Memphis, TN Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Boats/campers/trailers
- Banned from residential public streets
- Recreation vehicles
- No unattended parking on residential streets
- Exception
- Active loading or unloading only
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under Memphis Code § 1-24-1
- Towing fee
- $30.00 pull-in plus $5.00/day storage
- Enforcing agency
- Memphis Division of Police Services
Summary
Memphis code bars parking or storing boats, campers, trailers and other recreational equipment on any public street in a residential district, and separately bars leaving a recreation vehicle unattended on a residential street or in a residential district except while it is actively being loaded or unloaded. Violators face towing and a misdemeanor charge.
No recreation vehicle shall be parked or left unattended on any residential street or in any residential district, except while actively being loaded or unloaded. ... It is unlawful for any person to park or store any nonmotorized vehicle or equipment, such as, but not limited to, campers, trailers, boats, or other recreational type equipment, on any public street located within a residential district and/or zone, as defined in the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code, in the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Two distinct provisions in Chapter 11-40 of the Memphis Code of Ordinances cover this. " Both sections tie the term "residential district and/or zone" to the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code (published separately from this code). 00 per day of storage. As written, both bans reach public streets within residential districts; they do not address vehicles parked wholly within a private driveway, which falls instead under the separate, unavailable Unified Development Code.
Violations & Fines
Violating section 11-40-12 (nonmotorized recreational equipment) is a misdemeanor punishable under the general penalty section 1-24-1. Section 11-40-11(C) is enforced the same way for recreation vehicles. Either way, the division of police services may have the vehicle or equipment towed under the impound authority of section 11-40-26, with the owner owing a $30.00 pull-in fee plus $5.00 per day of storage before the item is released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my boat trailer on the street in front of my Memphis house?
Can I leave my RV parked on my residential street overnight?
What does it cost to get a towed RV or boat trailer back?
Does this rule reach vehicles parked in my driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
How Memphis compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Memphis to another location·View the Tennessee parking rules overview
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