Lawrence, KS Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Max RVs/trailers, house or duplex
- 3 total, only 1 'large' unit
- Large RV/trailer threshold
- Over 20 ft long, or 8 ft/6 ft tall
- Rear yard setback
- 5 feet from side and rear lot lines
- Front yard limit
- 1 unit, 30 ft max, 18 ft off curb
- Living use
- Never for sleeping or connected to utilities
- Governing sections
- IPMC §§ 302.9.4-302.9.11 (§ 9-716)
Summary
In the City of Lawrence, a detached-dwelling or duplex lot may keep up to three recreation vehicles or trailers, with no more than one large RV or large trailer, under Section 302.9.4 of the amended property maintenance code, and each yard location carries its own setback and driveway rules under Sections 302.9.5 through 302.9.9.
302.9.4. Recreation vehicles and trailers parked and stored on a residential lot where a detached dwelling or duplex use is established. A maximum of three recreation vehicles and trailers, in any combination thereof, with no more than one large recreation vehicle or large trailer, may be parked or stored on exterior property on a premises, where a detached dwelling or duplex use is established. Unenclosed trailers, ten feet or less in length and six feet or less in height, not to exceed two in number, do not count toward the maximum number of recreation vehicles or trailers, or combination thereof, when stored in a rear yard. ... 302.9.5. ... Parked and stored within a rear yard. Recreation vehicles and trailers may be parked or stored within a rear yard, as shown in diagram 1, without being located on an approved driveway or parking area. A maximum of two recreation vehicles and/or trailers, in any combination thereof may be parked or stored within a rear yard and shall have a minimum setback of five feet from the side and rear lot lines.
Full Breakdown
Section 9-716 devotes eight detailed subsections to where and how many recreation vehicles and trailers a residential property can hold. 4 sets the headline cap: a maximum of three recreation vehicles and trailers, in any combination, with no more than one large recreation vehicle or large trailer, may be parked or stored on exterior property where a detached dwelling or duplex use is established; unenclosed trailers ten feet or less in length and six feet or less in height, up to two of them, do not count toward that cap when kept in a rear yard.
'Large' is a defined term elsewhere in the code: a recreation vehicle over 20 feet long or eight feet tall, a trailer over 20 feet long or six feet tall. 9). 11.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the RV and trailer placement rules are enforced under the property maintenance code's general penalty, Section 106.4: conviction brings a fine of $100.00 to $500.00, a jail term of five days to three months, or both, and each day the violation continues after notice is a separate offense. The code official may instead pursue abatement under Section 106.5 rather than prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many RVs can I keep at my Lawrence house?
Can I park my boat trailer in the front yard?
Do I need a setback if my RV is against the back alley?
Can someone live in an RV parked at their house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
How Lawrence compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Lawrence to another location·View the Kansas parking rules overview
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