Madera, CA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

1603(B)(12) declares it a public nuisance to use any trailer, camper, recreational vehicle or motor vehicle as living or sleeping quarters anywhere in the city outside a lawfully operated mobile home park or travel trailer park. The city carves out a narrow guest exception: a bona fide guest of a city resident may occupy a trailer, camper or RV on residential premises with the owner's consent for up to 72 hours, and any waste from that unit must discharge only through the residential premises' own sewer connection, never directly into the street or storm system.

Separately, the same subsection bars parking or leaving standing any recreational vehicle trailer, including a camp trailer, vehicle transportation trailer, trailer coach or boat trailer, on any street, alley or public right-of-way in the city for more than 72 consecutive hours, regardless of the unit's width. The code also prohibits storing such a unit so it encroaches on or extends over a right-of-way, impedes traffic, or creates a hazard to public health or safety. 1603(B)(8)(c) separately limits special mobile equipment left in a front or side yard to 72 hours unless it sits in a conforming accessory building or an area with a five-foot property-line setback.

1603(A), most violations of this chapter are misdemeanors, but the ordinance specifically carves out subsections (12), (13) and (17) as infractions only, so an RV-parking or living-quarters violation is charged as an infraction rather than a misdemeanor.