San Jose, CA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Front/corner yard surface
- Must be paved
- RV front-yard orientation
- Perpendicular to street
- RV owner requirement
- Must be a property occupant
- Governing chapter
- 17.72, Community Preservation
Summary
San Jose requires RVs, trailers, and boats parked in a front or corner-side yard to sit on paved surface and RVs in the front yard to be parked perpendicular to the street.
No person shall park or store any recreational vehicle in the front yard of property designed or used as a residence unless the recreational vehicle is parked or stored perpendicular to the street. ... No person shall keep, store or park any trailer, boat or motor vehicle on any portion of a front yard or corner lot side yard facing a street of a property designed or used as a residence, except on an area that is paved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Under San Jose Municipal Code § 17.72.600, no trailer, boat, or motor vehicle may be kept, stored, or parked on any unpaved portion of a front yard or corner-lot side yard facing a street at a residence. Section 17.72.610 adds that a recreational vehicle stored in the front yard must be parked perpendicular to the street, and its owner or operator must be an occupant of the property. Violations count as property blight under the city's Community Preservation chapter and can trigger code enforcement action.
Violations & Fines
Property blight citation from the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement; the city can order abatement of the violation under the Community Preservation chapter (Ch. 17.72).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV facing the street in my San Jose front yard?
Can I park my boat on the dirt or gravel side yard in San Jose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
How San Jose compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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RV & Boat Parking in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle rv & boat parking.