Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Wilmington, DE Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 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.

Source: Wilmington City Code Ch. 37 – Motor Vehicles & TrafficView 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 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?
No, not if it's 11,000+ lbs or 20+ feet, or any boat at all, unless you're actively loading/unloading or hold a street storage permit from licenses and inspections.
What happens if I leave my RV parked on a Wilmington street overnight?
A civil penalty starting at Level 18 for a first offense, rising to Level 20 for repeats, plus the vehicle can be immobilized and towed under section 37-125.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Wilmington

All Wilmington rules

How Wilmington compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Wilmington to another location·View the Delaware parking rules overview

Get notified when RV & Boat Parking in Wilmington, DE changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.