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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)
  • Coolidge bans “untended, unattached trailers specifically, city-wide, but can include unattached work trailers, off-highway vehicles on trailers, boats on trailers and RVs that are parked along the sides of roads continuously and for long periods of time (possibly longer than 48hrs).”4)
  • Flagstaff
    • forbids “living quarters” use of RVs parked in residential areas zones5)
    • forbids overnight parking in commercial zones6)
    • forbids commercial owners from posting “camping allowed” signs7)
    • forbids parking in city-owned parking lots.8)
    • passed an ordinance to let residents write parking violation tickets to each other9)
    • Unofficially, Flagstaff is infamous for being anti-RV.10),11),12),13)
  • Kingman forbids street parking of RVs and similar vehicles.14)
  • Phoenix prohibits camping on city lands, and also has a sit/lie law.15)
  • 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.”16)
  • 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 17)

Arkansas

  • Fayetteville bans “overnight parking of trucks, tractors and trailers with a capacity of over one ton, including motorhomes, recreational vehicles (RVs), fifth wheel trailers and camper trailers… on any city street between midnight and 6 a.m.”18)

California

  • Aliso Viejo prohibits sleeping in cars.19)
  • Berkeley forbids parking on the street in one place for more than 72 hours.20) OTOH, “Berkeley City Council voted to repeal a 1970 ordinance that prohibits anyone from residing in a vehicle within city limits, as well as a 2019 ordinance prohibiting overnight parking of RVs or campers”.21)
  • Cerritos bans “prohibits vehicle parking on public roadways from 3 a.m. until 5 a.m. without a City issued overnight parking permit”22)
  • Costa Mesa forbids sleeping in vehicles, and window coverings must be open giving full view of interior.23),24)
  • in Del Norte county “overnight camping is prohibited in the following areas: The mouth of the Smith River; the Point St. George access area; Never Dying Redwood; Pyke Field sports complex; Bertsch Oceanview Park; Hunter Creek Park; Klamath Townsite Park; Klamath Community Park; the Klamath Townsite boat launch facility and the Klamath Glen boat ramp.”25)
  • Folsom forbids RV parking in the street for more than 72 hours.26)
  • Fortuna “prohibits sleeping in a vehicle between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in any public place or private parking lot without the consent of the lot’s owner.”27)
  • Fresno forbids parking large vehicles within 1000' of the same place for more than 24 hours in a week.28)
  • Fullerton bans “all RV parking on public and private streets citywide unless first obtaining a temporary permit from the police department”29), although they have a Safe Parking program30) for city residents/31),32),33)
  • Garden Grove effectively bans RV parking on public streets for non-residents.34)
  • Gilroy prohibits parking RVs on city streets for more than two days.35)
  • Hanford forbids parking RVs on city streets for more than 72 hours.36)
  • Holtville forbids parking any vehicle on city streets for more than 72 hours.37)
  • Humboldt County (inc. Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, etc) Ordinance 314-81.1.1.1 forbids “illegal residence in a non-designated area”
  • Hanford forbids parking RVs on city streets for more than 72 hours.38)
  • Lake Forest prohibits sleeping in cars.39)
  • * Lemoore forbids parking RVs on city streets for more than 72 hours in any 30-day period.40)
  • Imperial Beach forbids “human habitation in vehicle 10p - 7a”.41)
  • Irvine prohibits sleeping in cars.42)
  • Laguna Niguel prohibits sleeping in cars.43)
  • Long Beach forbids parking oversized vehicles (including RVs) on residential streets, starting in 2018.44)
  • Los Angeles forbids living in a vehicle between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. in residential districts, or at any time within one block of a school, park, or daycare.45) 46),47) The previous ban had been struck down for being overly broad.48) L.A. has a safe parking program.
  • “Camping” in Manteca requires a permit from the police chief.49)
  • Marina forbids RV parking on the street.50)
  • Martinez forbids illegal camping and sleeping in vehicles.51)
  • Mission Viejo prohibits sleeping in cars,52) RVs, trailers, or automobiles. Sleeping in public is also prohibited.53).
  • Monterey County (including these cities) has begun enforcement of RV camping.54)
  • Mountain View bans parking vehicles over 6' tall on some streets. The “ordinance {curtails} these encampments by restricting so-called oversized vehicles, defined as any auto or trailer more than 7 feet high, 7 feet wide or 22 feet long.”55),56) Note: some street parking may be available in designated areas.
  • Novato bans RV parking on city streets, although permits may be available from police.57)
  • Pacifica bans RVs and other oversized vehicles from parking on certain streets.58)
  • Palo Alto forbids sleeping in a vehicle59) and leaving a vehicle parked on a city street, alley or public lot for 72 consecutive hours or more.60)
  • Placentia bans “the parking of all habitable recreational vehicles, such as RVs, within the city at all times” and “sleeping and/or living in cars on city streets between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.”.
  • Porterville bans use of RVs as residences.61)
  • Rancho Santa Margarita prohibits sleeping in cars.62)
  • Redwood City will have safe RV parking near the PD and a street permit parking program.63)
  • Ripon forbids camping in RVs even on private property.64)
  • Sacramento limits street parking to 72 hours.65)
  • Salinas bans “vehicles in excess of 20-feet long and 7-feet tall from parking in city-owned streets.”66)
  • Santee statutes require RVs “be moved 300 feet every 72 hours, and prevent them from being parked within 50 feet of an intersection or marked crosswalk.”67)
  • San Clemente prohibits sleeping in cars.68)
  • San Diego forbids dwelling 9p-6a, and dwelling at any time within 500' of residences or schools. The statute lays out factors which might be construed to represent dwelling.69)
    Note: SD repealed the original ban in February 201970) and passed a new one in May 2019.
  • San Francisco prohibits overnight sleeping in vehicles.71) It also forbids RVs (and vehicles over 22' long or 7' tall) from parking on the street from midnight to 6am where posted.72) SF bans RV parking in the Portola area.73)
  • San Juan Capistrano prohibits sleeping in cars.74)
  • San Luis Opisbo won't allow people to “camp or sleep within the vehicle during the hours of ten p.m. to six a.m…. on the public streets or specified public areas…75)
  • San Rafael bans parking RVs in the same place for more than 72 hours.76)
  • Santa Barbara forbids RV parking on streets.77)
  • Santa Clarita forbids sitting on sidewalks, sleeping in public buildings, or sleeping in cars on public streets or in parking lots.78)
  • Santa Cruz law “bans the large vehicles’ overnight parking on city streets and lots from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m…. Recreational vehicle utility hookups and the vehicles themselves [can not] impinge or block public rights of way”79),80) Safe Parking may be available.
  • Santa Monica prohibits overnight parking of large vehicles81)
  • In Santa Rosa RVs and oversized vehicles will “not be allowed on streets, alleys or city lots 12-5 a.m.”82) Oversize vehicles” are vehicles or trailers at least 20 feet long. Vehicles that are at least 8 feet tall and 7 feet wide also are considered oversize. See article for Safe Parking options.
  • Seal Beach requires a permit to park oversize vehicles on city streets, and cannot remain in place for more than 72hrs. Unattached trailers are not permitted.83) Sleeping in vehicles is prohibited from 9pm - 9am.84)
  • “Starting March 26th [2022], Sebastopol will no longer allow RVs to park on city streets during the day.”85)
  • Tustin prohibits sleeping in cars.86)

Colorado

Note: see the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative

  • Alamosa restricts camping on public city land87) and limits RV and trailer parking on city streets.88)
  • 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”89)
  • Colorado Springs extended the county ban below to include all public streets.90),91)
  • Denver RVs >22' can only park for 24hrs on public right of ways in residential areas. In other areas the limit is 72hrs.92)
  • In El Paso county (which includes Colorado Springs), RVs may not be parked on public roads.93)
  • In Fort Collins, 495 arrests were made for camping on city property (including parks and undeveloped land).94) The city has also arrested people for sleeping overnight in a vehicle at a designated rest stop.95)
  • Lakewood bans RV and trailer parking on city streets.96)
  • In Longmont RVs must be moved at least 600' within 48hrs of having notice issued or tires chalked by police.97) 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.”98),99)
  • Pueblo prohibits ”…overnight RV parking to the city’s licensed RV parks. People staying the night elsewhere, whether in the Walmart parking lot, on the side of the road or at a church, face a fine of $1,000 per day and up to one year in jail.”100)

Delaware

  • In Aston it is illegal to sleep or live in a vehicle.101)

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.”102)

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.”103)
  • Tybee Island bans RVs from parking in public spaces.104)

Hawaii

Note: a pilot program providing safe parking in Maui is underway.105)

  • It is illegal in the state of Hawaii to “habitate” in a vehicle from 6p-6a on city or county streets.106)

Idaho

  • Bellevue restricts living in an RV on private property to 21 days.107)
  • Boise forbids “sleeping in public”.108)
  • Clarkston bans parking RVs over 24 hours on public streets, due to “numerous complaints about a substantial increase in people living in recreational vehicles”.109)

Illinois

  • In Sandwich City it is illegal to park an RV or trailer on a public street110)

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.”111)
  • Frankton “prohibits people from living in recreational vehicles within the city limits”112)
  • Shelbyville bans parking of RVs and campers in city park parking lots at any time.113)

Louisiana

  • Kenner bans parking RVs on streets in front of any property.114)

Maine

  • Rockland's “comprehensive plan does not allow RVs to be used for overnight occupation for any length of time.”115)

Maryland

  • In Ocean City it is against to law to “sleep in a car”116)

Michigan

  • Plymouth township forbids parking RVs on public streets for more than 24 hours.117)
  • Sault Ste. Marie bans parking RVs, commercial vehicles, semis and trailers in city streets, public alleys and parking lots.118)

Montana

  • Unofficially, Billings is regarded as anti-RV.119)
  • Butte forbids parking RVs on the street for more than two days.120)
  • In Kalispell it is a civil infraction to sleep overnight in vehicles parked on city streets.121)
  • In Great Falls after March 15, 2022 it will be “unlawful to park a recreational vehicle, trailer or vessel on public right-of-way in any residential zoning district”.122)
  • Missoula bans “urban camping”.123)

Nebraska

  • In Grand Island “RVs may not be parked for longer than 24 hours in a seven day period”.124)
  • Papillion bans parking of RVs more than 20' long.125)

Nevada

  • in Carson City “RVs and boats can be parked on a city street for up to 72 hours per occurrence, and there can’t be more than two occurrences within 30 days”126)
  • Las Vegas prohibits “camping, sleeping and similar activities throughout downtown and in residential areas.”127)

New Hampshire

  • Greenville prohibits parking on Main Street from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m..128)
  • Lebanon forbids overnight camping.129)

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.”130)
  • Roswell ordinances limit “occupation” of RVs on residential city lots to seven days, no more than three times a year. FIXME131)

North Carolina

  • In Wrightsville Beach it is illegal to live in an RV.132)

North Dakota

  • Mandan limits parking of RVs and trailers over 8'x36' to 12 hours.133)

Ohio

  • in Perry Village “All-night parking on streets is now forbidden between midnight and 8 a.m.” year-'round.134)
  • Struthers forbids RV paarking on public streets135)
  • Walbridge forbids RV parking on streets and alleys.136)
  • Wooster forbids “the parking of commercial and recreational vehicles on city streets in front of the owner's residence… for more than 24 hours”137)

Oregon

  • Brookings has a “city ordinance about illegal camping”138); the blotter reports suggest locals call the police on stealth campers.
  • 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.139)
  • Eugene prohibits “vehicles from parking within the same block for longer than three days. Vehicles must be moved at least two-blocks away.”140)
  • Gearhart bans overnight parking of RVs on city streets.141) Other reports say there is a 48hr limit.142)
  • Medford “bans all unauthorized sleeping or camping on public property anywhere in the city.”143)

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.”144)
  • 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.145) This effectively bans towable RV parking.

South Carolina

  • Beaufort bans camping in public places.146)
  • Conway bans sleeping in vehicles147)
  • 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” 148)

South Dakota

  • in Lead “Ordinance 79.07 addresses trailers that are not connected to a vehicle, and prohibits them from being parked in the public right of way or on city lots for longer than 24 hours.”149)

Tennesee

  • Statewide in TN it is illegal to “camp on the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway; or camp under a bridge or overpass, or within an underpass, of a state or interstate highway.”150) This should not affect vandwellers.

Texas

  • Copperas Cove bans “[RV parking] on the city streets. Period”151)
  • 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…“152)
  • Liberty City bans parking RVs and motorhomes on public property.153)
  • Mesquite bans RV parking on the street for more than 24 hours.154)
  • Port Arthur bans sleeping in parks (and apparently the parking lots of parks).155)
  • Van Horn bans overnight parking or camping.156)

Utah

  • St. George limits street parking of vehicles to 24hrs and trailers to 96hrs.157)

Virginia

  • Roanoke (city) forbids “the use of any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley, other public rights-of-way for living accommodation activities such as sleeping or lying down, and making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedding, sleeping bag, or other sleeping matter, for the purpose of sleeping) or storing personal belongings or making any fire or using any tent or shelter or other structure”.158)
  • Roanoke County forbids sleeping in vehicles, or “sleeping in recreational vehicles outside of established campgrounds”.159) 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”.160)

Washington

  • In Anacortes police say it is illegal to sleep in a vehicle within city limits.161)
  • In Bellingham it is illegal to park with any part of the vehicle outside the parking spot's lines162),163) or park in one place for more than 72 hours.164)
  • 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.”165)
  • In Lacey “camping” in streets, parks, etc is illegal.166) Also, RV and commercial vehicle parking is limited to 4 hours.167)
  • Steilacoom forbids living in RVs and regards tiny houses as RVs.168)
  • Tacoma limits sleeping in vehicles on public streets to 72 hrs, after which they driver must move at least 1 mile.169). Public camping is also not allowed.170)

Wisconsin

  • Kiel prohibits “overnight parking of trailers, motorhomes, camping trailers, boat trailers, etc. on public streets”171)
  • 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 lots172)

Wyoming

  • Casper forbids sleeping in parking lots within city limits.173)
  • 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.”174)

International

  • Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada bans “motorhomes, camper vans, fifth wheel trailers, popup campers, and truck campers” parking on streets.175)
  • Wawa, Ontario, Canada. Between October 15 – May 15 winter parking by-waw No. 2513-11 “prohibits parking upon any street within the municipality between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. It is also unlawful to park any vehicle, trailer or vessel on any boulevard in the municipality.”176)
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like the Cattails golf course
131)
referred to in RV newsletter
camping/banned.1665509280.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/10/11 13:28 by frater_secessus