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Waco, TX Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 25-201
Banned locations: Public streets, alleys, highways, rights-of-way citywide
Covered vehicles: Commercial, oversize (>20 ft or >1.5 tons), trailers, boats
Temporary exception: 24 hours for loading/prep of RVs, boats, trailers
Contractor exception: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. while work is performed
Adopted: Ord. No. 2014-296 (2014), amended 2016-387 (2016)

Summary

Waco prohibits parking or standing any commercial vehicle, oversize vehicle, trailer, boat, or boat trailer on a public street, highway, alley, or right-of-way anywhere in the city. Motor homes, boats and trailers being loaded or prepared for use may sit for up to 24 hours, and contractors' vehicles get a limited daytime exception.

Commercial vehicle shall mean bus, semi-trailer, pole trailer, truck tractor, house trailer, special mobile equipment, farm tractor or implement of husbandry. Oversize vehicle shall mean motor home, any motor vehicle that exceeds 20 linear feet, or any commercial motor vehicle with a rated capacity in excess of one and one-half tons according to the manufacturer's classification. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to park or stand a commercial vehicle, oversize vehicle, trailer, boat, or boat trailer or to allow any commercial vehicle, oversize vehicle, trailer, boat, or boat trailer to park or stand upon any public street, highway, alley or public right-of-way between any street and alley, within any part of the city. ... (6) Any motor home, boat, boat trailer, trailer, or house trailer being loaded, unloaded, or otherwise prepared for use or storage during a period of time that does not exceed 24 hours.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).

Full Breakdown

Section 25-201, added by Ordinance No. 2014-296 in June 2014 and amended by Ordinance No. 2016-387 in 2016, targets exactly the vehicles a homeowner might otherwise leave parked at the curb: campers, house trailers, boats, boat trailers, and any "commercial vehicle" (a bus, semi-trailer, pole trailer, truck tractor, house trailer, special mobile equipment, farm tractor or implement of husbandry) or "oversize vehicle" (a motor home, any vehicle over 20 linear feet, or a commercial vehicle rated over one and one-half tons). None of these may park or stand on any public street, highway, alley, or right-of-way anywhere in Waco.

while work is underway. This street-parking ban is separate from Section 25-199's yard-parking rule, which instead requires an all-weather surface for vehicles parked in a residential front or side yard; Section 25-201 governs the street and right-of-way, not private property.

Violations & Fines

Parking a commercial vehicle, oversize vehicle, trailer, boat, or boat trailer on a Waco street or right-of-way without meeting one of the seven affirmative defenses in Section 25-201(c) violates the citywide general penalty, Section 1-14(a): a fine of $1.00 to $500.00. Because the vehicle typically remains parked for more than a day, Section 1-14(c) allows the city to charge each day of continued violation as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park my boat trailer on the street in front of my Waco house?

Only briefly. Section 25-201 bans parking a boat, boat trailer, trailer, or motor home on any public street or right-of-way in Waco, but allows up to 24 hours if the vehicle is actively being loaded, unloaded, or otherwise prepared for use or storage. Beyond that window, it must move onto private property or off the street entirely.

Does Waco's oversize vehicle ban apply to work trucks?

Yes, if the truck exceeds 20 linear feet or is a commercial vehicle rated over one and one-half tons, it counts as an 'oversize vehicle' under Section 25-201 and cannot park on a city street. A limited exception lets a contractor's vehicle sit in front of a residence between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. while work is actually being performed there.

Is there a permit to legally park an RV on a Waco street?

No. Section 25-201 does not offer a permit process; it lists seven specific affirmative defenses, such as active loading, emergency repairs, or location in an M-1, M-2, or M-3 industrial zoning district. If none apply, the RV cannot be parked on the street regardless of duration.

Sources & Official References

[1]Waco, TX Code of Ordinances, Ch. 25, Art. VIII (Stopping, Standing, Parking)

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