Owen Sound Council Greenlights Salmon Derby Camping Fees for Harbour Wall to Offset Rising Costs
Harbour wall camping during Owen Sound’s Salmon Spectacular won’t be free anymore. Council has approved a new $150 permit fee and stricter rules to tackle waste, congestion, and enforcement costs.
Owen Sound City Council has officially approved a new regulatory bylaw for extended parking and overnight camping during the city’s annual fishing derbies, introducing a licensing fee system and updated enforcement mechanisms.
The decision follows months of discussion about the strain derby-related activity places on public spaces, waste management, and city resources.
Starting with the 2025 Salmon Spectacular, anglers and derby participants who wish to park or camp overnight in designated public areas will be required to purchase a vehicle permit for $150 — a change introduced this year following an amendment by Council to accelerate implementation.
The fee includes a 25% non-refundable application fee, with partial refunds available if cancellations are made at least 14 days in advance. A $25 fee will apply for replacement permits.
The bylaw applies to Areas A1 and A2, which are designated zones along the east side of the Owen Sound harbourfront, between 2nd Avenue East and the water’s edge, near the boat launch and east harbour wall.
These areas have historically been popular with derby participants for extended parking and overnight camping. Under the new bylaw, they will serve as the primary permitted locations for extended parking during the fishing derbies.
Permit holders must comply with all City bylaws, including waste disposal, vehicle size limits, fire safety regulations, and rules concerning alcohol consumption.
City staff have discretion to refuse permits in cases involving outstanding fines, past violations, or other enforcement concerns.
How It Will Be Enforced
The by-law will be enforced by City By-law Officers, Building Department staff, and a contracted third-party security service, with support from the Owen Sound Police Service as needed.
Staff confirmed that compliance with the Criminal Code of Canada is included in the regulatory framework, meaning criminal behaviour may be subject to police enforcement.
In addition, Council approved a request to the Ministry of the Attorney General to establish short form wording and set fines for offences under the new Derby Camping By-law, as well as updates to the existing Parks By-law. This is necessary to implement enforceable penalties under provincial regulations, according to the staff report.
Why the Changes Were Made
The move comes after a 2024 staff report highlighted increasing challenges associated with unregulated camping and extended parking during the city’s major derbies.
In 2024, Owen Sound spent $17,200 on additional services such as waste management, portable toilets, and enforcement, much of which was directly related to derby activity. With more than 5,000 participants annually, the Salmon Spectacular is a major event, but one that generates no direct revenue for the City.
Council’s decision to introduce fees is intended to recover some of these public costs while continuing to support the derby’s economic and cultural impact. Based on projected uptake, the City expects to issue around 116 permits, which would generate approximately $17,000 in revenue.
A report evaluating the bylaw’s effectiveness will be brought forward after the 2025 fall derbies.
Important Considerations for Anglers and the Public
Council emphasized that permit holders should not expect guaranteed spots. The harbour is an active shipping zone, and Transport Canada retains control over vessel movements.
If a ship must dock in an area where vehicles are parked, permit holders may be asked to move, regardless of fees paid.
To mitigate confusion, the City plans to collect contact information from permit holders to ensure timely communication in case of required relocations. However, no refunds are guaranteed in such cases, though prorated refunds may be considered in some circumstances.
Councillor Jon Farmer, who introduced amendments to implement the fee system in 2025 (rather than delaying to 2026), stressed the importance of protecting public access to the waterfront and ensuring clear communication with derby participants.
Adjustments to parking in Area 4, the south end of the east harbour wall, near the navigation marker at the mouth of the inner harbour just north of the Inner Harbour Boat Launch, were also made to maintain open access to the harbour wall and prevent congestion near navigation markers.
What’s Next
City staff have been directed to:
Finalize and enact the Derby Camping By-law.
Apply to the province for fine approval under the Provincial Offences Act.
Amendments will be made to the Traffic By-law, Fees and Charges By-law, Appointed Officers By-law, and Parks Bylaw, to reflect the new regulatory and enforcement framework for derby camping.
Provide public notice of changes in accordance with the City’s Notice By-law.
Report back after the 2025 derbies with a full review of the program.
As Owen Sound prepares to implement the new system, participants and residents alike can expect more structured and regulated derby camping activity, with clearer expectations and stronger tools for enforcement.
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