Beautiful bohemians living in their vans have dominated Instagram and YouTube for the past few years. But as much as it looks like everyone is “living the dream” of bikini bods, escaping their 9-to-5, and la vie boheme, the reality is never as enviable as a filtered social media pic.
The most glaringly overlooked problem with #vanlife, is the legality of it- or lack thereof: Can you live in a RV legally?
The answer is a bit nuanced.
Still, there are tens of thousands of people who decide to live in a RV in order to save money, pay down debt and live a more financially-free life.
Many cities and counties have passed their own local laws and regulations against habitating in vehicles. These laws essentially make it illegal to sleep overnight in a RV, car, or van.
Daytime parking is relatively easy: City parks, beaches, public streets, and shopping centers are common places to spend the day while living in a RV, but when the sun goes down, laws tighten up…
As an urban RVer (living in the city), finding a place to stealth park for the night to get some shut eye can be difficult.
First, vanlifers need to hide from the locals. If home owners or apartment-dwellers spot you “living” on their street, they may give the police a call and report you as a “suspicious vehicle”.
And no one wants to get a cop-knock on their door at 2AM.
Depending on what city you’re in, getting a cop-knock could result in a few outcomes: Being questioned and told to move, getting a ticket, or the worst of all- being arrested.
Although, we haven’t heard of this happening, it is a tool law enforcement has at its disposal.
Los Angeles, CA, for instance, is experiencing a severe homeless crisis. With nearly 200,000 homeless people on the streets, tents on sidewalks, and RVs packed on the streets, the city is trying to curb the problem.
One solution LA is trying is forbidding RV overnight parking.
Interestingly, physically living on the streets is treated less punitively than sleeping in one’s vehicle.
Tickets aren’t given to people sleeping on sidewalks, but they are doled out to those self-contained RVs.
Unfortunately, RVers are often classified by local governments as “homeless”. If a person lacks a physical home address and is living in a vehicle, they meet the criteria to be labelled as such.
In regards to police interactions (in cities like Los Angeles), officers are required to offer “resources” to van dwellers.
This typically means an officer will encourage a RVer to leave the area and take up lodging at a homeless shelter for the night, and if refused, the RVer can be ticketed and (possibly) charged with a misdemeanor.
Each city and county have different laws, so make sure you do your due diligence before parking in an area to sleep for the night.
Another thing to take into account is how the locals often view van-dwellers. As discussed earlier, homeowners may ask police to check on a “suspicious vehicle” and (sometimes) for good reason.
In southern CA, where we live, more people have been edged out of the housing market due to skyrocketing costs.
Because of an ability to pay for rent or a high mortgage, cheap RVs have been increasingly taking residence on city streets.
With this surge in RVs, some problems have popped up…
Sanitation. There are tales of RVers dumping their black and grey tanks into street drains. If you’ve had any experience with black tanks, you know that not only is dumping anywhere other than a designated dump station disgusting, it is also harmful to human health and the environment.
Black tanks are filled with raw sewage and (hopefully) chemical treatments to break down human waste- they should never be dumped anywhere except a dump area.
If a homeowner or apartment-dweller has seen this happen one time, they are not going to be welcoming of RVers in their area.
Parking. RVs can range in length from 18′-40′, with smaller vehicles being more inconspicuous than something bus-sized. In cities, it’s not uncommon for RVers to park in one spot for days, weeks or months at a time.
This is a surefire way to annoy people and bring negative attention your way.
Being respectful of the area you’re in is essential if you want to remain living in any city. This means parking in an area late at night and leaving early in the morning (assuming you’re urban camping in your vehicle).
Not only does this make it better for you, but also ensures that the ability to park in the same area is still available to others living the same way.
Now, don’t let some of these often-neglected realities of van life scare you off too soon.
Just like #REALvanlife isn’t all bikinis and Kombucha, it’s also not all doom and gloom either.
People do live full-time in a variety of vehicles, get along with the locals and haven’t gotten the cop-knock… And jails aren’t filled with RVers.
Building up a list of places to park is essential for any van lifer. Here are some of the most popular options for living in the city:
- RV Parks
- 24-Hour Business Parking Lots
- Stealth Parking (on city streets)
- Industrial Areas
- Truck Stops
- BLM Land
- Camp Grounds (State Beaches, State Parks, Forests)
- Friends + Family’s Land/Driveways
- Your Own Purchased Land
Pros and Cons
RV Parks. These are great for alleviating the stress of finding parking or stealth parking, and are most popular among travelers passing through an area, summer vacationers, and retirees.
The downside of RV Parks is that they require daily, weekly or monthly rent, and often have time limits on length of stays.
RVers also must contend with RV Parks’ rules: Many require RVs to be under 10 years old, and won’t allow vehicles older to park on the premise.
24-Hour Businesses. Well, camping out in a parking lot is certainly not glamorous. And it’s not a permanent solution.
The upside is this kind of night parking is free, but should be used for only a night in the same spot. Examples of 24-hour businesses friendly to RVers passing through are places like McDonald’s, Del Taco, etc..
And it’s always nice to buy a meal or coffee if you’re planning on staying- it’s neighborly!
Industrial Areas. Areas under construction or with factories can be easy to park in- and free- to grab some shut-eye.
However, they might be noisy, or look “unsavory”- And depending on where you are, they might not be the most safe places to stay.
Stealth parking is important, but so is keeping yourself safe. Use your gut and common sense when scoping out places to park!
Truck Stops. Truck stops can be great places to park overnight since your rig will fit right in to the bustling area.
Since truck stops are made for workers traveling cross-country and need rest, food, and showers, that means you can take advantage of the same services!
Overnight parking should be free, but you’ll need to spend a little cash for a meal and coin-showers, but that’s standard.
And if you do end up staying at a truck stop there are a few unwritten rules to follow as a RVer…
Stay out of the trucks’ way (park in areas not designated for the workers coming and going), make sure to leave the next day, and purchase something as a “thanks” to the establishment in exchange for staying the night.
Even if it’s just a cup of coffee, it’s always good practice to support the businesses that are supporting you.
Your Own Plot of Land. Purchasing your own plot of land allows you to be self-sufficient and gives you options: RV-parking, homesteading, farming… and plots of land can still be found online for cheaper than expected prices (depending on where you’re looking to buy).
But there can be hidden downsides: Land online may not always be what it appears. Make sure you visit the area before purchasing, in order to make sure it’s up to your standards.
Also, do your due diligence and look at the local laws: Some sellers are happy to take your money, but will conveniently forget to tell you that RV parking is prohibited on the land, homesteading is illegal, or they’ll require you to install a water well and connect to the cities electrical grid- possibly costing you thousands of more dollars on top of the selling price.
Beyond these hidden dangers, owning your own land is still at the heart of the American Dream: Live as you want to live. There’s no greater freedom then that.