Residential Parking Standards for RVs, Boats, and Trailers in the City of Arlington
In the City of Arlington, recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers are classified as motor vehicles and must be parked on a permanent, all-weather surface such as concrete or asphalt. While these vehicles may be parked under a carport if the home was constructed prior to January 31, 1984, the Arlington Unified Development Code prohibits parking any vehicle within a required perimeter landscape setback or on any unpaved surface within a yard.
General Requirements for Recreational Parking
The City of Arlington classifies recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, and trailers within the definition of "Motor Vehicles" under the Arlington Unified Development Code. Consequently, these vehicles are subject to the same general parking standards as standard automobiles.
Surface and Location Standards
All permanent parking areas within the City of Arlington must comply with specific material and placement regulations to ensure safety and neighborhood aesthetics.
| Standard Category | Requirement | UDC Section |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted Surface Materials | Asphalt, concrete, or approved porous/pervious paving systems | Section 5.4.9.H.2 |
| Connection to Street | Must be connected to a street or alley by an all-weather surfaced driveway | Section 5.4.9.H.1 |
| Landscape Setback | Parking within a perimeter landscape setback is expressly prohibited | Section 5.2.2.B.2 |
| Public Right-of-Way | No off-street parking facility may be located in a public street, sidewalk, or parkway | Section 5.4.9.B.1.a |
Parking in Carports and Yards
The City of Arlington allows the use of carports for the storage of recreational equipment, provided the primary structure meets certain age and design criteria.
Carport Usage for RVs and Boats
Under the Arlington Unified Development Code, an area under a permitted carport may be used to park "operable and properly licensed vehicles," which explicitly includes boats and campers, provided they are customarily incidental to the residential use of the property [Section 3.3.6.D.3.h].
However, the Arlington Unified Development Code restricts the installation of carports in the required front yard to lots where the principal structure was originally constructed before January 31, 1984 [Section 3.3.6.D.1]. Any such carport must:
- Be located at least five feet from the side lot line or no closer than the principal structure [Section 3.3.6.D.3.e].
- Provide an all-weather surface (concrete or asphalt) designed for vehicle storage [Section 3.3.6.D.3.i].
- Not be used for the storage of household belongings or non-vehicle items [Section 3.3.6.D.3.h].
Prohibition of Parking in Yards
The City of Arlington prohibits the parking of vehicles in areas that have not been specifically improved for parking. Section 5.2.2.B.2 of the Arlington Unified Development Code states that buildings and paving—except for approved sidewalks and driveways—are prohibited in the perimeter landscape setback. Furthermore, parking motor vehicles within the perimeter landscape setback is expressly prohibited.
Use of Trailers for Home-Based Businesses
For residents operating a home occupation in the City of Arlington, the Arlington Unified Development Code provides a specific allowance for trailers. The parking of one trailer in a driveway or along the street curb is not considered "outside storage" for the purposes of regulating a home-based business, provided it does not create a nuisance or detected interference with the neighborhood [Section 3.3.6.H.4.e, Section 3.3.6.H.4.g].
Definitions Related to Recreational Vehicles
To ensure compliance with the City of Arlington standards, residents should be aware of how the Arlington Unified Development Code defines these items:
- Motor Vehicle: Includes cars, vans, pickups, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, campers, and recreational trailers that are not self-propelled [Section 12.7.1].
- Travel Trailer: A portable vehicular structure built on a chassis, designed as a temporary dwelling to be towed, with a gross weight of not more than 4,500 pounds or an overall length of not more than 30 feet [Section 12.7.1].
- Outdoor Storage (Accessory): The long-term retention (more than 24 hours) of materials or equipment. Notably, new or used motor vehicle sales and rental displays are not defined as outside storage [Section 12.3.5.L].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.3.6, Supplemental Accessory Use Standards
- Section 5.2.2, Landscaping Required
- Section 5.4.9, Parking Facility Location and Design
- Section 12.3.3, Commercial Uses
- Section 12.3.5, Accessory Uses and Structures
- Section 12.7.1, Other Terms Defined