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Local laws against vehicle dwelling
Some localities, lawfully or otherwise, restrict RV- and van-life. It may be in the RVdweller's best interest to vote with their feet and deprive those localities of their economic impact.
In the list below, preference is given to entries backed up by primary and/or secondary sources. Unsubstantiated listings use the word “unofficial” or similar.
Alabama
Fairhope city code says “it shall be unlawful for any person to sleep in an automobile, van, truck, camper, trailer, or other vehicle of any kind or nature within the corporate limits”… between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 p.m.
1)
Huntsville “outlawed sleeping inside vehicles parked along public roads”
2)
Arizona
Ajo in Pima county issues “littering” tickets for depositing trash in park trash receptacles.
3)
Flagstaff
forbids “living quarters” use of RVs parked in residential areas zones
4)
forbids overnight parking in commercial zones
5)
forbids commercial owners from posting “camping allowed” signs
6)
forbids parking in city-owned parking lots.
7)
passed an ordinance to let residents write parking violation tickets to each other
8)
Unofficially, Flagstaff is infamous for being anti-RV.
9),
10),
11),
12)
Kingman forbids street parking of RVs and similar vehicles.
13)
Phoenix prohibits camping on city lands, and also has a sit/lie law.
14)
In
Sierra Vista “it is unlawful for any trailer, camper, mobile home, boat, trailer house, motor home, or other recreational vehicle to be parked in a public street, alley, or other public place for more than five days within a 30-day period.”
15)
In
Yuma overnight camping by any person, whether or not such camping takes place in a motor vehicle, shall be prohibited upon any public or private land, which property is not licensed by the city as a campground
16)
California
Colorado
Also see the https://www.colosafeparking.org/
in
Buena Vista “It shall be unlawful for any person to camp in any public park or recreation area or upon any public property, or to set up a tent, shack, recreational/camping vehicle, camping vehicle or any other shelter upon such property for such purpose within the town”
67)
Colorado Springs extended the county ban below to include all public streets.
68),
69)
In
El Paso county (which includes
Colorado Springs), RVs may not be parked on public roads.
70)
In
Fort Collins, 495 arrests were made for camping on city property (including parks and undeveloped land).
71) The city has also arrested people for sleeping overnight in a vehicle at a designated rest stop.
72)
Lakewood bans RV and trailer parking on city streets.
73)
In
Longmont RVs must be moved at least 600' within 48hrs of having notice issued or tires chalked by police.
74) Update: the new law prohibits “parking [recreational vehicles, camper coaches, camper trailers and mobile homes] on city streets, in alleys, in parking lots near trailheads and inside city parks, and on other public rights of way.”
75),
76)
Delaware
In
Aston it is illegal to sleep or live in a vehicle.
77)
Florida
in
Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, “RV parking is now allowed only on the east side of E. Railroad Avenue between 5th and 7th Streets… [and] is not allowed anywhere else on the island.”
78)
Georgia
Chatham county - “It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to lodge in, on or about any automobile, truck, trailer, RV, camper, or similar vehicle in any County street, right-of-way, at any County owned or operated parks, boat ramps, grounds, recreational facilities, county owned parking lot, or other public property of Chatham County.”
79)
Tybee Island bans RVs from parking in public spaces.
80)
Hawaii
It is illegal in the state of Hawaii to “habitate” in a vehicle from 6p-6a on city or county streets.
81)
Idaho
Bellevue restricts living in an RV on private property to 21 days.
82)
Boise forbids “sleeping in public”.
83)
Illinois
In
Sandwich City it is illegal to park an RV or trailer on a public street
84)
Indiana
Columbia city codes say “If an RV is brought in to accommodate temporary visitors, it cannot stay on that property longer than seven consecutive days or 14 days annually. In no instance shall an RV be occupied or used for sleeping, living or housekeeping purposes, except for short-term use by visitors.”
85)
Louisiana
Kenner bans parking RVs on streets in front of any property.
86)
Maine
Rockland's “comprehensive plan does not allow RVs to be used for overnight occupation for any length of time.”
87)
Maryland
In
Ocean City it is against to law to “sleep in a car”
88)
Michigan
Plymouth township forbids parking RVs on public streets for more than 24 hours.
89)
Sault Ste. Marie bans parking RVs, commercial vehicles, semis and trailers in city streets, public alleys and parking lots.
90)
Montana
Unofficially,
Billings is regarded as anti-RV.
91)
Butte forbids parking RVs on the street for more than two days.
92)
In
Kalispell it is a civil infraction to sleep overnight in vehicles parked on city streets.
93)
Missoula bans “urban camping”.
94)
Nebraska
Papillion bans parking of RVs more than 20' long.
95)
Nevada
Las Vegas prohibits “camping, sleeping and similar activities throughout downtown and in residential areas.”
96)
New Hampshire
Lebanon forbids overnight camping.
97)
New Mexico
In
Las Cruces, “RV owners will be required to obtain a free parking permit to park on city streets. RVs can only be parked on the street for six consecutive days and no more than 18 days within any 90-day period. They must be moved for at least 24 hours between six-day periods. The RV must be parked at the address listed on the permit.”
98)
Roswell ordinances limit “occupation” of RVs on residential city lots to seven days, no more than three times a year.
99)
North Carolina
In
Wrightsville Beach it is illegal to live in an RV.
100)
North Dakota
Mandan limits parking of RVs and trailers over 8'x36' to 12 hours.
101)
Ohio
Struthers forbids RV paarking on public streets
102)
Walbridge forbids RV parking on streets and alleys.
103)
Wooster forbids “the parking of commercial and recreational vehicles on city streets in front of the owner's residence… for more than 24 hours”
104)
Oregon
Clatsop county restricts people from living in their campers, trailers and other recreational vehicles to no more than 30 days out of a 90-day period.
105)
Gearhart bans overnight parking of RVs on city streets.
106) Other reports say there is a 48hr limit.
107)
Medford “bans all unauthorized sleeping or camping on public property anywhere in the city.”
108)
Pennsylvania
In
Middletown “RVs can be parked on a public street for up to 72 hours in any seven-day period, for loading or unloading the vehicle.”
109)
In
Springdale “trailers cannot be parked on any public property, street, alley or right of way” unless loading or unloading and connected to tow vehicle.
110) This effectively bans towable RV parking.
South Carolina
Beaufort bans camping in public places.
111)
Conway bans sleeping in vehicles
112)
Port Royal prohibits using public parks, buildings or grounds to sleep or prepare to sleep, specifically calling out the “laying down of bedding … storing personal belongings, or making any fire or using any tents or shelter or other structure or vehicle for sleeping”
113)
Texas
Copperas Cove bans ”[RV parking] on the city streets. Period”
114)
Fort Stockton code says it is “unlawful to park any vehicle, truck, trailer, boat, recreational vehicle, or other type of delivery truck with a load carrying capacity of more than one (1) ton on any street or alley within the city limits…“
115)
Liberty City bans parking RVs and motorhomes on public property.
116)
Mesquite bans RV parking on the street for more than 24 hours.
117)
Port Arthur bans sleeping in parks (and apparently the parking lots of parks).
118)
Van Horn bans overnight parking or camping.
119)
Utah
St. George limits street parking of vehicles to 24hrs and trailers to 96hrs.
120)
Virginia
Roanoke County forbids sleeping in vehicles, or “sleeping in recreational vehicles outside of established campgrounds”.
121) Another source says Roanoke County Code 13-14 “makes it illegal for people to sleep in their cars and subjects them to warrantless seizures and searches by police and a fine of $250”.
122)
Washington
In
Anacortes police say it is illegal to sleep in a vehicle within city limits.
123)
In
Bellingham it is illegal to park with any part of the vehicle outside the parking spot's lines.
124),
125)
in
Clark County “automobiles will be able to park on county roads for up to 24 hours without a permit, but RVs will require a permit.”
126)
In
Lacey “camping” in streets, parks, etc is illegal.
127) Also, RV and commercial vehicle parking is limited to 4 hours.
128)
Steilacoom forbids living in RVs and regards tiny houses as RVs.
129)
Tacoma limits sleeping in vehicles on public streets to 72 hrs, after which they driver must move at least 1 mile.
130). Public camping is also not allowed.
131)
Wisconsin
Kiel prohibits “overnight parking of trailers, motorhomes, camping trailers, boat trailers, etc. on public streets”
132)
New London codes forbid overnight camping in vehicles, tents, campers and motor homes on city-owned properties such as streets, avenues, alleys, parks and parking lots
133)
Wyoming
Casper forbids sleeping in parking lots within city limits.
134)
Rock Springs code states: “Campers, RV’s, trailers or any recreational vehicle parked on the right of way can only be parked for 100 hours total. Recreational vehicles parked on the right of way with expired registration will be considered abandoned per Wyoming State Statue 31-13-104.”
135)
International
Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada bans “motorhomes, camper vans, fifth wheel trailers, popup campers, and truck campers” parking on streets.
136)