Jurisdiction and research scope
Unincorporated Snohomish County, Washington only. Incorporated cities and towns, tribal lands and separately administered public lands require their own governing rules. Official Assistance Bulletin 53 revised January 2025, read November 6, 2026; cites SCC 30.22, 30.91R.040/.050 and 30.65.120. Bulletin is guidance and directs readers to current code for complete legal requirements.
Research by Can I Park My RV?Official municipal sources; access limits shown belowEditorial standard
Snohomish County RV parking at a glance
| Location or use | What to check |
|---|---|
| Driveway / yard | Incidental unoccupied RVs must belong to an occupant of the legally occupied dwelling. Confirm parcel setbacks, access, critical areas and any shoreline or floodplain restrictions. |
| Street / loading | The private-property rule does not authorize parking or camping on a public road. No independent extended loading exception is established by these sources. |
| Sleeping / utilities | One temporary RV, at most 180 days/12 months in listed zones outside floodway; not a primary residence. Floodplain RVs require quick-disconnect utilities, wheels/jacks and no permanent additions; service permits remain separate. |
Storage belongs to the dwelling occupant
Outside the floodway, incidental RV placement has no stated number or duration limit in the bulletin when each RV belongs to an occupant of the property’s legally occupied dwelling. The RVs must be fully licensed and highway-ready. A visitor’s own RV is not covered by that incidental-storage rule merely because the host consents.
Temporary use in listed zones
The bulletin identifies RD, RRT-10, R-5, F, F&R, A-10, SA-1, RC and RU zones. Outside the floodway, one RV as a primary use, or one guest RV used as temporary living quarters, is limited to 180 days in any 12-month period. A guest’s RV cannot generally be stored after the visit under the host’s incidental-use allowance. An RV cannot serve as a primary residence.
Floodplain and seasonal floodway controls
Within the floodplain the RV must remain on wheels or a jacking system, have only quick-disconnect utilities/security devices and no permanently attached additions. During October 1 through March 30, floodway RV use is generally dawn-to-dusk only. The bulletin lists separate exceptions for incidental use, dwelling guests up to 21 days, qualifying farm workers and certain pre-1970 parks with approved evacuation plans. Obtain a parcel-specific floodway decision rather than applying the ordinary 180-day rule there.
Who to contact for your setup
Ask Snohomish 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 Snohomish 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
- Snohomish County Assistance Bulletin 53: Recreational Vehicles
January 2025 guidance separating primary use, incidental storage, guests and floodway/floodplain conditions.
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.
Was this guide helpful?
Anonymous feedback · How we use it