Parking Regulations for RVs, Boats, and Trailers in the City of Fort Worth
In the City of Fort Worth, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, and trailers must be parked on a hard-surfaced, dust-free driveway and are strictly prohibited from being parked on the grass or any unpaved surface within a front yard [Section 6.202(e)(1), Section 6.202(f)(7)]. While these vehicles may be stored on a residential property, the City of Fort Worth prohibits their use as permanent living quarters in any zoning district [Section 4.202(b)(5)].
| Requirement Type | City of Fort Worth Standard |
|---|---|
| Prohibited Parking Location | Front yard areas (grass/dirt) between the front property line and the building [Section 6.202(f)(7)] |
| Allowed Parking Location | Designated driveways or pads [Section 6.202(f)(7)] |
| Surface Material | Hard-surfaced and dust-free (e.g., concrete or asphalt) [Section 6.202(e)(1)] |
| Gravel Allowance | Compacted gravel is permitted for 1- or 2-family uses if contained within a border [Section 6.202(f)(6)] |
| Max Front Yard Coverage | Driveway and parking area cannot exceed 50% of the front yard [Section 6.202(f)(7)] |
| Habitation Rule | Prohibited as permanent living quarters in all districts [Section 4.202(b)(5)] |
General Residential Parking Standards
The City of Fort Worth mandates that all off-street parking for one-family and two-family dwellings be located behind the front building line or on a designated driveway. Parking a recreational vehicle, boat, or trailer in the yard—defined as the area between the front property line and the closest location of the home—is a violation of the City of Fort Worth zoning code [Section 6.201(b), Section 6.202(f)(7)].
Driveway and Surface Requirements
Every parking space and driveway in the City of Fort Worth must be maintained in a dust-free condition. For residents in one-family and two-family districts, driveways may consist of a compacted gravel base, provided the gravel is contained within a permanent border and the driveway is kept free of dust [Section 6.202(e)(1), Section 6.202(f)(6)].
Driveway coverage is limited to ensure neighborhood aesthetics and drainage; specifically, no parking area for these residential uses may exceed 50% of the total front yard area [Section 6.202(f)(7)].
Restrictions on Use and Habitation
While the City of Fort Worth allows for the storage of recreational vehicles on private property, there are strict rules regarding their use:
- Permanent Living: Recreational vehicles shall not be occupied as permanent living quarters in any zoning district within the City of Fort Worth [Section 4.202(b)(5)].
- Definition: For these regulations, a recreational vehicle is defined as a unit built on a single chassis, 400 square feet or less, which is self-propelled or towable and designed for temporary seasonal or travel use [Section 9.101].
Special Limitations for Specific Property Types
In certain residential environments, the City of Fort Worth applies even stricter dimensional limits on where RVs and trailers can be parked.
Bed and Breakfast Homes and Inns
If a property is permitted as a Bed and Breakfast Home or a Bed and Breakfast Inn in the City of Fort Worth, additional restrictions apply to the parking of larger equipment. The following types of vehicles are prohibited from being parked by either owners or guests on the premises or the adjacent street:
- Recreational vehicles, trailer homes, or campers exceeding a seven-foot height.
- Vehicles exceeding a seven-foot width.
- Vehicles exceeding a 20-foot length [Section 5.106(e), Section 5.107(j)].
TCU Residential Overlay District
In the TCU Residential Overlay District, the City of Fort Worth maintains specific compatibility standards. Any residential nonconforming use in this district that is abandoned or discontinued for a period of 24 consecutive months cannot be resumed [Section 4.406(f)].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.202, Manufactured Housing (“MH”) District
- Section 4.406, TCU Residential (“TCU”) Overlay District
- Section 5.106, Bed and Breakfast Home
- Section 5.107, Bed and Breakfast Inn
- Section 6.201, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 6.202, Parking Lot Design Standards
- Section 9.101, Defined Terms