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Local laws affecting vehicle-dwellers

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.

After Martin v. City of Boise in 2019 the approach of ordinances started shifting somewhat for states in the 9th Circuit.1) That ruling

recognized the right for unsheltered individuals to sleep in public when shelter is not available. The ruling allows for reasonable restrictions on when and where people can camp on public property if no other shelter is available.2)

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. Seasonal street parking laws due to snowplowing are not included.

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.3)
  • Huntsville “outlawed sleeping inside vehicles parked along public roads”4)

Arizona

  • Ajo in Pima county issues “littering” tickets for depositing trash in park trash receptacles.5)
  • 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).”6)
  • Flagstaff
    • forbids “living quarters” use of RVs parked in residential areas zones7)
    • forbids overnight parking in commercial zones8)
    • forbids commercial owners from posting “camping allowed” signs9)
    • forbids parking in city-owned parking lots.10)
    • passed an ordinance to let residents write parking violation tickets to each other11)
    • Unofficially, Flagstaff is infamous for being anti-RV.12),13),14),15)
  • Kingman forbids street parking of RVs and similar vehicles.16)
  • Phoenix prohibits camping on city lands, and also has a sit/lie law.17)
  • 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.”18)
  • 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 19)

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.”20)

California

  • Aliso Viejo prohibits sleeping in cars.21)
  • Berkeley forbids parking on the street in one place for more than 72 hours.22) 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”.23)
  • Cerritos bans “prohibits vehicle parking on public roadways from 3 a.m. until 5 a.m. without a City issued overnight parking permit”24)
  • Costa Mesa forbids sleeping in vehicles, and window coverings must be open giving full view of interior.25),26)
  • 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.”27)
  • Fairfield bans “storage or parking of vehicles on public streets… The section specifies recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, commercial and oversized vehicles, but can also apply to passenger cars and trucks”.28)
  • Folsom forbids RV parking in the street for more than 72 hours.29)
  • 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.”30)
  • Fresno forbids parking large vehicles within 1000' of the same place for more than 24 hours in a week.31)
  • Fullerton bans “all RV parking on public and private streets citywide unless first obtaining a temporary permit from the police department”32), although they have a Safe Parking program33) for city residents/34),35),36)
  • Garden Grove effectively bans RV parking on public streets for non-residents.37)
  • Gilroy prohibits parking RVs on city streets for more than two days.38)
  • Grover Beach has extensive rules about sleeping in vehicles and public places. See Chapter 14 of Article III of their municipal code. (pdf)
  • Hanford forbids parking RVs on city streets for more than 72 hours.39)
  • Holtville forbids parking any vehicle on city streets for more than 72 hours.40)
  • 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.41)
  • Lake Forest prohibits sleeping in cars.42)
  • * Lemoore forbids parking RVs on city streets for more than 72 hours in any 30-day period.43)
  • Imperial Beach forbids “human habitation in vehicle 10p - 7a”.44)
  • Irvine prohibits sleeping in cars.45)
  • Laguna Niguel prohibits sleeping in cars.46)
  • Lompoc probihits “overnight parking of recreational vehicles on city streets without a permit. Permits will only be issued to city residents”.47) The previous law nammed “overnight parking between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. in… the 300 block of North Ninth Street, Industrial Way, and Chestnut Court.”48)
  • Long Beach forbids parking oversized vehicles (including RVs) on residential streets, starting in 2018.49)
  • 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.50) 51),52) The previous ban had been struck down for being overly broad.53) L.A. has a safe parking program.
    • bans RVs from being parked along various streets in Venice between the hours of 2 to 6 a.m. Watch for signs and for a street list in the source article. 54)
  • “Camping” in Manteca requires a permit from the police chief.55)
  • Marina forbids RV parking on the street.56)
  • Martinez forbids illegal camping and sleeping in vehicles.57)
  • Mission Viejo prohibits sleeping in cars,58) RVs, trailers, or automobiles. Sleeping in public is also prohibited.59).
  • Monterey County (including these cities) has begun enforcement of RV camping.60)
  • 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.”61),62) Note: some street parking may be available in designated areas.
  • Novato bans RV parking on city streets, although permits may be available from police.63)
  • Pacifica bans RVs and other oversized vehicles from parking on certain streets.64)
  • Palo Alto forbids sleeping in a vehicle65) and leaving a vehicle parked on a city street, alley or public lot for 72 consecutive hours or more.66)
  • 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.67)
  • Rancho Santa Margarita prohibits sleeping in cars.68)
  • Redwood City will have safe RV parking near the PD and a street permit parking program.69)
  • Ripon forbids camping in RVs even on private property.70)
  • Sacramento limits street parking to 72 hours.71)
  • Salinas bans “vehicles in excess of 20-feet long and 7-feet tall from parking in city-owned streets.”72)
  • 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.”73)
  • San Clemente prohibits sleeping in cars.74)
  • 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.75)
    Note: SD repealed the original ban in February 201976) and passed a new one in May 2019.
  • San Francisco prohibits overnight sleeping in vehicles.77) It also forbids RVs (and vehicles over 22' long or 7' tall) from parking on the street from midnight to 6am where posted.78) SF bans RV parking in the Portola area.79)
  • San Juan Capistrano prohibits sleeping in cars.80)
  • 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…81)
  • San Rafael bans parking RVs in the same place for more than 72 hours.82)
  • Santa Barbara forbids RV parking on streets.83)
  • Santa Clarita forbids sitting on sidewalks, sleeping in public buildings, or sleeping in cars on public streets or in parking lots.84)
  • 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”85),86) Safe Parking may be available.
  • Santa Monica prohibits overnight parking of large vehicles87)
  • In Santa Rosa RVs and oversized vehicles will “not be allowed on streets, alleys or city lots 12-5 a.m.”88) 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.
  • Saratoga law states “RVs, boats and commercial trailers longer than 20 feet or taller than 8 feet cannot be parked in residential areas between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. for more than 72 consecutive hours…These vehicles must be moved at least a mile away within that time frame to be code compliant.”89)
  • 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.90) Sleeping in vehicles is prohibited from 9pm - 9am.91)
  • Sebastopol has extensive rules about parking RVs in the city. See the language of the law.
  • Tustin prohibits sleeping in cars.92)

Colorado

Note: see the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative

  • Alamosa restricts camping on public city land93) and limits RV and trailer parking on city streets.94)
  • 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”95)
  • Colorado Springs extended the county ban below to include all public streets.96),97)
  • Denver RVs >22' can only park for 24hrs on public right of ways in residential areas. In other areas the limit is 72hrs.98)
  • In El Paso county (which includes Colorado Springs), RVs may not be parked on public roads.99)
  • In Fort Collins, 495 arrests were made for camping on city property (including parks and undeveloped land).100) The city has also arrested people for sleeping overnight in a vehicle at a designated rest stop.101)
  • Lakewood bans RV and trailer parking on city streets.102)
  • In Longmont RVs must be moved at least 600' within 48hrs of having notice issued or tires chalked by police.103) 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.”104),105)
  • 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.”106)

Delaware

  • In Aston it is illegal to sleep or live in a vehicle.107)

Florida

  • Atlantic Beach forbids camping, sleeping, and lodging in public spaces.108) The law appears to be aimed at the traditionally homeless but may affect 'dwellers.
  • 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.”109)
  • in Sarasota “ No overnight RV Parking is permitted, and vehicles need to fit within the allowed parking spaces.” The city website goes on to say: “Please Note: The city works very hard at protecting public access to parking spaces through. City of Sarasota Parking Code 33-118 prohibits a parker from relocating from one space to another on that block or any other block within one block radius in any direction for the ordinal parking space, including both sides of the relevant streets…” 110)

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.”111)
  • Tybee Island bans RVs from parking in public spaces.112)

Hawaii

Note: a pilot program providing safe parking in Maui is underway.113)

  • It is illegal in the state of Hawaii to “habitate” in a vehicle from 6p-6a on city or county streets.114)

Idaho

  • Bellevue restricts living in an RV on private property to 21 days.115)
  • Boise forbids “sleeping in public”.116)
  • Clarkston bans parking RVs over 24 hours on public streets, due to “numerous complaints about a substantial increase in people living in recreational vehicles”.117)
  • Grangeville bans parking/storing RVs “for three consecutive days from 2 to 4 a.m.”118)

Illinois

  • In Sandwich City it is illegal to park an RV or trailer on a public street119)

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.”120)
  • Frankton “prohibits people from living in recreational vehicles within the city limits”121)
  • Shelbyville bans parking of RVs and campers in city park parking lots at any time.122)

Kansas

  • in Great Bend “no person shall reside in, live in, use as a residence, or use as a dwelling, any recreational vehicle parked within the corporate limits of the city, except within a campground RV park or mobile home park for which a conditional use permit has been obtained.”123) This law appears to be aimed at people living in RVs on residential properties (yards, driveways, etc) but the wording is broad enough to affect nomads.

Louisiana

  • Kenner bans parking RVs on streets in front of any property.124)

Maine

  • Rockland's “comprehensive plan does not allow RVs to be used for overnight occupation for any length of time.”125)

Maryland

  • In Ocean City it is against to law to “sleep in a car”126)

Massachusetts

  • In Wellesley “No person shall park any vehicle, except in an emergency, on any street for a period of time longer than one (1) hour between the hours of 2 A.M. and 6 A.M. of any day.”127) (pdf)

Michigan

  • Coldwater prohibits “parking between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m”128)
  • Plymouth township forbids parking RVs on public streets for more than 24 hours.129)
  • Sault Ste. Marie bans parking RVs, commercial vehicles, semis and trailers in city streets, public alleys and parking lots.130)

Mississippi

  • in Southaven setting up tents, camping, or sleeping on public property, or in vehicles parked on city streets is not allowed.131)

Montana

  • Unofficially, Billings is regarded as anti-RV.132)
  • Butte forbids parking RVs on the street for more than two days.133)
  • In Kalispell it is a civil infraction to sleep overnight in vehicles parked on city streets.134)
  • 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”.135)
  • Missoula bans “urban camping”.136)

Nebraska

  • In Grand Island “RVs may not be parked for longer than 24 hours in a seven day period”.137)
  • Papillion bans parking of RVs more than 20' long.138)

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”139)
  • Las Vegas prohibits “camping, sleeping and similar activities throughout downtown and in residential areas.”140)
  • In Sparks it is unlawful for the owner or driver of any vehicle, trailer or vehicle and trailer having an overall length of more than 15 feet to stand or park the same at any time on any public street, highway or alley, except immediately in front of the property of the owner141)

New Hampshire

  • Greenville prohibits parking on Main Street from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m..142)
  • Lebanon forbids overnight camping.143)

New Jersey

  • in Beachwood “sleeping or living in vehicles” is illegal144)
  • Oaklyn “prohibits parking on any street in the borough between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m. daily.”145)
  • Seaside Heights “prohibits a person from sleeping in a vehicle overnight on both public and private property, except for RVs that are legally parked.”146)

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.”147)
  • Roswell ordinances limit “occupation” of RVs on residential city lots to seven days, no more than three times a year. FIXME148)

New York

  • in Cortland “The parking of vehicles is hereby prohibited on all highways, roadways, or municipal parking lots within the corporate limits of this City between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. with the exception of specific signed areas within the municipal parking lot designated for Residential Permit Permits.”149)
  • Fulton “prohibits the parking of any motor vehicle in/on any city street or city parking lot from 1:30 a.m. through 5:30 a.m. from November 1 to April 1.”150)
  • Lockport bans parking on public streets >48hrs151)

North Carolina

  • In Wrightsville Beach it is illegal to live in an RV.152)

North Dakota

  • Mandan limits parking of RVs and trailers over 8'x36' to 12 hours.153)

Ohio

  • Eastlake apparently has an overnight parking ban for city streets. Cf. Willoughby
  • North Canton “prohibits on-street overnight parking for more than 30 minutes between 2 and 6 a.m.”154)
  • in Perry Village “All-night parking on streets is now forbidden between midnight and 8 a.m.” year-'round.155)
  • Struthers forbids RV paarking on public streets156)
  • Walbridge forbids RV parking on streets and alleys.157)
  • Wickliffe apparently has an overnight parking ban for city streets. Cf. Willoughby
  • Willoughby apparently has an overnight parking ban for city streets.158)
  • Wooster forbids “the parking of commercial and recreational vehicles on city streets in front of the owner's residence… for more than 24 hours”159)

Oregon

  • Brookings has a “city ordinance about illegal camping”160); 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.161)
  • Eugene prohibits “vehicles from parking within the same block for longer than three days. Vehicles must be moved at least two-blocks away.”162)
  • Florence “requires those living in vehicles to move at least 600 feet every 72 hours…. shorter time limits in places like Old Town would remain in place.”163)
  • Gearhart bans overnight parking of RVs on city streets.164) Other reports say there is a 48hr limit.165)
  • McMinnville prohibits RVs and trailers from parking in city parks166)
  • Medford “bans all unauthorized sleeping or camping on public property anywhere in the city.”167) In 2023 the city added 500ft “buffer zones” around schools and homeless shelters, 50ft around waterways, and upgraded vehicle camping from a violation to a misdemeanor.168)
  • The Dalles requires a permit for parking overnight in city-owned lots.169)

Pennsylvania

  • Akron bans “on-street overnight parking for commercial and recreational vehicles. The new law bans parking for such vehicles from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m.”170)
  • in Bellefonte “At no time shall a recreational vehicle be used for living or housekeeping purposes”171)
  • 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.”172)
  • 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.173) This effectively bans towable RV parking.

Rhode Island

  • In Cranston “overnight street parking exceeding two hours between 1 and 7 A.M. is prohibited”.174)

South Carolina

  • Beaufort bans camping in public places.175)
  • Conway bans sleeping in vehicles176)
  • 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” 177)

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.”178)

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.”179) This should not affect vandwellers.

Texas

  • Copperas Cove bans “[RV parking] on the city streets. Period”180)
  • 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…“181)
  • Leon Valley “bans camping, lodging, or putting up a tent overnight in any public park or other recreational space. The ordinance also outlaws sleeping in a vehicle parked on a city street for more than 24-hours, or more than two-hours on a highway in the city limits. People aren’t allowed to use vehicles, campers, or trailer coaches as their primary residences…”182)
  • Liberty City bans parking RVs and motorhomes on public property.183)
  • Mesquite bans RV parking on the street for more than 24 hours.184)
  • Port Arthur bans sleeping in parks (and apparently the parking lots of parks).185)
  • Van Horn bans overnight parking or camping.186)

Utah

  • Ogden prohibits staying in cars or recreational vehicles parked on public property187)
  • St. George limits street parking of vehicles to 24hrs and trailers to 96hrs.188)

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”.189)
  • Roanoke County forbids sleeping in vehicles, or “sleeping in recreational vehicles outside of established campgrounds”.190) 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”.191)

Washington

  • In Anacortes police say it is illegal to sleep in a vehicle within city limits.192) RV parking is limited to 24 hours.193)
  • In Bellingham it is illegal to park with any part of the vehicle outside the parking spot's lines194),195) or park in one place for more than 72 hours.196)
  • in Centralia “camping is prohibited and RVs can only remain parked on any street, alley or public parking lot for 16 hours or less”197)
  • 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.”198)
  • In Lacey “camping” in streets, parks, etc is illegal.199) Also, RV and commercial vehicle parking is limited to 4 hours.200)
  • Lewis County (Centralia, Chehalis, etc) bans unauthorized camping or camping on county lands except in areas specifically designated, designed or constructed for this purpose.201)
  • Steilacoom forbids living in RVs and regards tiny houses as RVs.202)
  • Tacoma limits sleeping in vehicles on public streets to 72 hrs, after which they driver must move at least 1 mile.203). Public camping is also not allowed.204)
  • Wenatchee “prohibits RVs from parking on city streets unless actively loading or unloading”.205)

Wisconsin

Wyoming

  • Casper forbids sleeping in parking lots within city limits.209)
  • 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.”210)
  • in Sundance “it is not lawful for a person to keep or maintain an RV on a public street or on land that belongs to someone else or is public land without express permission”211) The article suggests homeowners may park on or in front of their own property for up to two weeks.

International

  • Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada bans “motorhomes, camper vans, fifth wheel trailers, popup campers, and truck campers” parking on streets.212)
1)
AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA
93)
like the Cattails golf course
148)
referred to in RV newsletter
camping/banned.1696429756.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/10/04 10:29 by frater_secessus