King County, WA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- RVs/trailers
- excluded from vehicle cap
- Cap on other vehicles
- 6 (≤12,500 sq ft lot)
- Larger-lot cap
- 8 vehicles
- Zones covered
- R-1 through R-8
- Accessory use status
- permitted by K.C.C. 21A.06.020.H
Summary
Unincorporated King County caps outdoor-stored vehicles at six or eight per lot in R-1 through R-8 zones, but RVs, boats and trailers are explicitly excluded from that cap.
The total number of vehicles parked or stored outside of a building on a single detached lot in the R-1 through R-8 zones, excluding recreational vehicles and trailers, shall not exceed six vehicles on lots that are twelve thousand five hundred square feet or less and eight vehicles on lots that are greater than twelve thousand five hundred square feet.
M. Vanpool and carpool parking areas shall meet the following minimum design standards:
1. A minimum vertical clearance of seven feet three inches shall be provided to accommodate van vehicles if designated vanpool and carpool parking spaces are located in a parking structure; and
2. A minimum turning radius of twenty-six feet four inches with a minimum turning diameter, curb to curb, of fifty-two feet five inches shall be provided from parking aisles to adjacent vanpool and carpool parking spaces.
N. Any parking stalls located in enclosed buildings shall be totally within the enclosed building. (Ord. 19881 § 265, 2024: Ord. 17539 § 41, 2013: Ord. 17191 § 39, 2011: Ord. 14309 § 10, 2002: Ord. 14045 § 47, 2001: Ord. 13022 § 25, 1998: Ord. 11978 § 16, 1995: Ord. 11621 § 65, 1994: Ord. 10870 § 415, 1993).
21A.18.120 Off-street parking and internal access roads and driveways - standards. A. Off-street parking areas shall have dust-free, all-weather surfacing. Typical approved sections are illustrated below.
Full Breakdown
K.C.C. 21A.18.110.L limits vehicles parked or stored outside a building on a single detached lot in R-1 through R-8 zones to six on lots of 12,500 square feet or less, and eight on larger lots, but recreational vehicles and trailers are excluded from that count entirely. Separately, 21A.06.020.H recognizes storage of boats, trailers and motor vehicles as a permitted accessory use to a residential use, so parking an RV, boat or trailer in a residential yard or driveway is allowed by right; it just doesn't count toward the household's regular-vehicle limit.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the six/eight regular-vehicle outdoor-storage cap is a zoning code violation enforceable by the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, typically starting with a correction notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV or boat trailer in my driveway in unincorporated King County?
Does my RV count toward the outdoor vehicle limit?
Does this apply inside Seattle or other cities?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
How King County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare King County to another location·View the Washington parking rules overview
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