With the rising cost of living and increased homelessness, it’s not too uncommon to see RVs littered around the suburbs of Portland. While it’s not obvious whether these are inhabited or not from the outside, it doesn’t take a logical genius to understand that just a decade ago it was a very rare sight to find an RV parked on the street of a nice suburban neighborhood.

Here are some facts and laws based around living in an RV in Portland:

1. Zoning and Parking:
   • In many cities, including Portland, zoning laws dictate what activities can occur in specific areas. Residential zones are typically reserved for traditional housing structures, not RVs.
   • Parking an RV on a public street in a residential area might be seen as a violation, especially if someone is living in it full-time. The city has regulations that dictate how long a vehicle, including an RV, can be parked in one spot without moving. Exceeding this limit can result in fines or towing.
     • However, Portland does allow each home to host an occupied vehicle. This law makes it difficult to tell which home is “hosting” each RV, making it an almost impossible task for police to know who is camping illegally or not.
   • Some neighborhoods might have additional restrictions or homeowner association rules regarding RV parking.
2. Private Property:
   • Any electrical or sewage hookups must meet city codes, ensuring safety and sanitation.
3. RV Parks and Campgrounds:
   • These are areas specifically zoned and designed for RVs. They provide amenities like electrical hookups, sewage dump stations, and sometimes Wi-Fi or recreational facilities.
   • While they allow for longer stays than parking on the street, many RV parks have limits, often several months, to ensure turnover and availability for other guests.
   • Staying long-term in an RV park usually requires paying a fee, which can vary based on location, amenities, and duration of stay.
4. Sanitation:
   • Living in an RV requires managing waste, including gray water (from sinks and showers) and black water (sewage).
   • Dumping this waste improperly can lead to health hazards and environmental contamination. Cities, including Portland, have strict regulations against such dumping.
     • Fines can range from several hundred dollars for minor infractions to tens of thousands of dollars for significant violations, especially if the dumping results in contamination that requires cleanup.
   • Proper disposal usually involves using designated dump stations, often found at RV parks or some gas stations.
5. Safety Concerns:
   • Concentrations of RVs, especially in urban areas, can lead to concerns about safety, both for those living in the RVs and for the surrounding community.
   • Issues can arise from the use of generators, propane tanks, or makeshift electrical hookups, all of which can pose fire risks. This is a well-known problem in Portland which has a history of vehicle fires.
6. RV Living Popularity:
   • Given the rising housing costs and homelessness issues in many West Coast cities, including Portland, alternative housing solutions like RVs have become more common.