Fort St James RV, boat and trailer parking rules

Can I park an RV, boat, or trailer on the street or in my yard in Fort St James?

Fort St James, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

On the street

Fort St James's traffic rules sit in Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw No. 839, 2007, as amended by Bylaw 917, Bylaw 925 and Bylaw 970. Parking on a highway over 48 hours without moving is an offence. So is an unattached trailer on a highway without a written permit, or a commercial trailer attached over 2 consecutive hours. Commercial vehicles over 20,000 kg or 12.5 m may not park on District roads, except provincial highways or roads beside commercial or industrial parcels.

Boats and RVs are not named in the amending bylaws read, and the base bylaw could not be read.

Living in a vehicle is not allowed on streets, District parking areas or other public places, outside designated camping or resting areas.

In your yard

Under the Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025, in residential zones one boat or vessel and one trailer or motor home may be parked or stored in the open. This is allowed only on a lot with a finished principal residential building, and it may not be used as a residence. One truck or commercial vehicle is also allowed.

Good to know

• While a house is being built, one trailer or motor home may be lived in on the lot for up to six months, outside the minimum setback. Otherwise living in one on a residential lot is not allowed.
• Size limits and setback rules for stored boats and RVs were not found. Ask the District Office at 250-996-8233.
• Fines: over 48 hours on a highway is $25 for a first offence and $50 for later ones. Living quarters on a street is $50. Unattached trailer without a permit, or commercial trailer attached over 2 hours, is $50 first and $100 subsequent. Illegal overnight camping is $100 first and $200 subsequent.