Santa Ana RV & Boat Parking Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Santa Ana Municipal Code restricts the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, campers, and other oversized vehicles both on public streets and on private residential property. On public streets, all vehicles — including RVs, boats on trailers, and travel trailers — are subject to the 72-hour parking limit applicable to all vehicles on city streets. Oversized vehicles exceeding 7 feet in height or 22 feet in length face additional restrictions in residential areas and may not park on narrow residential streets where they obstruct traffic flow, sight lines, or emergency vehicle access.

On private residential property, Santa Ana's zoning code (Chapter 41) requires that recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers be stored behind the front building line — meaning they cannot be parked in front yards or in driveways forward of the primary residence where they are visible from the public right-of-way. The vehicle must be parked on a paved or otherwise approved hard surface; storage on dirt, grass, or landscaped areas is prohibited. In Santa Ana's densely built residential neighborhoods, where lot sizes are typically small and homes are closely spaced, storage of large vehicles is inherently challenging and code enforcement actively monitors compliance.

Using an RV, camper, or travel trailer as a dwelling unit while parked on residential property or on a public street is prohibited. Recreational vehicles may not be connected to permanent utility hookups (water, sewer, electricity) on residential property for habitation purposes. This prohibition addresses a significant enforcement issue in Santa Ana, where the city's housing density and affordability pressures have led to increased unpermitted RV habitation on both public streets and private property.

Residents needing to temporarily park an RV or boat on a public street for loading, maintenance, or trip preparation should limit the duration to the 72-hour maximum and ensure the vehicle does not obstruct traffic, sidewalks, or fire hydrants. Contact Santa Ana Code Enforcement at (714) 667-2780 with questions about specific situations.