Some freedom camping across Christchurch has been banned after amendments to the current bylaw were approved by the Christchurch City Council (CCC) on Wednesday.
The amendments mean all vehicles that don't have a toilet on board will not be allowed to freedom camp right across the district.
Councillors voted unanimously earlier in the year in support of the proposal and today approved the changes.
Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner says it was important to still allow freedom campers into the city.
"It's important to highlight that Christchurch is still very much open to freedom campers and other visitors looking to make the most of low-cost camping grounds," he says.
The council has received numerous complaints about non-self-contained freedom campers. The majority of the complaints have been in relation to campers not using toilets or disposing of waste water and rubbish properly.
Mr Turner says the council had a responsibility to provide a well-managed and safe area.
"With the city's visitor numbers increasing year on year, the Council must take a long-term view and balance the interests of freedom campers with those of residents, other visitors and our local environment," he says.
"The recent public consultation showed a clear majority of submitters were in general support of the changes to the Freedom Camping Bylaw, and this gave confidence to the Council's decision today."
In December, the CCC passed a bylaw banning freedom camping across most of the city, leaving just five permitted locations, which led to overcrowding at other sites.
They are now permanently closed to all freedom camping.
Mr Turner says the council worked with local communities to determine an appropriate outcome.
"If freedom camping was going to happen it needed to happen in a way that was sustainable, that respected the environment and respected our own local communities."
The new rules come into effect on December 1.
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