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Sacramento County, CA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Must park on
Surfaced area only
Prohibited in
Required landscaped yard area
Surfacing (≤15,000 sf lots)
Impervious surface required
Governs
Autos, boats, campers, trailers, RVs

Summary

Boats, campers, trailers, and other RVs at homes in unincorporated Sacramento County must sit on a surfaced parking area: they can't be parked or stored on the required landscaped portion of the yard.

City-specific rules exist: Sacramento, Galt, Florin, Elk Grove, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova have their own rv & boat parking rules that differ from Sacramento County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Vehicles, including, but not limited to, automobiles, boats, campers, trailers and other recreational vehicles must be parked on a surfaced area in conformance to this Code (See Section 5.9.3.C. for parking standards) and may not be parked within the required landscaped area.

7. Landscape Alternatives.

Section titled “7. Landscape Alternatives.”

In the case of a circular driveway that may exceed the maximum hardscape restriction for the yard area, off-setting landscaping may be provided in the area between the required yard area and the dwelling. Other options for landscaping the required yard areas, including the use of additional hardscape materials, artificial turf, or other landscape elements may be approved through the Design Review process.

8. Section titled “8.”

[DELETED 09-09-2022]

9. Landscaping Adjacent to Soundwalls.

Section titled “9. Landscaping Adjacent to Soundwalls.”

Earthmounds. When the sound and visual attenuation requires a wall exceeding six feet above the grade of the adjacent roadway, earthmounds or terraced landscaping shall be used such that no more than six feet of the wall is visible from the roadway. The mounds shall not exceed a 3:1 slope. The mounds may support the wall or be placed against the wall on the street side. Drainage shall be contained.

Source: Sacramento County Zoning CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Section 5.2.4.C.6, Vehicle Parking Requirements, requires that automobiles, boats, campers, trailers, and other recreational vehicles parked at single-family and duplex/halfplex homes sit on a surfaced area built to the standards of § 5.9.3.C, and bars parking them within the yard's required landscaped area. Under § 5.9.3.F.2.b, lots of 15,000 square feet or less must use impervious surfacing for any vehicle parking area; larger lots may use permeable or cool paving instead.

Violations & Fines

Code Enforcement can cite a homeowner for parking an RV, boat, or trailer on grass, dirt, or other unsurfaced landscaped yard area; the vehicle must move to a conforming surfaced parking area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park my boat or RV on the lawn in unincorporated Sacramento County?
No, § 5.2.4.C.6 requires boats, campers, trailers, and RVs to park on a surfaced area and bars parking them in the required landscaped yard.
What counts as a compliant surface?
On lots of 15,000 square feet or less, § 5.9.3.F.2.b requires impervious surfacing; larger lots may use permeable or cool paving instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sacramento County

All Sacramento County rules

How Sacramento County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California parking rules overview

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