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

The City of Irvine regulates the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and other oversized vehicles through a combination of municipal code provisions and — more significantly for most residents — HOA-enforced CC&Rs. Irvine's Municipal Code restricts parking of oversized vehicles exceeding 7 feet in height or 22 feet in length on public residential streets, consistent with the California Vehicle Code 72-hour parking limit and additional local restrictions designed to preserve neighborhood aesthetics and street access.

The practical reality for Irvine residents is that HOA rules governing RV and boat storage are typically far stricter than the city's baseline regulations. Irvine was designed as a master-planned community where each neighborhood's streetscape was meticulously planned, and visible storage of RVs, boats, and trailers was not part of the design vision. Most major Irvine HOA communities — including Woodbridge, Northwood, Turtle Rock, University Park, Quail Hill, Portola Springs, Stonegate, and Orchard Hills — have CC&Rs that prohibit parking or storing RVs, boats, trailers, campers, and similar vehicles on driveways, in front yards, in side yards, or anywhere visible from the street. Some communities allow enclosed storage in a side-yard behind a solid fence or wall if the vehicle cannot be seen from any neighboring property or the street, but many do not.

Temporary parking for active loading or unloading — such as preparing for a camping trip or winterizing a boat — is generally permitted for a brief period, typically 24-48 hours, often with advance notification to the HOA management company. Extended temporary stays require HOA approval and are rarely granted for more than a few days. Residents who own RVs, boats, or trailers typically store them at one of the numerous commercial vehicle storage facilities in the Irvine and greater Orange County area.

The Irvine Company, which developed much of the city and retains significant influence over community standards through master CC&Rs, established the expectation that oversized recreational vehicles would be stored off-site. This legacy continues through the HOA governance structure. Enforcement of HOA RV and boat parking rules is handled by HOA management companies and community patrol services, separate from Irvine Police Department enforcement of public street parking rules.