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Port Hardy RV, boat and trailer parking rules

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

Port Hardy, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Port Hardy, no vehicle may stay parked on a street for more than 72 hours, and a trailer may not be parked on a street unless attached to a vehicle able to tow it. In residential yards, one RV or boat up to 15 m is allowed in the front or side yard.

Key facts

On the streetNo parking on a street for more than 72 hours continuously. A trailer (including a holiday or boat trailer) may not be parked on any street unless attached to a vehicle able to tow it. No unlicensed vehicle, trailer or RV on public streets. In residential areas, vehicles over 5,500 kg or 7.5 m: 2 hours.Traffic Regulations Bylaw No. 16-2007, s. 7(d), 7(j), 7(l), 7(n) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
No persons shall park a vehicle on any highway for more than seventy-two (72)
No person shall park an unlicensed vehicle, trailer or recreational vehicle on public
having a gross weight exceeding 5,500 kilograms or a length in excess of 7.5
No trailer, including a holiday trailer or boat trailer, shall be parked on any street of
On your propertyResidential zones: front or side yard allows one RV up to 15 m, or one boat up to 15 m, or one boat and one RV with combined length 15 m, each at least 1.0 m from side lot lines. Rear yard: one RV or trailer up to 6.0 m, at least 1.0 m from the rear line. Commercial vehicles and craft: rear yard only (s. 3.20(d)).Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.20(c) to (e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
No front or side yard in a Residential Zone shall be used for parking or storage of a recreational vehicle
One recreational vehicle up to 15 metres (49.2 feet) in length may be parked in a front or side yard
One boat and one recreational vehicle having a combined length of 15 metres (49.2 feet) may be
one vehicle or trailer which cannot exceed a length of 6.0 meters
(e) The parking and storage of recreational vehicles in a rear yard in a residential zone shall be limited to one vehicle or trailer which cannot exceed a length of 6.0 meters
One boat up to 15 metres (49.2 feet) in length may be parked in a front or side yard provided it is located no closer than 1.0 metre (3.28 feet) to any side parcel line;
Living in an RVPermanent residential use of an RV, tent trailer or pleasure craft is prohibited (except in a marina). An owner building a permitted dwelling may live in an RV on that parcel for up to 12 consecutive months, after notifying the District in writing, at least 2.0 m from parcel lines, with sewage to a sani-dump or the sewer.Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.2(d), 3.15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Permanent residential use of a tent trailer, or recreational vehicle, or pleasure craft
shall not exceed twelve (12) consecutive
the owner of the subject
parcel shall notify the District in writing
The recreational vehicle shall be located no closer than 2.0 metres (6.56 feet) to any parcel line.
FineMunicipal ticket: parking over 72 hours $50; unlawful parking of a trailer $100; unlicensed vehicle parked on a street $50; exceeding permitted parking time $50. Storing a boat, vehicle or RV contrary to residential-zone rules: $100.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014, Schedule O, Traffic Regulations Bylaw No. 16-2007; Schedule T, Zoning Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Parking in excess of 72 hours
Unlawful parking of trailer
Unlicensed vehicle parked on public streets
Violation of regulations pertaining to boat, motor vehicle and
recreational vehicle storage in Residential Zone
BylawTraffic Regulations Bylaw No. 16-2007, s. 7; Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, s. 3.20, 3.2(d), 3.15 (December 2025 consolidation).Traffic Regulations Bylaw No. 16-2007, title; Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.20 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A BYLAW TO REGULATE TRAFFIC WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES
OF THE DISTRICT OF PORT HARDY
BOAT, MOTOR VEHICLE AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES

How it works

On the street, the Traffic Regulations Bylaw 16-2007 allows no parking for more than 72 hours continuously. A trailer, including a holiday or boat trailer, may not be parked on any street unless attached to a vehicle able to tow it. No unlicensed vehicle, trailer or RV may be on public streets. In residential areas, vehicles over 5,500 kg or 7.5 m may park for 2 hours.

On your own property, the Zoning Bylaw 1010-2013 (section 3.20) sets the limits below.

Steps

  1. Front or side yard in a residential zone: one RV up to 15 m, or one boat up to 15 m, or one boat and one RV with a combined length of 15 m. Keep each at least 1.0 m from side lot lines.
  2. Rear yard: one RV or trailer up to 6.0 m, at least 1.0 m from the rear line.
  3. Commercial vehicles and craft parked in the open: rear yard only, with limited exceptions (one commercial boat up to 6.0 m).

Good to know

  • Permanent residential use of an RV, tent trailer or pleasure craft is prohibited, except in a marina. An owner building a permitted dwelling may live in an RV on that parcel for up to 12 consecutive months. The District must be told in writing, the RV must be at least 2.0 m from parcel lines, and sewage must go to a sani-dump or the sewer.
  • The traffic bylaw says nothing about sleeping in a vehicle on a street. In parks, sleeping in a vehicle and overnight camping without permission are ticketable at $100 under the Parks and Beaches Bylaw.
  • A municipal ticket is $50 for parking over 72 hours, $100 for unlawful trailer parking, $50 for an unlicensed vehicle on a street, and $100 for storing a boat, vehicle or RV against the residential rules. Using a parcel as a wrecking yard or for more than two unlicensed vehicles is $250 (Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 01-2010).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Port McNeill · Tahsis · Sayward · Gold River · Campbell River · Cumberland

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

Sources

  1. Traffic Regulations Bylaw No. 16-2007 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Bylaws, District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)

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.