learning more, or if you simply want to stay informed as this initiative develops, please reach out to info@sgicommunityresources.ca. By proactively exploring solutions, Mayne Island can take the lead in creating a housing model that benefits both residents and the environment—one that balances the need for affordability, sustainability, and smart growth.