---
title: Abbotsford RV, boat and trailer parking rules
question: "Can I park an RV, boat, or trailer on the street or in my yard?"
place: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/abbotsford
category: Parking, tickets and driving
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Abbotsford
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/rv-boat-trailer-parking/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/rv-boat-trailer-parking.json"
---

# Abbotsford RV, boat and trailer parking rules

**Question:** Can I park an RV, boat, or trailer on the street or in my yard?

**Short answer:** In Abbotsford, an RV 6.7 metres or longer registered to an Abbotsford address can park on the street next to your home for up to 36 consecutive hours, then must move off that block for at least 48 hours. No one may live in it on the street, and a trailer must stay attached to a vehicle. Yard rules are in zoning.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Abbotsford, https://www.abbotsford.ca)  
**Cost:** Bylaw notice: parking over 72 hours on a street $75; within 5 m of a hydrant $250. Other breaches (RV length and time rules, living in an RV, zoning or storage rules): $500 bylaw notice or $1,000 municipal ticket. $50 off a bylaw notice paid within 14 days.  
**Where:**
- Online: Bylaw Service Request form, https://www.abbotsford.ca/bylaw-service-request
- Phone: Bylaw Services, 604-864-5512

## Key facts

- **On the street:** No parking on a highway for more than 72 continuous hours. Trailers may not be parked on a street unless attached to a motor vehicle and able to be driven away. The RV time limit in s. 51 does not apply to RVs under 6.7 m. An RV 6.7 m or longer registered to an Abbotsford address may park next to its owner's home (or another owner's, with consent) for up to 36 consecutive hours, then must move off that block for at least 48 hours. A detached camper may not be left on a street.
  - Source: [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066), s. 42(1)(u)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
  - Official wording: "on a highway for a continuous period of more than 72 hours."
  - Source: [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066), s. 50](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
  - Official wording: "park a trailer on a highway, unless the trailer is attached to a motor vehicle and is" … "capable of being drawn at all times;" … "that was removed or detached from a recreational vehicle, or other vehicle, on a"
  - Source: [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066), s. 51](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
  - Official wording: "This section does not apply to a recreational vehicle less than 6.7 metres in length." … "immediately adjoining the place of residence of the owner or driver for a period of not more than 36" … "for a period of at least 48 hours before parking the recreational vehicle on"
  - Source: [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066), s. 1 "recreational vehicle"](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
  - Official wording: "a motorized or non-motorized recreational watercraft, including a trailer designed"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **On your property:** No count limit found. In most residential and rural zones a boat longer than 8.6 m must be fully enclosed in a building. No RV, boat or utility trailer may be parked or stored on a lawn or landscaped area (except in the A1 to A6 agricultural zones). Under the Good Neighbour Bylaw, a vehicle, boat, trailer or RV may not be stored on a landscaped area, dismantled, or in disrepair (for example flat tires) unless fully enclosed.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations, s. 140.4](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140)
  - Official wording: "No person shall park or store on a TH1, TH2, SSMUH, N, RR, CR, SR, RS, RH1 or" … "a boat in excess of 8.6 m in length, except when completely enclosed within a Building." … "No vehicle, Commercial Vehicle, Recreational Vehicle or utility trailer is to be parked or stored on a lawn or Landscaped Area, except as specifically permitted in the A1,"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (No. 3068-2024), consolidated to March 31, 2026, s. 7(1)(b)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068)
  - Official wording: "store a motor vehicle, boat, trailer or recreational vehicle" … "on a landscaped portion of the property," … "dismantled or broken up, or" … "in a state of disrepair, including mould growth or one or more flat tires, unless the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Living in an RV:** Not on a street: nobody may live or work in an RV or trailer parked on a highway. On a lot: no vehicle, including an RV, may be used as a dwelling, except that an RV may be used as a dwelling for up to 72 consecutive hours in any 30-day period if its registered owner is not a resident of the lot.
  - Source: [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066), s. 50(a)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
  - Official wording: "occupy a recreational vehicle or a trailer as living or working quarters while the" … "recreational vehicle or the trailer is parked on a highway;"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations, s. 140.4.11](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140)
  - Official wording: "Except where specified as a permitted use, no vehicle, including a Recreational" … "Dwelling Unit for up to 72 consecutive hours in any 30 day period provided that the" … "registered owner of the Recreational Vehicle is not a Resident of the Lot."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: parking over 72 hours on a street $75; within 5 m of a hydrant $250; living in an RV on a street or breaking RV length and time rules $500. Zoning or Good Neighbour storage breaches: $500 (municipal ticket $1,000). $50 off if a bylaw notice is paid within 14 days.
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017), s. 7(1) Table 1; s. 6](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017)
  - Official wording: "Section 42 (1) (a) to (e) and (g) to (w) and $75" … "Section 42 (1) (f) [parking] of the Street $250" … "$500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice;" … "$1 000 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by municipal ticket;" … "is discounted by $50 if the penalty is paid in full within 14 days of the delivery of the bylaw notice."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (Bylaw No. 3066-2021), Divisions 4 and 5; Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (Bylaw No. 2400-2014), s. 140.4 (including 140.4.4 and 140.4.11); Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (Bylaw No. 3068-2024), s. 7
  - Source: [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066), title](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
  - Official wording: "Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021" … "Bylaw No. 3066-2021"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations, title](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014" … ".4 Parking and Storage of Vehicles (B/L 3246-2022, 3691-2025, 3704-2026)" … ".11 Urban Beekeeping (B/L 3249-2022, 3691-2025)"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (No. 3068-2024), consolidated to March 31, 2026, title](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068)
  - Official wording: "Good Neighbour Bylaw, 202 4 Bylaw No. 3068-2024 [Consolidated and printed by authority of the Corporate Officer under section 139 of the Community Charter. Includes amendmen t"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

On streets, the [Street and Traffic Bylaw](<https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066>) treats "recreational vehicles" as motor homes, campers, trailers designed as living quarters, and boats and their trailers. Yard rules are separate and are set by zoning (s. 140.4 of the [Zoning Bylaw](<https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140>)) and the Good Neighbour Bylaw.

## On the street

- No parking on a highway for more than 72 continuous hours.
- Trailers may not be parked on a street unless attached to a motor vehicle and able to be driven away. A detached camper may not be left on a street.
- The RV time limit does not apply to RVs under 6.7 m. An RV 6.7 m or longer registered to an Abbotsford address may park next to its owner's home (or another owner's, with consent) for up to 36 consecutive hours, then must move off that block for at least 48 hours.
- Nobody may live or work in an RV or trailer parked on a street.
- Parking is also banned on boulevards and sidewalks, and within 5 m of a hydrant.

## On your property

- No count limit was found. In most residential and rural zones a boat longer than 8.6 m must be fully enclosed in a building.
- No RV, boat or utility trailer may be parked or stored on a lawn or landscaped area (except in the A1 to A6 agricultural zones).
- Under the Good Neighbour Bylaw, a vehicle, boat, trailer or RV may not be stored on a landscaped area, dismantled, or in disrepair (for example flat tires) unless fully enclosed.
- No vehicle, including an RV, may be used as a dwelling on a lot, except that an RV may be used as a dwelling for up to 72 consecutive hours in any 30-day period if its registered owner is not a resident of the lot.

## Good to know

- A bylaw notice is $75 for parking over 72 hours on a street and $250 within 5 m of a hydrant. Other breaches fall under the general penalty: a $500 bylaw notice or a $1,000 municipal ticket. A bylaw notice is $50 less if paid within 14 days of delivery.
- The City's Parking Regulations page says legally parked vehicles with no time limit sign may stay up to 72 hours.
- Report a vehicle with the Bylaw Service Request form or call Bylaw Services at 604-864-5512.

## Official forms and pages

- [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140)

## Related questions

- [Abbotsford unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/unsightly-property.md)
- [Abbotsford bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [RV, boat and trailer parking rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)

## Sources

- [Street and Traffic Bylaw, 2021 (No. 3066)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2021bylaw3066) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (No. 3068-2024), consolidated to March 31, 2026](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Services, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parking Regulations, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services/parking-regulations) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Abbotsford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/rv-boat-trailer-parking/_