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RVs, boats and trailers at home in 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.

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.

The details

  • Front yards are usually public space, so nothing may be stored there.Medium confidence
  • Front-of-house parking needs a BZA special exception.High confidence

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Common questions

Can I park an RV, boat or trailer at my house in Washington?
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.

Sources

  1. DDOT, Fences and Retaining Walls FAQs (public space). Checked 2026-10-20
    [Fences in public space] Must be at least 50% open and no more than 42 inches tall... any use of the public right-of-way [the space outside the private property line] requires permission from the District Department of Transportation.
  2. DC Zoning Regulations, 11-C DCMR § 710, vehicle parking location restrictions (effective July 17, 2026). Checked 2026-10-21
    Vehicle parking spaces shall be located:... (c) On an open area of the lot, except: (1) Between a building restriction line and a front lot line; (2) In any zone other than a PDR zone, surface parking spaces shall not be located between the front facade of …

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.