As a homeowner, you may assume you have the right to park your boat on your privately owned driveway, but that isn’t always the case.
Fair warning: In the case of boat parking, jumping to conclusions and making assumptions could result in hefty fines.
The truth is that many HOA-protected communities and municipalities prohibit the parking of boats in driveways, so you’ll need to do some digging into local city ordinances to ensure you can legally park your boat in your driveway, without risking any unnecessary fines.
In this guide, we’ll examine trends in boat parking rules/restrictions within a given state. It is important to note that driveway parking laws are not enforced state-wide. Boat parking rules/regulations are regulated by cities and municipalities, so consider these to be general rules of thumb.
If you find that your home state forbids homeowners from parking a boat on their driveway, look for affordable boat storage options through peer-to-peer storage marketplaces like Neighbor.
Boat Driveway Parking Regulations by State
Alabama
Generally speaking, you can park your boat in your driveway in Alabama so long as it doesn’t come within 10 feet of the road.
Alaska
So long as the boat does not obstruct the roadway or any entrance whatsoever, then there is generally no issue with parking a boat in a driveway.
Arizona
RVs, campers, and boats may be parked in a driveway, so long as they don’t go over the length limit.
Arkansas
In some places in Arkansas, it is now illegal to park a boat or trailer in front of a residence for more than 24 consecutive hours.
California
In most places in California, the regulations are lenient for those who wish to park their large vehicles on their property.
Colorado
In Colorado, you most often need to park your large vehicle in a side or rear driveway surface, rather than a front one.
Connecticut
In most cases, recreational vehicles can be legally stored on private roadways so long as there is only one such vehicle, and it doesn’t exceed 25 feet in length.
Delaware
In many places in Delaware, such as in New Castle, the parking of recreational vehicles is strictly prohibited.
Florida
In several municipalities, it is prohibited to park one’s boat or other recreational vehicle in a private driveway for extended periods of time.
Georgia
In most parts of Georgia, it is illegal to park boats in driveways, and doing so could lead to a hefty fine.
Hawaii
In most parts of Hawaii, there are no specific laws prohibiting the parking of boats on private driveways, so long as it does not create any blockage.
Idaho
Some parts of Idaho, such as the city of Rathdrum, allow the parking of a recreational vehicle in a private driveway for periods shorter than 48 hours.
Illinois
In some areas of Illinois, boat owners are only permitted to park their boats on a driveway for up to 48 hours and only for unloading purposes.
Indiana
Although it depends on the municipality, many parts of Indiana allow for up to one boat to be parked on private property, as long as it doesn’t exceed 32 feet in length and 8 in width.
Iowa
So long as the driveway meets the material regulations, then you shouldn’t face any problems parking your boat on your driveway in Iowa.
Kansas
Most places in Kansas allow for up to one recreational vehicle to be parked in the driveway of a home.
Kentucky
In some places, it is only legal to park if it is for immediate loading or unloading, rather than for long-term storage.
Louisiana
As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to make sure you park your car in a rear or side driveway to avoid any unnecessary fines.
Maine
Maine is rather lenient when it comes to parking recreational vehicles on private driveways. As always, check with the local city ordinances to avoid any unnecessary fines.
Maryland
Generally speaking, you are allowed to park one recreational vehicle, such as a boat, in your driveway.
Massachusetts
While street parking for recreational vehicles is generally prohibited in Massachusetts, many of its communities allow for driveway parking.
Michigan
So long as the parked vehicle is not within eight feet of any public sidewalk, you should face no issues parking your boat in a driveway in Michigan.
Minnesota
In most places, you can park your boat in a Minnesota driveway.
Mississippi
In a majority of Mississippi, boats can only be parked in a front driveway for up to 72 hours. For periods exceeding 72 hours, these creational vehicles must be parked in a rear or side yard.
Missouri
Although it is illegal to park in an unpaved front yard, parking your boat on a Missouri driveway is permitted.
Montana
In many cases, it is required that a boat be parked in a rear or side yard unless no such space is available.
Nebraska
In Omaha, Nebraska, you are allowed to park your boat in a driveway so long as the vehicle is equal to or less than 20 feet in length.
Nevada
As with Montana, the general rule of thumb in Nevada is that boats and other recreational vehicles must be parked in a rear or side yard unless said yards are nonexistent or inaccessible.
New Hampshire
Generally, New Hampshire doesn’t impose restrictions on boat parking in driveways.
New Jersey
In some parts of New Jersey, driveway boat parking is allowed, so long as the boat does not exceed 26 feet in length.
New Mexico
It is generally okay to park a boat in a New Mexico driveway, so long as the boat does not extend over a public sidewalk or obstruct the roadway access.
New York
Because some areas in New York strictly prohibit recreational vehicle storage in driveways, you’ll still need to double-check the local city ordinances.
North Carolina
There are little to no restrictions regarding boat parking in private driveways in North Carolina.
North Dakota
As long as the driveways meet the material regulations, it is generally perfectly legal to park your boat in your driveway in North Dakota.
Ohio
Although it is forbidden to park a boat in a street, you can park your boat in most driveways in Ohio.
Oklahoma
In most places in Oklahoma, parking a boat in a driveway is fine so long as the driveway is properly paved.
Oregon
In some parts of Oregon, recreational vehicles like boats–which are not in frequent use–can only be parked in side or rear yards, but not front driveways.
Pennsylvania
While there are strict laws in Pennsylvania regarding public parking spaces, there are few regulations regarding private driveways, so parking your boat should not be such a problem.
Rhode Island
While most communities in Rhode Island don’t have strict rules or restrictions regarding the parking of recreational vehicles, it is important to check out local city ordinances before parking your boat in a driveway.
South Carolina
In some places, such as Tega Cay, a permit is required in order to be allowed to park your boat in a driveway for up to 72 hours.
South Dakota
So long as the boat is parked on a hard-surface driveway and is not obstructing any roadway, backing your boat into a driveway is permitted.
Tennessee
In most cases, you’ll be allowed to park your boat in your Tennessee driveway.
Texas
In some communities, such as the city of Grapevine, you need to have an approved permit in order to park your boat on a driveway.
Utah
In most Utah cities, parking a boat in a driveway is not an issue, so long as the rules regarding curb distance are respected.
Vermont
In some places in Vermont, you are only allowed to store your boat for 72 consecutive hours in a driveway. Beyond that, you will need to find an alternative form of storage.
Virginia
In many Virginia cities, boat parking in a driveway is only permissible for unloading and loading, within a limited 24-hour period.
Washington
Recreational vehicles, including boats, can be legally parked in driveways in different parts of Washington, so long as the boat is licensed.
West Virginia
Generally speaking, West Virginia is pretty lenient when it comes to recreational vehicle storage, meaning you should be fine parking your boat on a West Virginia driveway.
Wisconsin
In many places in Wisconsin, recreational parking is limited seasonally, being allowed only during the summer months.
Wyoming
Wyoming doesn’t tend to enforce strict restrictions against boat parking in driveways. Just make sure to check the regulations regarding curb distances.
Alternative Boat Storage Options
While many states typically permit boat parking in residential driveways, there may be constraints and restrictions.
To avoid the hassle of a bulky speed boat blocking off your entire driveway, you may want to consider checking out Neighbor, a peer-to-peer marketplace that offers covered boat storage, indoor/enclosed boat storage, and wet boat storage in all 50 states.
