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

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Zoning Ordinance § 6799
Commercial vehicle weight cap
Over 1 ton restricted
Commercial vehicle time limit
5 consecutive hours max
RVs & farm vehicles
Expressly exempt from cap
Violation penalty
Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail

Summary

Unincorporated San Diego County exempts recreational vehicles and farm vehicles from its residential-zone commercial vehicle parking limits, so RVs can be parked on private property without the one-ton weight cap or five-hour time limit that governs commercial trucks.

City-specific rules exist: San Diego, Vista, Bostonia, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, San Marcos, Chula Vista, and El Cajon have their own rv & boat parking rules that differ from San Diego County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall park any commercial vehicle in excess of one ton capacity on private property in Residential, Agricultural and the S90 and S92 Special Purpose Zones except as follows:

a.   When loading or unloading property, or

b.   When such vehicle is parked in connection with, and in aid of, the performance of a service to or on property in the block in which such vehicle is parked. These exceptions do not authorize parking in violation of Fire Lane parking restrictions as detailed in the California Vehicle Code Section 22500.1. Notwithstanding the above provisions, no commercial vehicle shall remain parked in excess of five consecutive hours. Section 6799 does not apply to recreational vehicles or farm vehicles or equipment, including maintenance equipment, necessary for agricultural production on the property where the vehicles and equipment are parked. In Agricultural Zones and the S90 and S92 Special Purpose Zones, a maximum of two vehicles of up to two tons capacity may be parked by a person owning said vehicles and owning the property where they are parked and who is conducting a commercial agricultural operation located on site or elsewhere. (Renumbered without substantive amendment by Ord. No. 6940 adopted 4-10-85. Formerly Sec. 3295.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 7935 (N.S.) adopted 6-19-91) (Amended by Ord. No. 8166 (N.S.) adopted 10-21-92) (Amended by Ord. No. 10162 (N.S.) adopted 8-3-11) (Amended by Ord. No. 10204 (N.S.) adopted 3-28-12)

Source: San Diego County Code of Regulatory OrdinancesView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).

Full Breakdown

Zoning Ordinance Section 6799 bars parking any commercial vehicle over one ton on private property in Residential, Agricultural, and S90/S92 Special Purpose zones for more than five consecutive hours, except while loading, unloading, or servicing property on the same block. The section explicitly states it does not apply to recreational vehicles or farm vehicles or equipment, so motorhomes, travel trailers, and camper trucks kept in a driveway or yard in unincorporated San Diego County escape the weight and time cap that governs commercial trucks.

Violations & Fines

Violating § 6799's commercial-vehicle cap is a zoning infraction or misdemeanor under § 7703, up to $1,000 and six months in jail, but that penalty doesn't reach RVs, trailers, or boats since the section exempts them outright.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park my RV in my driveway in unincorporated San Diego County?
Yes. County Code Section 6799 restricts commercial vehicles over one ton on residential or agricultural property, but the section expressly excludes recreational vehicles and farm vehicles from that restriction.
How long can a commercial vehicle sit on residential property?
No more than five consecutive hours, unless it's loading, unloading, or actively servicing property on the same block: otherwise it violates Section 6799.
Does the county limit parking a boat trailer at my home?
Section 6799 only regulates commercial vehicles over one ton; personal boats and boat trailers aren't commercial vehicles, so no weight or time limit under this section applies to them.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Diego County

All San Diego County rules

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

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