Stockton allows recreational vehicles and boats to be stored on residential property only on an improved (paved) surface, and they may not be stored in the front or street-side setback (Stockton Municipal Code §16.64.090). On the street, any vehicle - including an RV, boat trailer, or utility trailer - may not remain parked for more than 72 consecutive hours (SMC Chapter 10.04), and a violator is subject to tow under California Vehicle Code §22651(k).
Two layers of rules govern RV and boat parking in Stockton. (1) Private property/zoning: SMC §16.64.090 (Parking in Residential Zoning Districts) requires that vehicles parked in the front or street-side setback be on a paved driveway, that paved driveway area not exceed 50 percent of the setback, and that the front/side yard be used only for temporary parking - 'storage of vehicles in this area shall not be allowed.' A specific provision requires recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats to be parked on an improved (paved/concrete/approved) surface. Practically, this means storing an RV, travel trailer, or boat on dirt, gravel, or grass in the front yard is a code violation, and long-term storage belongs on a side yard or rear yard behind the required setback. (2) Public street: SMC Chapter 10.04 (Traffic Regulations) caps street parking at 72 consecutive hours for any vehicle, with no separate exemption for RVs, trailers, or boats. California Vehicle Code §22651(k) gives the city authority to tow once the 72-hour threshold is crossed. RV owners commonly move the vehicle to a different block or off-street every three days to comply, or use one of the many private RV/boat storage yards in the city. The Port of Stockton/Channel Area Overlay District, the Aircraft Operations Overlay District near Stockton Metropolitan Airport, and Magnolia Historic Overlay District may impose additional view, screening, or design requirements - check Title 16 if you live in one of those overlays.
Front-yard RV/boat storage on unpaved surface and storage (vs. temporary parking) in the front or street-side setback are zoning violations enforced by Stockton Code Enforcement (Title 9/Title 16). Code Enforcement typically issues a notice of violation with a 30-day correction period, followed by administrative citations escalating from approximately $100 (first), $200 (second) and $500 (subsequent) per SMC Title 1 administrative citation schedule. On-street violations of the 72-hour rule are enforced by Stockton PD/Parking Enforcement: parking citation plus tow under CVC §22651(k). Storage of inoperable, dismantled or unregistered vehicles is a separate nuisance violation (SMC Chapter 8 nuisance / Title 16).
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