Can You Rent an RV On Your Property?

If you don't use your RV often, you can get disheartened seeing it incur maintenance expenses. Being able to rent it out can make owning an RV profitable.

Renting and parking rules around RVs are so complicated that the average RV owner can unknowingly break the rules by storing their vehicle on their own property. For those looking to use their vehicle as a rental unit on their own property, it is essential to know the legal standing of such an arrangement.

You can rent an RV on your property in states that allow full-time RV living and do not object to parking a stationed RV on your own land. Unfortunately, most states have restrictions that make such an arrangement illegal. Therefore, you should approach your local municipality for a relevant permit.

This article covers the information you need before trying to rent your RV on your property, including the legal status of such arrangements in different states.

You will also discover what challenges other than state laws having RV tenants can lead to. So bookmark this post and continue reading.

‍‍‍Problems With Renting an RV on Your Property

RVs stand at a tricky legal definition where they are sometimes treated as mobile homes and, in other instances, seen as vehicles. The obstacles to parking an RV or renting it out lie in the zoning laws of different states.

Moreover, there are regulations nested within lower levels of government and overseeing organizations, making the RV renting a matter that the county, city, and even Home Owner's Association can interfere with. The main obstacle, however, is the state's view on parking your RV on your property and renting your RV.

The following table then provides insight into whether you can legally park an RV on your property, if it is legal to rent it out, and the possible things to consider.

Steps to Take When Renting an RV on Your Property

If you want to store your RV on your property and use it as a rental unit, here are the steps you need to follow.

• Step 1 - Check the State Laws - Plenty of online resources like this post can help you pinpoint your state's exact position on parking your RV and living in it full-time. In case you can do both in your state, you can rent the RV.
• Step 2 - Find out the stay limits from the local municipality - This ensures that you're protected by the state law as well as the city rules and regulations. In some cases, you need to apply for a permit, and in others, you have to move your RV every few days.
• Step 3 - Check HOA regulations (if applicable) - If you live in a gated community, your HOA might have objections to full-time RV parking. Remember, not all of HOAs' conditions are legally enforceable.
• Step 4 - Decide between full-time or short-term rental - This is the final stage of renting your RV, which is quite crucial. Fulltime rental provides you with a predictable stream of income but is not supported by most states. Short-term rental is legally valid in most states but leads to inconsistent income.
• Step 5 - Contact a real estate agent or create an Airbnb account - A real estate agent can help you get a full-time tenant, while an Airbnb account can put your RV in front of people looking to rent a small unit for a short stay.

What to Do if Your State Doesn’t Allow Full-Time RV Parking?

If you live in a state that prevents you from storing your RV in your backyard, you can rent the vehicle on a campground. Please note that this can be a risky arrangement if you opt to pay for a 'full-time hook-up.' Full-time hook-up refers to having your RV hooked to power and water supply full-time.

If the RV park charges you regardless of whether someone stays in your camper, you can end up paying more to the park owner than you get in rent. If you can negotiate a deal where you pay the park a percentage of what you make as an RV landlord, you are less likely to incur net financial losses.

What to Do if Your State Doesn’t Allow Full-Time RV Living?

In case you can park your RV full-time but can't live in it perpetually, you have the opportunity to rent it out for short stays. Airbnb is an excellent option for such rentals. As long as you move your RV in the required period, you can have a short stay tenant live as a guest.

Moreover, you don't need to draw up contracts as Airbnb manages payment via escrow, so you can get your money on time without running into cash payment problems. Please note that

Final Thoughts

You can rent an RV on your property in most states, where you can store your RV on your own land. Fulltime RV living is prohibited in most states, though. So, the most convenient form of renting is through short-stay rentals on Airbnb. For long stays, you must be really sure if the RV can be used as a permanent dwelling, especially on your own property. If your own land is not deemed legally appropriate for such an arrangement, you can always use an RV camp.