BLIND RIVER, Ont. – Truckers who already park their rigs at home in this northern Ontario community will be allowed to continue, but the town council has decided that other truckers won’t be allowed the same freedom.

Mayor Bob Gallagher called the years-long debate “a very, very difficult process,” local media reports. While existing zoning rules already forbid the parking of trucks in residential areas, the bylaw had never been enforced. Now it will be brought down against anyone who started the practice after Jan. 1, 2000.

In the case of tractors having a licensed gross vehicle weight exceeding 2,722 kg (6,000 lb.), only the tractor portion will be permitted in residential areas, and vehicles must be parked no closer to the street than a house would be allowed to be built.

Only one truck will be allowed per residential property, and truck owners will need an annual permit to continue the practice.

The rights can be revoked from any property after a year in which trucks aren’t parked at the site. n