RV and Trailer Parking in Residential Districts Update

Who is affected?

Anyone who stores or parks their RV, boat trailer, stock trailer or other non-motorized vehicle on a residential or agricultural property or city street must comply with the City’s RV parking regulations.

Where can RV’s be parked or stored on private residential and agricultural property?

RVs, boat trailers, stock trailers, and other non-motorized vehicles shall be parked or stored on an improved surface in a side yard, not abutting a street, behind the front building line, and in the rear yard of residential and agricultural properties.

What is an “Improved Surface”?

An improved surface is a concrete and asphalt surface designed with a paved thickness and sub-surface preparation that is adequate to hold the weight of the vehicle being stored as approved by the City Engineer or designee.

Where can RVs be parked for loading, unloading, cleaning, preparing for a trip, winterizing, or preparing the vehicle for off-premise storage?

An RV, boat trailer, stock trailer, or other non-motorized vehicle can be parked on an improved surface between a dwelling and a public street if the property is larger than one acre and the vehicle is parked for no more than 72 hours at any one time.

Does my RV have to be screened from public view?

If the vehicle is parked more than 8 feet from the property line, no screening is required. However, if the vehicle is parked closer than 8 feet from any adjacent residential property line, the vehicle must be screened with a complaint fence or evergreen landscaping where the height of the fence or the mature height of the landscaping is equal or greater than the item being screened.

What size RV can be parked on private property?

No vehicle, including recreational vehicles, travel trailers, boat trailers, or other non-motorized vehicles in excess of thirty-six (36) feet in length shall be stored or parked in any district zoned for residential uses.

Can an RV be parked on the street?

No.

What can a property owner do when they cannot meet the requirements of the RV parking regulations?

Property owners can apply for a Parking Variance. The City Council may consider a variance, after a public hearing, if it determines that the enforcement of a provision of the parking regulations:

1. Is not in the best interests of the public;
2. Constitutes waste or inefficient use of land or other resources;
3. Creates an undue hardship on the applicant for a permit; or
4. Does not serve its intended purpose, is not effective or necessary.

Download a Parking Variance Application.

Where can I get more information or ask additional questions?

City staff is available Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 972-961-4893 or email questions to: codeenforcement@heathtx.com.