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

# Summerland RV, boat and trailer parking rules

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

**Short answer:** On Summerland streets, no vehicle may stay parked more than 48 hours in a row, and a trailer must be attached to a vehicle that can draw it. On your own lot, the only rule found is a screening requirement for storing more than five RVs or boats in urban residential zones.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Summerland, https://www.summerland.ca)  
**Cost:** Bylaw notice: over 48 hours $50 ($40 within 14 days; $60 after 28 days); unattached trailer $50; vehicle over 5,600 kg $100; sleeping in a vehicle overnight $100. Municipal ticket: $100, $100, $250 and $100.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services (zoning questions), 250-494-1373
- Email: Development Services, devserv@summerland.ca
- Phone: Bylaw Services, 250-494-6451 ext. 4

## Key facts

- **On the street:** No vehicle may stay parked on a highway more than 48 hours in a row. A trailer may not be parked on a highway unless it is attached to a vehicle that can draw it (except in an emergency). A vehicle over 5,600 kg gross weight or 7.5 m long may not park on a local residential street in a residential area for more than two hours.
  - Source: [Consolidated Traffic Bylaw 2386, ss. 5.02, 5.09, 5.13](http://summerland.ca/docs/default-source/administration/bylaws/traffic_-and-_use_of_highways.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no person shall park a vehicle on any highway for more than forty eight (48) hours continuously." … "No person shall park any trailer upon any highway unless in emergency situations or the" … "trailer is attached to a vehicle by which it may be propelled or drawn." … "gross vehicle weight exceeding 5,600 kg, or a length in excess of 7.5 metres on a local"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **On your property:** The Zoning Bylaw sets one rule: outdoor storage of more than five recreational vehicles and/or boats in urban residential zones needs a 1.6 m landscaped screen or 1.8 m fence along lines facing a public highway or neighbouring lot. Derelict vehicles, boats or trailers may not be kept (Good Neighbour Bylaw).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (consolidated to March 3, 2026), Table of landscape screening (s. 5.5)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Outdoor storage facilities for Property Lines Abutting a public 1.6m wide Landscaped Screen or" … "more than five Recreational Highway or neighbouring Lot. 1.8m high Fence." … "Vehicles and/or boats in all urban residential zones."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, s. 5.5(c)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/good-neighbour-bylaw-no-2021-023dadb9f5cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "keep a derelict vehicle of any sort, including but not limited to a motor" … "vehicle, vehicle, boat or trailer except as part of a lawful business operating"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Living in an RV:** Not on a street, in a park or in any public space: no one may sleep in a motor vehicle as an overnight abode. In a park, vehicles may not stay overnight without a permit. No rule on sleeping in an RV on your own lot was found; the Zoning Bylaw says a dwelling does not include a Recreational Vehicle.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, s. 9.1(c)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/good-neighbour-bylaw-no-2021-023dadb9f5cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall on a street, park or in a public space:" … "sleep in a motor vehicle for overnight abode;"
  - Source: [Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025), s. 4(b)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/parks-regulation-bylaw-no-2022-012-cons-to-may-6-20257a8ca55cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No vehicles are permitted to park overnight or remain in a park during the hours"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: park on a highway over 48 hours $50 ($40 within 14 days; $60 after 28 days); trailer unattached $50; vehicle over 5,600 kg $100; sleeping in a vehicle overnight $100. Municipal ticket: 48 hours $100; unattached trailer $100; heavy vehicle $250; overnight abode $100.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A, Traffic Bylaw and Good Neighbour Bylaw](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Park Over 48 hours 5.02 $50.00 40.00 60.00" … "Trailer unattached from vehicle 5.09 $50.00 40.00 60.00" … "Vehicle over 5,600 kg 5.13 $100.00 90.00 110.00" … "Use motor vehicle for overnight abode 9.1(c) $100.00 $90.00 $110.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedules 8, 13](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Park Over 48 hours 5.02 $100.00" … "Trailer unattached from vehicle 5.09 $100.00" … "Vehicle over 5,600 kg 5.13 $250.00" … "Use motor vehicle for overnight abode 9.1(c) $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Traffic Bylaw No. 2386 (Traffic and Use of Highways), Part V; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023; Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450.
  - Source: [Consolidated Traffic Bylaw 2386, title](http://summerland.ca/docs/default-source/administration/bylaws/traffic_-and-_use_of_highways.pdf)
  - Official wording: "CONSOLIDATED TRAFFIC BYLAW 2386 11/13/2013"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "8. Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (consolidated to March 3, 2026), title](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

On the street, the [Traffic Bylaw 2386](http://summerland.ca/docs/default-source/administration/bylaws/traffic_-and-_use_of_highways.pdf) (Part V) applies to RVs, boats and trailers as "vehicles" and "trailers". On your own lot, the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf) sets just one rule found here, and the [Good Neighbour Bylaw](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/good-neighbour-bylaw-no-2021-023dadb9f5cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) bans derelict vehicles, boats and trailers.

## On the street

1. No vehicle may stay parked on a highway more than 48 hours in a row.
2. A trailer may not be parked on a highway unless it is attached to a vehicle that can draw it (except in an emergency).
3. A vehicle over 5,600 kg gross weight or 7.5 m long may not park on a local residential street in a residential area for more than two hours.
4. Posted time limits and residential parking permit areas may also apply.

## On your property

- Storing more than five recreational vehicles and/or boats outdoors in urban residential zones needs a 1.6 m landscaped screen or a 1.8 m fence along lines facing a public highway or a neighbouring lot.
- No general limit on where, how many or what size of RV, boat or trailer may be kept on a residential lot was found in the Zoning Bylaw.
- A derelict vehicle, boat or trailer may not be kept. Derelict means wrecked or disabled, unable to move under its own power or be towed, or without current-year licence plates.

## Good to know

- Sleeping: no one may sleep in a motor vehicle as an overnight abode on a street, in a park or in any public space, and vehicles may not stay overnight in a park without a permit. No rule on sleeping in an RV on your own lot was found; the Zoning Bylaw says a dwelling does not include a recreational vehicle. Ask Development Services.
- Call Development Services on 250-494-1373 for zoning questions, or Bylaw Services for a complaint.

## Official forms and pages

- [Traffic Bylaw 2386 (PDF)](http://summerland.ca/docs/default-source/administration/bylaws/traffic_-and-_use_of_highways.pdf)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/good-neighbour-bylaw-no-2021-023dadb9f5cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Summerland unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/unsightly-property.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)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md)

## Sources

- [Consolidated Traffic Bylaw 2386 (PDF)](http://summerland.ca/docs/default-source/administration/bylaws/traffic_-and-_use_of_highways.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/good-neighbour-bylaw-no-2021-023dadb9f5cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (consolidated to March 3, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/parks-regulation-bylaw-no-2022-012-cons-to-may-6-20257a8ca55cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/your-city-hall/contact) (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 District of Summerland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/rv-boat-trailer-parking/_