10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Polk County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Polk County, boats, RVs, sport vehicles and utility trailers may be parked on a residential lot, but only ONE may sit in the front yard. Others go in the side or rear yard, at least 5 feet from any side or rear line.
Polk County LDC Sec. 218.A
Only one such vehicle may be parked or stored in the front yard. More than one vehicle may be parked or stored in the side and rear yard of a dwelling unit provided that they are no closer than five feet from any side or rear property line.
When you park a boat, RV or trailer on a residential lot, LDC Sec. 218 requires the driveway to stay functional and the parking must be in addition to the two required off-street parking spaces. Vehicles may not encroach onto the public right-of-way.
Polk County LDC Sec. 218.C
The driveway to the residence remains functional, and the parking of such vehicle is exclusive of the required two parking spaces on the lot.
Parking or storing a commercial vehicle on a residential lot in unincorporated Polk County is prohibited unless it qualifies for an exemption or a special exception. Small trucks under 2 tons, under 9 feet tall, and under 26 feet long are exempt.
Polk County LDC Sec. 216.A
Parking, storing, or keeping a commercial vehicle regulated by this Section on any lot or parcel within a residential district is prohibited, except in accordance with the requirements of this Section.
On unincorporated county roads, you must park within 12 inches of the right curb (parallel), and cannot stop in intersections, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, or within 50 feet of an intersection on a county road.
Polk County Code Sec. 10.3-17(1)(b)9
No person shall park any vehicle on the roadway within fifty (50) feet of any intersection on a county road. As used in herein the term "county road" has the same meaning as provided in the Polk County Land Development Code.
Polk County sets no blanket ban on overnight on-street parking in unincorporated areas. Instead, the same day-and-night restrictions on where you may stop or park (intersections, hydrants, rights-of-way) apply around the clock. Your city may impose overnight limits.
Polk County sets no local EV-charging parking rule. Under 2024 Florida law, only the state may regulate electric-vehicle chargers, so counties and cities cannot enact or enforce their own EV-charging ordinances. Charger requirements come from the Florida Building Code and state rules.
In unincorporated Polk County, no distressed or abandoned vehicle (or vehicle body/frame/part) may be kept on residential property unless it is inside a fully enclosed garage or building. One may sit in the rear yard only if fully screened and 5+ feet from property lines.
Polk County LDC Sec. 217.A
Except as provided in Section 217 B., no distressed or abandoned vehicle shall be parked, and no motor vehicle frame, vehicle body, or vehicle body part shall be stored, on residentially designated or used property except when in a completely enclosed garage or building.
Polk County has no ordinance letting residents paint or mark curbs, and doing so on a public road is not authorized. Where official traffic-control markings or signs prohibit parking, you must obey them; otherwise, park parallel within 12 inches of the curb.
Polk County allows stopping to load or unload passengers or merchandise, but even for loading you cannot park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing or where signs prohibit parking. On residential lots, right-of-way loading of boats/RVs is capped at one hour per 24 hours.
Polk County LDC Sec. 218.D
No such vehicle shall be parked or stored in such a manner as to encroach into a public right-of-way. All such vehicles shall be completely parked or stored on the residential lot except for the purpose of loading or unloading, not to exceed one hour in any 24 hour period.
In unincorporated Polk County, you may not park or store a vehicle with a payload capacity over 2 tons on any public right-of-way, except while loading, unloading, or harvesting agricultural products. Large commercial vehicles are also barred from residential lots.
Polk County Code Sec. 10.3-18(3)
Except when loading or unloading passenger(s), property, livestock, or actively engaged in the harvest of agricultural products, no person shall park or store a vehicle that has a payload capacity exceeding two (2) tons on rights-of-way in unincorporated Polk County.
2 cities in Polk County have their own parking rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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