Summerland RV, boat and trailer parking rules
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.
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.Consolidated Traffic Bylaw 2386, ss. 5.02, 5.09, 5.13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingno 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 |
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| 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).Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (consolidated to March 3, 2026), Table of landscape screening (s. 5.5); Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, s. 5.5(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOutdoor 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. 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 |
| 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.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, s. 9.1(c); Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025), s. 4(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall on a street, park or in a public space: sleep in a motor vehicle for overnight abode; No vehicles are permitted to park overnight or remain in a park during the hours |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A, Traffic Bylaw and Good Neighbour Bylaw; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedules 8, 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPark 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 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 |
| Bylaw | Traffic Bylaw No. 2386 (Traffic and Use of Highways), Part V; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023; Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450.Consolidated Traffic Bylaw 2386, title; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A; Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (consolidated to March 3, 2026), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCONSOLIDATED TRAFFIC BYLAW 2386 11/13/2013 8. Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 |
How it works
On the street, the Traffic Bylaw 2386 (Part V) applies to RVs, boats and trailers as "vehicles" and "trailers". On your own lot, the Zoning Bylaw sets just one rule found here, and the Good Neighbour Bylaw bans derelict vehicles, boats and trailers.
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.
- 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
The same question in other places
Penticton · Peachland · West Kelowna · Keremeos · Lake Country · Princeton
RV, boat and trailer parking rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Consolidated Traffic Bylaw 2386 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (consolidated to March 3, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Parks Regulation Bylaw 2022-012 (consolidated to May 6, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Contact, District of Summerland (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.