News Release - Greater Napanee Removes More Than 30 Trailers from Rural Property

July 10, 2026  

(GREATER NAPANEE, ON) – Following the award of a court injunction and extensive work with social service agencies and law enforcement, the Town of Greater Napanee has begun removing dozens of illegal trailers from 1388 Bridge Street. 

Prior to seeking an injunction, the Town undertook significant efforts for more than a year to encourage the property owner to bring the property into compliance.  

The property housed numerous individuals living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions and was found to be in violation of the Town's zoning, yard maintenance, and property standards by-laws. The Town’s enforcement response was also guided by significant fire and life safety concerns, including the concentration of unauthorized trailers and structures, unsafe residential occupancy, limited site oversight, and conditions that posed increased risks to occupants, emergency responders, and neighbouring properties. 

Failing to secure voluntary compliance, the Town sought and obtained a court injunction from an Ontario Superior Court Justice in March 2026. 

The March 24, 2026, order declared that the activities taking place on the property were illegal and required the owner to complete the following work by June 1, 2026: 

• Ensure all occupants living illegally on the property vacate the premises 
• Ensure that more than 30 trailers and cinderblock structures on the property were removed  
• Ensure all construction materials and related refuse were removed from the property 

If the owner did not complete the work by June 1, the order authorized the Town to complete all work and bill the property owner for it as of June 2.   

Following the court decision, Town staff have been working with various agencies in Greater Napanee, including Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services, the Salvation Army, Morningstar Mission, KFLA Addiction and Mental Health Services, and Kingston Community Health Centres to ensure the occupants living at 1388 Bridge Street were provided appropriate support and guidance. 

Through the collaborative efforts of social service agencies, many individuals living at 1388 Bridge Street received support and assistance in finding alternative accommodations. 

As part of its response, the Town will also be reporting suspected environmental violations to the appropriate provincial authorities, including concerns related to unauthorized sewage disposal systems. 

The work at 1388 Bridge Street will take place in two phases. Phase one involves the removal of all unauthorized trailers and structures. Phase two will involve the removal of construction materials and refuse. 

All work performed by or on behalf of the Town will be billed to the owner of 1388 Bridge Street, per the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s order. 

“The Town of Greater Napanee is committed to ensuring that the law is applied equally and fairly, and that any violations are addressed in a manner that minimizes the burden on taxpayers. The illegal encampment and associated activities that occurred at 1388 Bridge Street represented significant violations of both the law and community expectations, and such activities will not be tolerated.” 

“I would like to thank members of the community, and particularly the residents of Bridge Street, for their patience as the Town worked through the necessary legal processes to ensure this matter could be addressed appropriately.” 

- Terry Richardson, Mayor of Greater Napanee 

“Over the coming weeks, Town staff will be working with contractors to ensure that the property at 1388 Bridge Street is brought into compliance at no cost to the taxpayer. I want to thank our community partners for their support in ensuring the Town could carry out the direction of the court in a way that was both deliberate and compassionate.”

- Matthew Grant, Chief Administrative Officer 

Media Contact: 

Kylie Huffman  

Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator  

Town of Greater Napanee 

T: 613-776-1116 

E: khuffman@greaternapanee.com  

-30-