Humboldt County, CA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Tall-vehicle (6 ft+) no-park zones
- HCC §§431-5, 431-96.5.5, 431-106
- RV occupancy framework
- HCC §314-61.05 (Safe Parking/Safe Shelter Pilot)
- Pilot program duration
- 42 months from effective date (extended by Ord. 2729)
- Site cap
- Up to 20 vehicles/tents (15 under Village Model)
- RV waste dumping
- Prohibited at Safe Parking sites unless NCRWQCB-approved
Summary
Humboldt County has no general countywide ban on parking an RV or boat on your own private property, but several code sections specifically prohibit parking vehicles six feet or taller near key intersections, and recreational vehicles used as living quarters are only authorized in permitted Safe Parking/Safe Shelter sites under HCC §314-61.05.
61.05.4 Vehicle and Shelter Types
(a) Safe Parking Sites
i. The type of vehicle and number of each vehicle type, if applicable, must be specified in the Management Plan and may include cars, vans, recreational vehicles ("RVs") or a combination of these.
ii. All vehicles parked overnight must be operable so they can be moved off the site under their own power.
iii. A minimum of six feet clearance must be maintained between vehicles.
61.05.5 Operating Standards
(4) If the site allows recreational vehicles, no disposal of sewage from recreational vehicles is permitted at the site, unless the Provider documents the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has approved the sewage disposal system for that use and details of the sewage disposal system are included in its Management Plan.
(5) If the site allows recreational vehicles, no disposal of graywater or blackwater from recreational vehicles is permitted at the site, unless the Provider shows documentation for legal disposal in its Management Plan.
Full Breakdown
5 bans vehicles six feet or greater on Santa Clara Street for 100 feet north and south of Tremont Street; and §431-106 mirrors that on Tremont Street for 100 feet east and west of Santa Clara Street. 05: living in a vehicle is only authorized at a permitted Safe Parking site operated by a government agency, religious institution, or non-profit, sited in C-1, C-2, C-3, ML, R-3, MU1, MU2 zoning (and AG within one mile of services), with each vehicle operable, six feet of clearance, and no RV blackwater/graywater dumping unless approved by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Boat trailers and RVs parked on private property as personal accessory storage are governed by the underlying zone's accessory-use rules and the no-RV-occupancy rule.
Violations & Fines
Parking a tall vehicle in a posted 6-ft-and-greater zone is an infraction under HCC §431-1(d): up to $100 first offense, $200 second within a year, $250 third within a year. Operating an unpermitted Safe Parking/Safe Shelter facility, or letting people live in RVs on commercial or residential land outside a permitted site, can trigger zoning enforcement under HCC §351 (nuisance) and revocation proceedings under §314-61.05.7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV in my own driveway?
Why can't I park my RV at certain intersections?
Can a church host RVs for unhoused people?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Humboldt County
How Humboldt County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Humboldt County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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