Wilmington, DE Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Size threshold
- 11,000 lbs or 20+ feet
- Boats
- Banned regardless of size or weight
- Exception
- Street storage permit from L&I
- First offense
- Civil penalty at Level 18
- Enforcement
- Police and parking enforcement officers
Summary
Wilmington prohibits parking oversized RVs, trailers, and boats of any size on any city street without a street storage permit or while loading.
No person shall park an oversized commercial or recreational vehicle, classified as an 11,000 pound registered vehicle weight or more or 20 feet in length or more, nor any boat, regardless of its weight or dimensions, at any time, on any day on any street in the city except during the time that such vehicle is actually loading or unloading or unless the driver has a lawful street storage permit issued by the department of licenses and inspections. This provision also pertains to all trailer coaches, semi-trailers, tractor trailers, and tow trucks, regardless of size or purpose. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not less than the amount established at level 18 for the first offense and not less than the amount established at level 20 for the second and each subsequent offense. Violators are subject to the immobilization and towing penalties and procedures as set forth in section 37-125, and the provisions of this section may be enforced by any parking enforcement officer or member of the city police department.(b)For the purposes of this chapter, a tow truck shall mean a motor vehicle primarily used in the business of transporting disabled, illegally parked, or abandoned vehicles by means of a crane, hoist, tow bars, tow line, or dolly.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Wilmington City Code § 37-233 bars parking an oversized commercial or recreational vehicle (11,000+ lbs registered weight or 20+ feet long), any boat regardless of size, or any trailer coach, semi-trailer, or tractor-trailer on any city street at any time, any day: except while actively loading/unloading or under a street storage permit from the department of licenses and inspections. A first offense draws a civil penalty at Level 18; repeat violations jump to Level 20, plus vehicle immobilization and towing under section 37-125. Parking enforcement officers and city police both enforce it.
Violations & Fines
Civil penalty at Level 18 for a first offense, Level 20 for repeat offenses, plus vehicle immobilization and towing under section 37-125.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV or boat trailer on the street in Wilmington?
What happens if I leave my RV parked on a Wilmington street overnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wilmington
How Wilmington compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Wilmington to another location·View the Delaware parking rules overview
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