RV parking rules in Deschutes County

Deschutes County RV parking at a glance

Eligible acreage and home

The listed zones are RR-10, MUA-10, UAR-10, SR-2½ and WTZ. A lot generally needs at least two acres, or five acres in the mapped South County area, and cannot be in an urban reserve. The primary dwelling must be the owner’s residence, with no rented portion. No guest house, extra dwelling, medical temporary residence or other occupied RV may remain alongside this route.

RV position, pad and fire access

Meet district setbacks, stay at least 10 feet from every structure and within 100 feet of the primary home. The RV pad may be at least four inches of compacted gravel, 3.5 inches of concrete or three inches of asphalt. Any shelter must be entirely open on at least two sides. Maintain the required 20-foot noncombustible-groundcover area or approved fire-district alternative, and obtain emergency-access confirmation.

Utilities, rental and mobility

Provide approved sewage disposal, electricity and frost-protected water. A wastewater evaluation, water-service confirmation where needed, address assignment, utility permits and other approvals are part of the process. The tenant must own or lease the RV under a written residential rental agreement. Keep a working sink/toilet, DOT title, highway readiness, wheels or jacking system, quick-disconnect utilities and no permanently attached additions.

Approval before occupancy

Neither dwelling may be used for vacation occupancy, and the application requires a recorded restrictive covenant. Obtain planning and any septic, access, electrical and plumbing permits before establishing the use. Separate temporary RV allowances exist, but the rental-dwelling route is not a short-stay camping or vacant-lot permission.

Who to contact for your setup

Ask Deschutes County Planning or Code Enforcement to confirm jurisdiction, the actual parcel or road, vehicle classification, position, duration and intended use. Obtain the required road, building, electrical, plumbing or wastewater approvals before relying on a parking exception. Easements, HOA rules and leases remain separate. Start with the official rule or permit guidance.

Use the Deschutes County parking checker to organize the starting conditions. The checker cannot approve a parcel, a variance or an unverified exception.

Official sources reviewed November 6, 2026

• Deschutes County RV Rental Dwelling Application, Rev. 5/26

  Four-page current application supplies acreage, setbacks, pad dimensions, open-sided shelter, services, covenant and vehicle conditions.

• Deschutes County RV Rental Dwelling Checklist

  Official process and jurisdiction boundaries, including utility and septic permits required before occupancy.

A review date records when we checked these sources. The notes above explain any use of older code editions or limits on access to the full source; an address-specific local-government determination may still be required. Read our research method.