Port Townsend, WA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Height threshold
- over 12 feet
- Required setback
- 5 feet from side/rear line
- Applies to
- single-family residential parcels
- Notice before civil infraction
- 21 days
Summary
Port Townsend bans storing a tall RV or boat within 5 feet of a side or rear lot line on single-family residential parcels.
Storage of the following on a single-family residential parcel: a. A recreational vehicle or boat greater than 12 feet in height stored within five feet of a side or rear property line.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3364, passed May 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City code makes it a public nuisance to store a recreational vehicle or boat taller than 12 feet within five feet of a side or rear property line on a single-family residential parcel. The rule sits inside the broader nuisance chapter's motor-vehicle provisions, which also bar using any residential lot as a wrecking yard or dumping ground for junked trailers, RVs, boats, or vehicle parts. Complaints go to the city's code enforcement officer under Chapter 1.20 PTMC.
Violations & Fines
Enforcement officer issues notice; unabated minor nuisances become a civil infraction under RCW 7.80 after 21 days, on top of Chapter 1.20 PTMC abatement and civil/criminal penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park a tall RV right against my back fence in Port Townsend?
What if my boat is under 12 feet tall?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port Townsend
How Port Townsend compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Port Townsend to another location·View the Washington parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.