Nelson RV, boat and trailer parking rules

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

Nelson, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Nelson, a residential lot may hold one recreational vehicle (even if over 4,000 kg) and one boat. On the street, no vehicle may park more than 72 hours continuously, and a trailer may not be left unattached. Living in a tent or RV is not allowed on a lot.

Key facts

On the street	No vehicle may park on a street more than 72 hours continuously. A trailer may not be left unattached on a street unless in an emergency. In a residential area, a vehicle over 5,500 kg or 7.5 m long may not park on a local street longer than 4 hours at a time.Traffic Bylaw 3156, 2010, s. 50, 57; Parking · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording no person shall park a vehicle on any highway for more than seventy-two (72) hours continuously. No person shall park any trailer unattached upon any highway unless in emergency situations or the trailer is attached to a vehicle by which it may no person shall park any vehicle having a gross vehicle weight exceeding 5,500 kilograms, or a length in excess of seven and one-half (7.5) meters on a local highway within a residential area for a consecutive period longer than four (4) hours. Parking is not permitted for more than 72 hours continuously.
On your property	In a residential zone, one recreational vehicle may be stored or parked per lot, even if over 4,000 kg, and no more than one boat. Otherwise no vehicle over 4,000 kg gross vehicle weight may be stored, parked or repaired on the lot. No placement or size rule found.Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, Part 3, s. 21, 22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Despite section 21, one recreational vehicle may be stored or parked per lot in a residential zone. No more than one boat may be stored or parked on a lot in a residential zone. No lot in a residential zone shall be used for the storage, parking, or repair of a vehicle in excess of 4,000 kilograms gross vehicle weight. Despite section 21, one recreational vehicle may be stored or parked per lot in a residential zone.
Living in an RV	No, not on a lot. A tent or recreational vehicle used for habitation is a prohibited use in all zones.Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, Part 3, s. 4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Any use not expressly permitted in a zone is prohibited in that zone. This includes, but is not limited to, the following uses that are prohibited in all zones: A tent or recreational vehicle used for habitation;
Fine	Bylaw notice: parked over 72 hours $55 ($25 within 14 days; $110 after 28 days). Trailer parked without a power unit $55 (same). Over-weight or over-length vehicle parked over 4 hours in a residential area $80 ($35; $160). Using a tent or RV for habitation $300 ($250; $500).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A, Schedule A, Traffic s. 50, 57; Zoning Part 3 s. 4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Parked over 72 hours $55 $25 $110 No Park trailer without power unit Using a tent or recreation vehicle for habitation 63(b) weight or length for over 4 $80 $35 $160 Yes
Bylaw	Traffic Bylaw No. 3156, 2010 (sections 50, 57); Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (Part 3, sections 4, 21, 22).Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, Title; Bylaws, City bylaw list · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Nelson Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 Traffic Bylaw No. 3156, 2010 (Consolidated)

How it works

Two bylaws apply. The Zoning Bylaw 3652 covers what you may keep on your lot, and the Traffic Bylaw 3156 covers parking on the street. The Traffic Bylaw defines a "recreation vehicle" as a chassis-mounted camper, motor home, holiday trailer or boat trailer for recreational use.

On your lot (residential zone)

One recreational vehicle may be stored or parked per lot, even if it is over 4,000 kg.
No more than one boat.
Otherwise, no vehicle over 4,000 kg gross vehicle weight may be stored, parked or repaired on the lot.
A tent or recreational vehicle used for habitation is a prohibited use in all zones.

On the street

No vehicle may park on a street more than 72 hours continuously.
A trailer may not be left unattached on a street unless in an emergency.
In a residential area, a vehicle over 5,500 kg or 7.5 m long may not park on a local street longer than 4 hours at a time.
Trailers and RVs longer than 6.5 m cannot get a complimentary residential parking permit.

Good to know

Metered stalls have posted time limits.
The bylaws set no rule on where on the lot an RV or boat may sit, or on its size. Ask Bylaw Services at 250-505-5666.
Nelson uses bylaw notices only.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Castlegar · Slocan · Salmo · Fruitvale · Montrose · Trail

RV, boat and trailer parking rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Traffic Bylaw 3156, 2010 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Parking, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Services, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaws, City of Nelson (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. How answers are checked.