Can I Park My RV On The Driveway?

As convenient as RVs are on road trips, they are a pain to park, especially if you don't have an appropriate garage.

Even when you're willing to take the risk to park it in the open on your driveway, whether you can legally and practically do so remains in question.

You can park your RV on the driveway, practically, but whether you can do so legally depends on your city and state. Additionally, your HOA rules might prevent you from parking the RV in the driveway even when the city allows it.

In this article, we cover different states’ rules and regulations around parking an RV on a private driveway. You will also learn what you must do before parking your RV as a few factors (other than state rules) may apply.

So, let's start by looking at the issues with such parking.

‍‍‍The Problems With Parking an RV on the Driveway

In most cases, parking an RV on the driveway is not an issue unless there is a specific problem due to regulations or the size and material of the driveway or the RV. Here is a list of possible issues you might face parking an RV on your driveway. If you can confirm that none of these apply to you, you can park and even permanently store your RV on your driveway.

It Can Sink Into an Asphalt Driveway

The first issue arises because of driveway material. Fortunately, most driveways are well-equipped to hand the average weight of an RV, which is 10,000 lbs. However, asphalt is not a solid enough material to carry this weight, especially on a sunny day. When the temperature is exceptionally hot, asphalt can melt under the weight of the RV. At best, it will have tire marks, and at worst, it will damage or trap your RV.

Not applicable if: This factor doesn't apply to those who don't have an Asphalt driveway.

It Can Incur Roof Damage From Snowfall

Another factor that determines how healthy a choice driveway parking is, is the snowfall your area receives. Heavy snow can cause roof damage even in the sturdiest RVs. It is also harder to remove because of the risk of slipping, and the longer it sits on the RV's roof, the more damage it deals. Parking an RV in a sheltered space, unlike a driveway, is ideal for such situations.

Not applicable if: You don't have to worry about this if it doesn't snow at all (or as heavily) in your state.

It Can Be Longer Than the Driveway

This aspect has less to do with the region and the material of your driveway and more to do with the size of your vehicle. In most cases, your driveway is considered your property. As long as your RV doesn't cross over into the pedestrian walkway or the road, you can park it on your driveway. But if your RV is long enough to block the pedestrians' path even in the slightest, you might get fined.

Not applicable if: This issue is not valid if your RV is smaller than your driveway and the driveway is your personal property.

It Can Violate Zoning Regulations or Hoa Rules

Finally, the most significant obstacle against parking RVs on driveways is the specific regulations that prevent homeowners from doing so. Parking the vehicle on a non-asphalt driveway is practical in most mild-climate states, but there are two sets of regulations to check before you make your parking decision.

• Zoning regulations - In cities with strict zoning regulations, an RV is considered a house, and parking it in a driveway for an extended period is seen as a violation of zoning laws. It is treated as building another home on an unallocated plot.
• HOA rules - In gated communities, the Home Owner's Association has bylaws to maintain a specific appearance and convenience for every home in the area. These can sometimes have a clause against parking RVs on the driveway or even the property.

Not applicable if: To be sure that this issue isn't relevant to your context, you must check what your city's position is about parking an RV in the garage. You should also make sure you have the HOA's approval if it is necessary according to the association's rules.

Can You Legally Park an RV on the Driveway?

As mentioned earlier, the most significant obstacle in driveway parking an RV are the legal ones. This section makes it easier for you to figure out if parking the vehicle is a violation of state rules. Here are the positions of all the states regarding RV parking.

How Long Can Your Park Your RV on a Driveway?

You can park your RV on your driveway as long as you want unless the zoning regulations prohibit the permanent storage of motor homes on the driveway. In that case, the RV can be parked between 48 to 72 hours on the driveway unless that too is prohibited by the state.

Hierarchy of Legality

Understanding the hierarchy of legality of driveway parking is important if you want to keep an RV on your driveway for a long period. The more local a body, the stricter and more relevant its rules are to the parking permission.

• Federal - At the country level, there is no prohibition on parking RVs in a driveway. And even if there were such a law, it would be up to the states to agree with it.
• State-level - At the state level, the zoning regulations can dictate whether an RV can be parked in a driveway in any city inside the state.
• City-level - While city laws cannot go against the state, the city's municipality can choose not to enforce the RV parking (or other) state laws.
• Home Owners Association - This is the lowest tier of legality but has some of the highest enforcement potential because of how close it is to your property. But an HOA’s decision can be disputed in a court.

Parking Your RV on the Driveway: The Exact Steps

Now that you know the drawbacks and potential obstacles of parking your RV on your driveway, here are the steps you need to take before you can park your RV.

Check Practicality

At this stage, you must measure the length of your RV and compare it with the length of your driveway. You should also reflect on the probability of heavy snow in your city and make sure your driveway isn't made of asphalt. If all of these are clear, it is practical to park the RV in your driveway.

Check Legality

The easiest way to check if your RV can be legally parked is to contact your local municipality. You can also check with your HOA if applicable. When these two bodies tell you it is okay to park your RV in the driveway, you know that it is legal to do so.

Obtain a Permit

This step is optional and based on your risk tolerance. To make sure you don't get fined, get the approval in writing. Remember, a mistaken municipal worker's verbal approval won't hold up in court. As far as HOAs are concerned, verbal approval works just fine.

Final Thoughts

Parking an RV on the driveway is practical and doesn't usually harm the driveway or the RV. But it can harm your wallet if you receive a fine for it, so you should check with your HOA or local municipality before parking the vehicle on your driveway.