RVs, boats and trailers at home across the DC area
Can I park an RV, boat or trailer at my house? The rules differ at every jurisdiction line. Here is the short answer for each.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.
| Where | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | On your lot, any parked vehicle, RV or boat trailer included, has to sit in a spot zoning allows: not in front of the house or between a building restriction line and the front lot line (11-C DCMR § 710), so in practice behind or beside the house, off an alley. Street parking for trailers, boats and RVs is a DPW and MPD matter. |
| Montgomery County, MD | On a lot up to half an acre, you may park one light commercial vehicle and one unoccupied recreational vehicle. Larger lots allow more. Lots over 2 acres have no limit. |
| Prince George's County, MD | In single-family zones (ROS, AG, AR, RE, RR, RSF-65, RSF-95, RMH) you may park boats, boat trailers and one unoccupied camping trailer per lot. One commercial vehicle is allowed: up to 8,500 lb with only a small firm name, or up to 17,000 lb inside a garage. |
| Alexandria, VA | Trailers are banned except one inside an enclosed garage. One unoccupied RV up to 25 ft (R-8, R-12, R-20) or 20 ft (other residential zones) may park behind the front building line. |
| Arlington County, VA | Trailers may be kept only inside a garage. One unoccupied RV under 30 ft long and 8 ft wide may be parked behind the front line of the house. |
| Fairfax County, VA | You may park your own RV or travel trailer on the lot where you live. It isn't a commercial vehicle. In the front yard it must sit on the surfaced area, which is capped at 25% of the front yard in R-1 and R-2 and 30% in R-3 and R-4. One commercial vehicle is allowed, up to 21 ft long, 8 ft tall and 8.5 ft wide. Equipment trailers aren't allowed. |
Towns and cities inside these counties (for example, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Bowie, Laurel, Herndon, Vienna, and Falls Church) have their own rules.