Hillsborough County, FL Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Lots under 1 acre
- 1 RV/boat/trailer allowed
- 20+ ft units
- 5 ft side/rear setback
- Utilities
- No hookups or living in vehicle
- Right-of-way
- Never allowed to park there
Summary
Hillsborough County lets homeowners keep one RV, boat or utility trailer in the yard on lots under an acre, but bans hookups, living in them, and street parking, and pushes anything over 20 feet toward the rear or side yard with a 5-foot setback.
On lots of less than one acre, only one utility trailer and one recreational vehicle, hobby vehicle or private pleasure craft which are not in an enclosed structure such as a garage, shall be allowed. Canoes, john boats less than 12 feet in length and similar boats shall be exempt from this restriction.
d. No vehicle or pleasure craft shall be lived in, have housekeeping maintained, or have hook-up to utilities while parked or stored on, or otherwise attached or moored to a residential lot.
e. The vehicle may be parked or stored inside an enclosed structure, such as a garage, which conforms to the zoning requirements of the particular district where located.
f. Vehicles without current vehicle registration plates, excluding hobby vehicles in operating condition, shall not be allowed at any time.
g. A recreational vehicle, utility trailer or private pleasure craft may be parked anywhere on the residential lots for up to 24 hours for the purposes of loading or unloading the vehicle.
h. Recreational vehicles, hobby vehicles, utility trailers and private pleasure crafts 20 feet or less in length and recreational vehicles of any length which are
Full Breakdown
LDC § 6.05.02.Q lets owners park recreational vehicles, hobby vehicles, utility trailers and pleasure craft on residential property if kept clean and usable. Lots under one acre get only one such vehicle unless enclosed in a garage; canoes and boats under 12 feet are exempt. Vehicles can't be lived in or hooked up to utilities. Units 20 feet or longer that can't fit in an enclosed structure must go in the rear or side yard, at least 5 feet from the property line, and can use the front driveway only if there's no room elsewhere. None of these vehicles may be stored in the public right-of-way, and they can't cover more than half the rear yard.
Violations & Fines
Code Enforcement cites noncompliant RV, boat or trailer storage under LDC § 11.06.03: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, 60 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV in the front yard in Hillsborough County?
How many boats or trailers can I keep on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
How Hillsborough County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida parking rules overview
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