Law & Regulations
Unlike the Netherlands, where municipalities often restrict motorhome and caravan parking to three days, Germany has different rules. Under the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), a legally parked motorhome has no maximum parking duration, but once a caravan is unhitched, it may remain in one spot for no more than two weeks. Violations incur a €20 fine, and vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and trailers over 2 tonnes face restrictions on regular parking in residential areas between 22:00 and 06:00 and on weekends, with a €30 fine. ADAC notes that to check whether a caravan has been moved, inspectors may record the position of tyre valves: if the valve remains in the same position, it indicates the caravan has not been moved.
United States
In May 2026, Michel Letraveler received a letter from Italy demanding payment for a toll he allegedly failed to pay in 2020. The amount requested is €119.36, comprising €91 for the toll plus fees. The letter came from Nivi, a debt collection agency acting on behalf of a motorway operator. Michel claims he already paid €80.50 at the time and provided bank statements as proof. In Italy, toll debts can be subject to a statute of limitations of up to ten years.
The Tres Cantos municipal council approved partial amendments to its Municipal Mobility and Traffic Ordinance on the afternoon of 24 September. The vote was 16 in favour and 8 abstentions. For personal mobility vehicles, including e-scooters, the minimum age is set at 15, helmets become mandatory, and visibility and lighting requirements are tightened. The changes also adjust rules for motorhomes and other vehicles equipped as dwellings, and update exclusion zones for goods vehicles over 12 tonnes, with attention to residential streets and areas with high pedestrian presence. The amendments align local rules with the updated General Traffic Regulations.
A 61-year-old Frenchman, Pascal, installed his converted van on a freshly harvested field after receiving permission from the farmer-owner, but came to the attention of the town hall. Under the French Urban Planning Code, the owner's consent does not override local land-use rules: the field remains agricultural and subject to the local urban plan (PLU). Parking caravans or campers on non-designated land for more than three months per year requires prior declaration. The town hall can request information, order regularization, or require the occupant to leave, even if the owner gave verbal or written permission.
Law & Regulations
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White Township (Pa.) supervisors said Wednesday (Sept. 23) they are developing an RV park ordinance to regulate the influx of RV sites in the area, according to the Indiana Gazette. RV parks have been opening across Indiana County to accommodate temporary housing needs of Homer City Redevelopment workers. Township Manager Chris Anderson said the planning commission has received numerous proposals for incoming RV sites. The draft ordinance, based on models from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, has been made public for feedback, though supervisors have not yet voted to advertise it.
United States
A 61-year-old man, Pascal, parked his old van on a freshly harvested field with the farmer's verbal consent. Three months later, the town hall informed him that the owner's permission does not replace administrative authorisation: the local urban plan (PLU) can restrict land use even if the plot is empty. In France, parking a caravan on private land is allowed with the owner's consent for up to three months per year; beyond that, municipal authorisation is required.
A legal settlement requiring Mountain View to maintain at least 3 miles of streets with two-sided parking for oversized vehicles expires on Feb. 28, 2027. The settlement, fully effective in February 2023, also mandated a city map of parking restrictions. A June city staff report counted 306 inhabited vehicles in August 2025, rising to 438 seven months later, of which 402 were RVs and trailers. The report attributed the increase to the removal of street parking on El Camino Real for bike lanes and more restrictive policies in neighboring cities, including Palo Alto. After expiration, the city council could adopt additional regulations; three new council members will be elected in November.
A Maine resident living off-grid in an RV said a neighbor's complaint led to a visit from local code enforcement. The town, with about 1,000 residents, limits RV living to 120 days. The owner uses a SunMar composting toilet and natural soaps but was unsure of local rules. The code officer asked about solid waste, a gray water plan, and right-of-way issues, and ultimately said the owner was 'all set.' The discussion highlighted that even simple setups may require gray water, septic, access, or permit planning to be compliant.
Since 2023, Germany has applied a zero VAT rate to the purchase of photovoltaic systems and their essential components, including stationary lithium batteries. However, this exemption does not apply to batteries used in motorhomes, even if they are connected to roof-mounted solar panels. When ordering online, buyers often confirm eligibility, which can lead to tax evasion. Tax authorities require proof of stationary use.
United States
On Sept. 22, the RV Industry Association (RVIA), in concert with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service regarding its proposed revisions to the Travel Management Rule, which governs public access to National Forest System lands. The RVIA expressed support for the Forest Service’s proposed policy establishing open access as the default standard on national forest lands. It further urged the agency to adopt a clear and consistent national framework for dispersed camping that would broaden its availability across the National Forest System, and cautioned against the imposition of new fees, permitting requirements, or other administrative burdens that could limit access for RV owners and renters.
China's State Council has sent a document on measures to stimulate RV consumption to ten agencies, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, focusing on campsites and RV parking.
In Germany, motorhomes, caravans and campervans require mandatory third-party liability insurance covering damage to others. Optional partial comprehensive covers theft, fire, marten bites, storm and hail, while full comprehensive also covers at-fault accidents and vandalism. Premiums depend on vehicle age, value, usage and deductible; discounts exist for motorhome club members and vehicles with GRP roofs. Breakdown assistance policies help with towing, hotel costs and replacement vehicles, but some only cover vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Foreign coverage may apply in Turkey, Morocco and the Balkans, but post-Brexit travel to the UK requires separate arrangements. Insurance for electric campervans is often more expensive due to battery damage, charging cable theft and flat battery risks. Contents insurance protects valuables inside the motorhome, but cash and jewellery are typically excluded.
Law & Regulations
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The Duncan (Okla.) City Council has denied a request to allow a permitted use on review for a commercial RV park near the intersection of Osage Road and U.S. 81. The council voted 4-1 Tuesday to reject the request, director of communications LoisDawn Jones said in an email Wednesday. Three people in the audience opposed the proposed RV park, citing concerns about property values, potential traffic problems and the loss of the area’s tranquil setting.
In South Korea, disputes over insurance payouts after converting vehicles into campers are increasing when owners notify only their insurance agent, not the insurance company itself. According to the insurance industry, notifying an agent does not fulfill the policyholder's duty to inform the insurer, as agents are not authorized to receive such notices on behalf of the company. The Supreme Court ruled in June 2006 that even if an agent knew about a significant change in risk, the insurer cannot be considered informed. If a vehicle's structure or purpose is significantly changed, such as converting a minivan into a camper, the insurer may terminate the contract within one month of learning of the change or deny a claim if the accident is related to the change. Owners are advised to confirm that the notification was actually registered with the company and to keep the reference number and processing result.
Running a typical van-based motorhome with 103 kW and 3.5 tonnes in Austria costs around 2,850 euros per year (about 237 euros per month), excluding fuel and campsite fees. This includes tax, insurance, annual vignette, inspection, maintenance and parking. Key rules: N-class motorhomes are taxed only on engine power (capped at 912 euros per year), the 2026 annual vignette costs 106.80 euros, and since 1 December 2023 tolls are based on technically permissible mass rather than registered weight. A digital vignette bought online only becomes valid on the 18th day after purchase.
A retiree from Lamothe-Fénelon in the Lot department is seeking €522,000 in damages from the French state after his motorhome, built in 2010, was found to be too heavy to drive on French roads. He claims the regional directorate for industry, research and environment (Drire) of Basse-Normandie failed to detect the problem during inspections. During the hearing, the public rapporteur noted that it is the manufacturer's or owner's responsibility to declare the vehicle's weight, and no fault by Drire was proven that would engage state liability. A 2018 ruling had already gone against the retiree, who reportedly invested over €700,000 in the motorhome.
Recently issued measures to boost motorhome consumption include provisions to integrate campsite space needs into territorial spatial planning and the unified natural resource management system. The document encourages repurposing idle resources for public motorhome campsites, developing sites in tourist areas and along scenic routes, and improving construction, management, and service standards with rating management. Officials from Yunnan, Jilin, Shandong, Guizhou, and Qingdao outlined plans to use the measures to expand campsite networks, upgrade facilities, and develop supporting services.
Camper homologation in Spain should start before installing components. In August 2026, 356 new motorhomes were registered (+14.1%), and the secondary market grew 16.2%.
Law & Regulations
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The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) is continuing to advance legislative priorities for the state's campground and outdoor hospitality industry, including liability protections and commercial property tax relief. TACO recently met with Angie Flores, chief of staff to State Representative Todd Hunter, to discuss issues affecting campground owners. A key topic was the 2023 passage of House Bill 2636, which established limited liability protections for RV parks and campgrounds for certain injuries arising from campground activities, while maintaining liability for negligence, known dangerous conditions, improper employee training and intentional conduct. In 2025, similar protections were extended to water parks (Senate Bill 1119) and cavern entities (House Bill 1130). TACO and Hunter's office agreed that further discussions on property tax proposals will take place after the upcoming elections and pre-filing of legislation.
Port Erin commissioners say infrastructure issues for campervans must be addressed before the village can fully welcome visitors. Local rules do not cover motorhomes.