RV Parking Crackdowns Spread Across US: San Carlos, Sacramento, and More Cities Tighten Rules

San Carlos City Council is moving toward a full ban on RV street parking after a study session, citing complaints from east-side businesses about lost parking and visual blight. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office reported over 65 RV-related dispatch calls in 2025 and issued 348 citations from Jan 1 to Apr 7, with only 44% paid. Staff will return with formal recommendations after further outreach to business owners and community groups.

The Sacramento City Council is set to consider a ban on overnight parking and sleeping in vehicles at several high-traffic parks. The proposal aims to reduce trash and maintenance costs, aligning with the mayor's six-point homelessness plan that includes a staffed safe-parking site and tiny-home micro-communities as alternatives. The council may direct staff to draft an ordinance, with public comment allowed at the upcoming meeting.

The Sacramento City Council is set to consider a proposal this week that would ban overnight parking from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. at McKinley Park, Winner's Circle Park, and William Land Park. Officials say the measure aims to clarify park rules and enhance safety. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from residents, with some supporting it for safety reasons and others concerned about restricting access. Enforcement details have not yet been announced.

The city of Doral, Florida, has introduced paid overnight parking (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) on certain residential streets, including spaces in front of homes. City officials cite complaints from residents about a lack of parking, attributed to people from nearby high-rises using free street parking. Registration via a pay-by-phone system costs $40 per month; violators face a $36 fine. Some residents support the measure, citing improved availability, while others criticize it for not being disclosed when they purchased their homes.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors banned RVs and trailers on two streets in Pájaro but postponed enforcement. The ban on Railroad Avenue and Allison Road will only take effect after the county identifies alternative locations for several families, including farmworkers, to relocate.

After months of increased enforcement failed to resolve the problem, Palo Alto's City Council is considering a pilot parking permit program for oversized vehicles. The committee is also convening a regional meeting on April 17 to develop a coordinated response. The number of RVs parked on city streets doubled between 2023 and 2025, with roughly 400 unhoused individuals living in vehicles.