Somerville, MA Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

Sec. 9-57(d) permits exactly one recreational vehicle, boat, or utility trailer stored outdoors on any lot with a dwelling unit. The vehicle or trailer cannot sit closer to the street than the existing front facade of the front-most dwelling unit on the property, so it cannot be parked forward of the house in front-yard visibility. It must be sight-screened from both the street and abutting properties by solid fencing at least six feet high. It cannot be occupied for living, housekeeping, or business purposes, and it must be kept in good repair, complying with the city's separate nuisance and abandoned-vehicle ordinances (Secs.

9-56, 9-91, 9-92). The rule exempts lawfully erected construction trailers and limited-duration emergency housing authorized by the superintendent of inspectional services. This storage rule sits within Sec. 9-57, which also caps unregistered vehicle storage at one vehicle for no more than 90 days (subsection (b)) and bans inoperable vehicles left outdoors for seven days or more (subsection (c)), all adopted together by Ord. No. 1990-19 and last amended by Ord. No. 2010-10, effective November 9, 2010. The screening and setback requirements apply regardless of the vehicle's registration status, so a properly registered, currently used boat trailer still needs the six-foot fence if it is stored outside.