Jurisdiction and research scope
Kittery town limits only. Publisher edition December 8, 2025, full current §§16.9.1–16.9.4, private-campsite conditions §16.9.4D(2)(b), and actual general RV/private-campsite definitions in §16.3.2 read October 22, 2026. The source reports no unincorporated New Laws. Shoreland overlays and base zoning both apply; the floodplain-only 400-square-foot definition is not substituted for the general RV definition.
Research by Can I Park My RV?Official municipal sources; access limits shown belowEditorial standard
Kittery RV parking at a glance
| Location or use | What to check |
|---|---|
| Area and approval | Town-confirmed existing-lot/30,000 sq ft overlay-area density, plus principal-use minimum dimensions separately. |
| Siting | At least 75 ft horizontally from relevant water-body/stream high-water line or coastal/freshwater wetland upland edge; satisfy base-zone requirements too. |
| Equipment | One RV per campsite; gravel pad allowed, permanent foundations and attached noncanopy structures restricted. |
| Annual placement | At most 120 days in the ordinary campsite route; longer placement needs residential-structure review. |
Which private campsites may use this route?
An individual private campsite is separate from a campground and serves one group of at most ten people with no more than one RV. In the Shoreland, Stream or Resource Protection Overlay Zone, the source states one campsite per existing lot or 30,000 square feet of overlay lot area, whichever is less. A principal use or structure needs its dimensional area separately.
What setback and clearing rules apply?
Campsite placement, including the RV or tent platform, needs at least 75 feet horizontally from the normal high-water line of water bodies or tributary streams, or from the upland edge of coastal or freshwater wetlands. Resource Protection clearing for the RV, tent or similar shelter is capped at 1,000 square feet. Base-zone requirements also apply.
What counts as an RV and how may it be placed?
The general definition covers a registered vehicle or attachment designed to be towed, hauled or driven for temporary living accommodations. The floodplain-specific 400-square-foot definition is separate. One RV may use the campsite; gravel pads are allowed, permanent RV foundations are prohibited and only a canopy may be attached.
What sewage evidence is needed?
Each campsite requires a written sewage disposal plan stating the proposed method and location, approved by the local Plumbing Inspector. Disposal off site also needs written permission from the receiving facility or landowner. A self-contained tank does not remove that written-plan condition.
What changes beyond 120 days per year?
An RV, tent or similar shelter may not remain on site more than 120 days per year unless all residential-structure requirements have been met, including compliant subsurface wastewater disposal and/or public sewage service. Count placement, including unoccupied periods. A longer-stay residential route needs separate review.
Does meeting the checklist issue an approval?
The chapter requires the applicable municipal review and current approvals; the base zone and overlays operate together and the stricter conflicting provision controls. A campsite answer is not ordinary home storage or street parking permission. New utility service to a structure in shoreland zones also has its own municipal authorization requirements.
Who to contact for your setup
Ask the governing municipality about the exact address, equipment, activity and full proposed dates. For an approval route, retain the issued authorization and its conditions.
Use the Kittery parking checker to organize the starting conditions. The checker cannot approve a parcel, a variance or an unverified exception.
Official sources reviewed October 22, 2026
- Kittery §16.9.4D(2)(b) — private shoreland campsites
Publisher edition December 8, 2025. Full current Chapter 16.9, including the December 9, 2024 added shoreland standards, required review/approval, conflict rule, campsite clauses [1]–[7] and utility provisions read October 22, 2026.
- Kittery §16.3.2 — general RV and individual-private-campsite definitions
Publisher edition December 8, 2025. General RV definition requires a registered vehicle/attachment for temporary accommodations; individual private campsite: one group, at most ten individuals and one RV. The separate floodplain definition is context-specific.
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 town determination may still be required. Read our research method.
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