Huntington Beach RV & Boat Parking Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Huntington Beach regulates the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and campers through its Municipal Code zoning provisions and parking regulations. On public streets, RVs and boats are subject to the same 72-hour parking limit as all other vehicles. However, many residential streets in Huntington Beach have additional posted restrictions that prohibit overnight parking of oversized vehicles, which are generally defined as vehicles exceeding 20 feet in length, 7 feet in width, or 7 feet in height.

On private residential property, recreational vehicles and boats must be stored behind the front building setback line, meaning they may not be parked in the front yard area between the house and the street. They must be screened from public view by a solid fence, wall, or the residence itself. Most residential zones limit the number of stored recreational vehicles to one per lot. The vehicle must be currently registered with the DMV, in operable condition, and stored on an improved surface rather than on grass or bare dirt.

Huntington Beach has an active anti-camping ordinance that prohibits living, sleeping, or conducting housekeeping activities in any vehicle — including RVs, campers, and vans — when parked on public streets, in city parking lots, or on residential property. This prohibition is enforced by the Huntington Beach Police Department and has been a point of enforcement emphasis given the city's coastal location and high visitor volume.

Temporary exceptions allow residents to park an RV or boat in their driveway or on the street for up to 48 hours before and after a trip for the purpose of loading and unloading. During this temporary period, the vehicle may be in the front driveway area. Beyond this window, the vehicle must be returned to a compliant storage location. Contact HB Code Enforcement at (714) 375-5155 for questions about oversized vehicle storage.