In under two weeks a Picton Ont., couple say they will be homeless after being told by Prince Edward County by-law officers to leave the property.

Kyle and Kathlene Mayne pulled their houseboat out of Lake Ontario in 2018 and parked it on a friend’s farm on the outskirts of downtown Picton, according to the couple.

“We live here for only half the year. In May, we live in a trailer at a Cherry Valley campground until the fall,” said Kyle on Friday afternoon. “Now that they’re closed because of the virus, we have to stay here.”

Last week, by-law officers came to the houseboat to notify the Maynes that they must leave the property because they are in noncompliance with the Comprehensive Zoning By-law.

According to Andy Harrison, the chief of by-law enforcement for the County, while the plot of land that the couple’s houseboat is on does allow for a secondary dwelling, the home must be built for year-round use and meet all the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.

“Trailers or in this case a boat is not permitted to be used as a dwelling on that property,” said Harrison via email.

Harrison continued to say that by-law enforcement is complaint-driven and in this case, a neighbour complained about the houseboat.

Kathlene told Global News Friday afternoon that they have found another friend’s property in Picton, where Kyle is preparing to pull the houseboat.

But they say that doesn’t help much.

“Because of social distancing, we cant live with family or friends. We might have to live in our car,” Kathlene said.

She expressed displeasure with her neighbours for complaining about them living in the houseboat, “I’m really upset and hurt with the community.”

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