Law & Regulations — 🇺🇸 United States
United States
The Venice Neighborhood Council has scheduled a town hall on illegally parked RVs, campers, and vans for Wednesday, October 28, at the First Lutheran Church of Venice, 815 Venice Blvd. Doors open at 6:00 PM. The event will feature a moderated panel discussion, a legislative update by LA City Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11), and 90 minutes of public Q&A. Panelists include representatives from the Mayor's office, LADOT Parking Enforcement, LASAN, and LAHSA. The town hall follows months of deliberation; a moderator has not yet been selected.
Hamilton County, Florida, is considering a draft ordinance that would prohibit using RVs and campers as permanent homes outside licensed RV parks. Those already living in RVs would have six months to stop, with a possible one-time three-month hardship extension. The county cites fire safety and emergency access concerns. Residents Dan and Rhonda Parks, who have lived in their RV for nine years, say they cannot afford alternative housing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
United States
Starting October 2026, the Wyoming Department of Transportation will implement the WY22 SAFE PASS program, requiring a mountain safety self-certification for certain large vehicles on Teton Pass. Drivers of RVs, vehicles towing trailers, and vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds must complete the certification. The program includes an online review covering steep grades, brake fade, and load limits; the certificate is valid for one year. Once launched, operating these vehicles on the pass without a valid certificate will not be allowed. All existing regulations, including seasonal closures and the 60,000-pound weight limit, remain in effect.
Elon’s town council is considering amendments to its land management ordinance that would replace current restrictions on RVs, campers, and trailers. Under existing rules, RVs in residential areas must be garaged unless the owner obtains special permission. The new draft would allow parking in a residential driveway at least 20 feet from the road, but prohibits hookups to water or sewer services. Unlicensed or inoperable RVs would require a special use permit. The planning board unanimously recommended against the changes in August, preferring to regulate RVs under the town’s code of ordinances, but Mayor Emily Sharpe said that option had already been rejected. The council directed staff to make minor revisions before a final decision later this month.
City of Centre officials issued a public-awareness notice clarifying the local camper zoning ordinance after residents raised questions about camper storage and temporary construction offices. Under Article IV, Section 9, one unoccupied camper trailer may be stored inside an accessory private garage or in a rear yard in any zoning district, but it cannot exceed 10 feet in width or 25 feet in length. The ordinance prohibits using the stored camper as living quarters or for business activities. Residents can contact Centre City Hall at 256-927-5222.
By 2024, over 7,000 Oklahomans lived in RVs, boats, or vans, nearly double the 2020 figure. Local zoning and ordinances restrict long-term parking and occupancy.
Committee approved a ban on overnight RV parking without a permit. A $5 million program offers housing alternatives, but refusal could lead to vehicle confiscation.
In West Richland, Washington, living in an RV on private property, even your own, is prohibited without a specific, time-limited temporary permit. Homeowners may park a single RV or trailer in an accessory garage or yard, but cannot hook up utilities such as water, electricity, or sewer. On public streets, RVs are restricted to parking for a maximum of 36 hours within 7 days, typically for active loading and unloading. For permit details, contact the Code Compliance Officer at (509)-967-3431.
RV dwellers in Oakland say the city is breaking its promises to them with a new policy that allows the city to clear out RVs and other vehicles more quickly.
Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would increase RV registration fees for the first time since 2003 and introduce a $25 annual abandoned RV disposal fee. The proposal, backed by Rep. David Gomberg, aims to create a fund for removing abandoned RVs. The fee hikes are projected to generate an additional $5.9 million for counties and $7.2 million for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department every two years, while the new disposal fee would raise about $9 million biennially to remove an estimated 900 RVs per year.
Law & Regulations
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Glades County commissioners voted Tuesday (Sept. 8) to change the future land use of 72 acres from residential to commercial, a step toward developing an RV resort with up to 700 sites. The property, located on Williams and Ortona Locks roads, would allow stays of no more than six months. The decision is not final.
Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, is considering an ordinance requiring RV parks near residential areas to install privacy fences at their own cost and capping sites at 50, ahead of SpaceX's $100 billion spaceport plans.
The Olympia City Council expressed support for a pilot program that allows people experiencing homelessness to use recreational vehicles and other vehicles as temporary housing on private property. The program, presented by Community Development Director Tim Smith on Aug. 25, would issue free permits valid for six months. Vehicles must be placed on private property with the owner's permission, and charging rent for the space is prohibited. Occupants must have access to a restroom outside the vehicle, and the city will evaluate the program after six months to a year.
Law & Regulations
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The RV Industry Association's Government Affairs team held an RV Caucus event on Capitol Hill on Aug. 19, attended by over 100 Hill staff. The event focused on legislative priorities including reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund for campground modernization and the No Tax on RV Loans Act, which would allow a $10,000 interest deduction. Vice President of Government Affairs Jason Rano spoke on the industry's economic impact. A second event is scheduled for December.