Can I Park My RV In My Backyard?

‍If you want to keep your RV close and avoid expensive RV park fees, you should see if you can park your RV in your backyard.

You can park your RV in your backyard if your local government and homeowners association allow you to do so. You might have to add walls, solid flooring, or make other adjustments to your home to meet certain requirements.

I’ve had several RVs over the years and greatly enjoyed the convenience of parking it in my backyard or other areas on my property. With careful research and planning, you might also be able to park your RV in your backyard.

‍Government Laws And HOA Rules About Parked RVs

Before parking your RV in your backyard, you should make sure you are allowed to do so according to your local government laws.

Your local government or HOA (homeowners association) might require RV owners to acquire certain permits and licenses to park an RV in their backyard.

You should check with your municipal government offices to make sure you are up to speed with zoning laws and other regulations that could affect your ability to park your RV in your backyard.

Visiting websites and online message boards can also be useful for learning about RV-related laws and rules in your area.

What Property Changes Might I Need To Make?

Depending on your location, you may be required to make adjustments to your property to come in compliance with laws and rules about parking your RV in your backyard.

Even if some adjustments are not required, they might still be a good idea if they improve the storage, security, and mobility of your RV.

Below are some property changes you should consider making before parking your RV in your backyard.

Add Walls To Block Your RV From Outside View

Some city ordinances and HOA rules might restrict you from parking your RV in a place where it is clearly within view from outside your property.

When I first learned about possible regulations that might affect how I park my RV, I was a bit worried about doing something wrong that might result in a fine or worse.

After some research I did online and at local government offices, I realized it was actually quite easy to get all the relevant information.

I learned that one of the most straightforward ways to block my parked RV from outside view is to build a solid wall around it.

You don’t necessarily have to build an all-encompassing wall from scratch though.

If parts of your house block some sides of your RV, you may not have to add walls on every side of your RV.

You can add cement, wood, or other types of solid walls to the sides of your RV that are viewable from outside your property.

Since RVs can be quite tall, you may need walls that are taller than local laws and HOA rules might permit.

For instance, you might need to build walls that are 11 or 12-feet tall if your RV is 10-feet tall.

However, you won’t be permitted to build such walls if there is a wall height limit that is less than 11 feet.

In many cases, it’s a good idea to hire contractors to build a wall on your property for you.

Contractors will have the tools, skills, and understanding to erect a wall according to regulatory guidelines.

Certain types of walls, such as walls made with wood planks, might be easier to build on your own due to instructional videos and other resources available.

I was able to build a wall with the help of a friend to cover one side of our parked RV.

This particular side didn’t require much work since we applied wood planks to an existing foundation.

Add A Solid Parking Pad To The RV Parking Spot

For something as large and heavy as an RV, having a solid parking pad beneath it will help to keep it stable and prevent oil and other liquids from leaking into the soil.

My city and HOA required me to add a parking pad for my RV, but I would have added it regardless since it’s better for the environment and easier for maneuvering.

Since there isn’t much space in my backyard, the RV parking pad also helps me to leave enough space available for the RV to park.

I think if I didn’t have an RV parking pad, I’d be more prone to leaving furniture and other items where the RV is supposed to park.

Like fencing for your RV, you should strongly consider having a contractor go to your property to add the parking pad for you.

They have the expertise and tools to install the parking pad properly and ensure it stays solid for a long time.

Clear Space For Smoother RV Movement

Driving my RV within tight spaces can be quite challenging, so I made sure to clear as much space along our driveway before parking my RV in my backyard.

The driving space that existed on my property before I began parking my RV there was relatively limited.

Not only was it difficult to move large vehicles like vans and SUVs around, it was sometimes tough to move smaller vehicles like motorcycles and golf carts.

To make sure we have plenty of space to maneuver our RV in and out of our property, I decided to break down some areas of our house and add asphalt flooring to expand our driveway.

Our larger driveway has immensely reduced my stress when moving my RV, so I’d highly recommend adding more drive space to your property, if possible.

Add Fencing Around Your RV Parking Spot

To discourage intruders and wild animals from messing around with your RV, it might be a good idea to build fencing around your parked RV.

Compared to a house, RVs tend to have weaker walls and less secure entryways that might entice potential thieves to check out.

Neighborhood animals like dogs, cats, and squirrels might find spaces in and around your RV as suitable areas to take a nap.

Adding a fence around your RV can be a relatively simple and inexpensive way to protect your RV.

Many of the hardware stores in my area offer pre-fabricated fencing materials that help me put up fencing in a short amount of time.

I’d recommend stopping by a home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot to see if they have fencing products you are comfortable using.

Add Roofing Over Your RV Parking Spot

Though my RVs have generally been very durable, some have taken a beating when exposed to long periods of heat or rain.

After realizing how bad it can get for my RVs out in the open, I decided to have a roof built over my RV parking spot to protect it from direct sunlight and rain.

There are many types and sizes of roofs you can put over an RV, so the cost and complexity of building an RV roof will greatly vary.

If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on roofing for your RV, you can keep it simple and put a tent-like structure over your RV for basic protection.