Rutherford County, TN Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Lots under 1 acre
- 1 RV/boat/trailer item maximum
- Lots 1-5 acres
- Up to 4 items
- Lots over 5 acres
- No numeric cap
- Inoperable/unregistered units
- Banned outright
- Living in a parked RV
- Barred except short permits
- Governing section
- § 1101 O
Summary
In unincorporated Rutherford County, how many recreational vehicles, boats, ATVs, and trailers you can keep outside is capped by lot size under Zoning Ordinance § 1101 O.2: one item on lots under an acre, up to four items on one-to-five-acre lots, and no numeric cap on larger tracts. Inoperable or unregistered units are barred outright.
2. Accessory outdoor parking/storage of Major Recreation Equipment is allowed on all Residentially zoned lots, based on the size of the property as follows:
a. For properties less than an acre in size, no more than one of the following:
i. One watercraft and trailer for such watercraft, or
ii. Two all-terrain vehicles and trailer for such all-terrain vehicles, or
iii. One utility trailer, or ... iv. One camping trailer or recreational vehicle per dwelling unit
b. Properties one acre through five acres may have one each of the items listed in O.2.a., or any combination thereof, not to exceed four items.
c. Properties larger than five acres may have multiple items of those listed in O.2.a.
Full Breakdown
2 then caps how much can sit outside by lot size: under an acre, a household gets only one item, either a watercraft and its trailer, two ATVs and their trailer, one utility trailer, or one camping trailer or RV. Lots from one to five acres can have one of each category, up to four items total, and lots over five acres can hold multiple of every listed item with no set ceiling. g bars using any of this equipment for living, sleeping or housekeeping while it's parked, unless it qualifies for the separate temporary-use permits in § 1101 P, like a 14-day visiting-guest stay or a six-month permit tied to a fire rebuild or home construction issued by the Building Codes Department.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more RVs, boats, ATVs or trailers outside than your lot size allows, storing an inoperable or unregistered unit, or living in a parked RV without a temporary-use permit is a zoning violation. Under § 1410, the Director of Building Codes investigates written complaints, each day the excess or unlawful storage continues is a separate offense, and the county can seek an injunction or ask utility providers to withhold service until the property complies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boats or RVs can I park at my house in unincorporated Rutherford County?
Can I live in my RV parked in the driveway?
Does an old boat that doesn't run count against my limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rutherford County
How Rutherford County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Rutherford County to another location·View the Tennessee parking rules overview
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