7 Weird Laws That Most RVers Didn’t Even Know Existed

Most RVers will never get pulled over for towing on a Sunday or fined for emptying biodegradable soap onto the ground. But these are real laws – on the books, enforceable, and still catching people off guard.

We’re not saying you’ll get slapped with a ticket every time. This is more of a heads-up (and a bit of a laugh) at how strange and inconsistent some rules can be from one state or city to the next. Some make sense, and some… well, you’ll see.

Here are seven RV-related laws that are 100% real, even if they don’t always feel like it.

Disclaimer: In no way am I a lawyer, nor is this legal advice.

1. Sleeping in Your RV in Your Own Driveway

You’d think sleeping in your RV on your own property wouldn’t be anyone’s business. However, in many cities, it’s a zoning issue. They’re not coming after folks taking a nap; they’re trying to stop people from turning driveways into full-time RV camps.

In Los Angeles County, for example, the Department of Public Health says RVs, campers, and trailers generally cannot be used for living or sleeping on private property, unless there’s a specific permit or temporary authorization. That means you can store an RV in your driveway, but treating it like a spare bedroom is considered a zoning violation.

Short visits probably won’t get you in trouble, but full-time living, even on your land, could in certain cities.

Related: It’s Illegal to Live in an RV on Your Own Land in These States

2. Dumping Graywater on the Ground

Rinsing off a plate or brushing your teeth might seem harmless, but that “graywater” is often regulated just like sewage, and dumping it on the ground can get you in trouble.

Does everyone follow this to the letter? No. But legally, you’re supposed to handle it like any other wastewater.

3. Texas Sewage Disposal Plans for Long-Term RV Living

If you’re staying in your RV full-time on rural land in Texas, you can’t just park and go about your life. The state wants to know how you’re handling sewage, especially if you’re off-grid.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires anyone installing an on-site sewage system (like a septic) to get a permit and submit a disposal plan. Some counties get more specific. In Parker County, for example, the development rules say you have to show a “reasonably specified plan” for how you’re going to handle human waste, and that plan must meet certain environmental code standards.

This mostly affects people trying to live full-time in an RV on private land, not short-term campers.

4. Open Container Laws in Moving RVs

The engine’s running, your partner is driving, and you’re sipping a beer on the couch in the back of the RV. That’s fine, right? Not always. In many states, open container laws apply to the entire vehicle, not just the front seats.

Under Wisconsin Statutes §346.935, no person may drink alcohol or keep an open container anywhere inside a privately owned motor vehicle while it’s on a public highway. The only exceptions are for passengers in limousines and buses with licensed chauffeurs.

That means if you’re driving through Wisconsin, the law treats the entire RV interior as the passenger compartment. Having a beer on the couch in the back of your Class A is just as illegal as cracking one open in the driver’s seat.

It really depends on the state, however. When in doubt, don’t crack one open until the RV is parked.

5. Propane Rules for Tunnels and Bridges

If you’re hauling propane in your RV (and most of us are), don’t assume you can just roll through every tunnel or over every bridge. Some places flat-out ban it, while others set strict limits on how much you can carry.

Take the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and Fort McHenry Tunnel. Both prohibit propane containers over 10 pounds each, and you can’t have more than two of them at a time. This isn’t a recommendation, it’s a posted restriction you’ll see right before the entrance. You can check that straight from the Maryland Transportation Authority’s official hazardous materials rules.

Over in New York, the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels are even more restrictive. They don’t allow any compressed flammable gas, so that means no propane at all in either direction.

If you’re not sure about a tunnel or bridge on your route, it’s worth checking before you roll up and get turned around. Some RVers have had to backtrack 20 miles after being denied entry.

6. RV Length Limits Vary by State

The size of your rig might be legal in one state and illegal the second you cross the border. That’s because there’s no universal length limit, as it varies.

In California, for example, the law says a vehicle by itself can’t exceed 40 feet (Vehicle Code §35400(a)). The exception for RVs is in §35400(b)(11): a house car, which is what California calls a motorhome, can be up to 45 feet long on interstate highways and certain designated state routes.

When you’re towing, the limit is different. California caps the combined length of a vehicle and trailer at 65 feet. That’s why most RV guides boil it down to “keep your rig under 65 feet.” It would be hard to exceed this length with even the longest truck and travel trailer combo, so you likely have nothing to worry about.

7. Diesel Engine Idling Restrictions

Some states limit how long you can idle a diesel engine, including RVs. The idea is to cut down on air pollution, especially near residential areas and schools.

In California, cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco say you can’t idle a diesel vehicle for more than 5 minutes unless you fall into a very specific exemption (which most RVs don’t). This includes trucks and RVs powered by diesel.

If you like to warm up your rig for 15 minutes before hitting the road, just know that in some places, that could technically get you fined.