If you’re wondering how to live in an RV full time in Florida, then you’ve come to the right place for answers. Rules, regulations, FAQs, and more will all be addressed in this guide to living in an RV in the Sunshine State.
Please note that this is not an official source of information, and rules and regulations may have changed since the writing of this article. Please always check with your local authorities before making any long-term decisions and if you are unsure of your local laws.
Can You Live in an RV Full Time in Florida?
RV living full time in Florida is legal as long as you connect your camper to utilities and ensure that your trailer is up to code. Unlike some other states, Florida allows its residents to establish RV domiciles in the state.
Rules and Regulations for RVing in Florida
Before you decide to embrace full-time RV living in Florida, you need to know about some of the state’s laws regarding RVing. Where can you park your RV? Are there quality boondocking locations in the state? If so, what are the rules for camping in them? All of these questions and more are relevant to your long-term RVing plans.
RV Parking Laws
According to law in many Florida cities, you can only park one RV at a time on your property. You can’t park your RV in your front yard; you can only park it in your backyard or side yard.
Trailer Towing Laws
When towing your trailer in Florida, you must have functional lights and safety chains. A single trailer can’t be longer than 53 feet, and the combined length of a trailer and its towing vehicle can’t be longer than 65 feet. You must properly register your trailer and display a properly mounted license plate in a visible area. Your towing vehicle and its equipment must be rated at or above the necessary towing capacity of your trailer.
Boondocking Regulations
Plenty of fabulous boondocking areas are located in Florida. All of these boondocking locales have their own rules and regulations. One universal boondocking regulation is the idea of “Leave No Trace,” which states that you must not leave anything behind when you depart your campsite and that you shouldn’t disturb the natural features of your campsite while you’re camping.
RV Insurance Requirements
In Florida, you need RV insurance in the form of property damage liability coverage and personal injury protection. You might also want to consider acquiring bodily injury liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured bodily injury coverage. Your travel trailer doesn’t need to be insured, but your towing vehicle must have personal injury protection and property damage liability coverage.
Full-time RV insurance is an excellent option if you’re planning on RV living full time in Florida. This type of coverage can pay for injuries and medical emergencies that occur while your camper is parked; it might also cover repair fees charged by an RV park or campground.
Rules for Camping on Public Land
Florida is home to some great National Forest lands that are ideal for camping. You can generally only stay in these national forests for no more than 14 days out of a month, so they’re not suitable for full-time RV living. Florida is home to three national forests, however, so you could still manage to spend a lot of time at Apalachicola National Forest, Ocala National Forest, and Osceola National Forest.
In Florida’s national forests, you can’t set up a dispersed campsite near an established campground or water source. You should pick an established dispersed campsite, conceal your visibility from other campers as much as possible, and make sure you’re not camping on private property. When making a campfire, use existing fire areas and downed firewood. Douse your campfire with water and make sure it’s cold before you go.
Full Time RVing in Miami
Miami is known for its beaches, diversity, and nightlife, so it’s a popular RVing destination. If you want to live in this big South Florida city, then you’ll have plenty of RV campgrounds in the area from which to choose. Many of these offer long-term or annual RV options to guests.
RVing in Miami FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Miami?
You can park one motor home or travel trailer on your property in Miami. The camper can be no more than 30 feet long and needs to be properly secured.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Miami?
You can’t use an RV on your property in Miami as a permanent residence. You can use your RV as a temporary living space, but you can’t hook it up to connection lines or use it for storage purposes.
Full Time RVing in Orlando
Orlando is home to a bevy of theme parks and exciting tourist attractions. Multiple RV campgrounds in Orlando and the surrounding areas offer full-time or long-term camping options to guests.
RVing in Orlando FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Orlando?
You can park your RV on your property in Orlando as long as you submit the required documentation and pay the necessary fee.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Orlando?
According to Orange County’s municipal code, you can only live in a recreational vehicle on a temporary basis.
How to Live in an RV Full Time
There are many things you can do to make living in your RV easier. For instance, you can prepare financially for RV living full time by budgeting costs like campground fees, insurance, vehicle payments, and more. You’ll need to establish a domicile, make plans to educate your children if you have any, and get a mobile job to pay the bills.
Another important step is to make sure that you can receive your mail in a timely manner. If you’re going to stay long-term at an RV park, you might be able to have your mail delivered there. You could also arrange for your mail to be delivered to a specific post office near your campground. A forwarding service that could send your mail to you is another possibility. A friend or loved one might also be willing to handle your mail for you while you’re living in your RV.
Be sure to establish residency as well. You’ll need to establish an address in Florida, get a Florida driver’s license, get insurance, and more. You should also register to vote, which you can do by absentee ballot in Florida since no excuse is required to do so.
Types of Properties You Can Live on Full Time in an RV
• Your own property: You can live in your RV in many places in Florida. Local laws may differ with regard to issues like zoning and permanent residency, so be sure to check local rules and regulations before you park your camper for good.
• Long-term campgrounds: You won’t have any problem finding some fantastic long-term campgrounds in the state of Florida. Many of these long-term RV campgrounds allow campers to stay permanently; you might even receive a discount for being an annual resident.
RVing in Florida FAQs
Can you sleep in an RV while driving through the US?
There are plenty of safe places that you can find to sleep on an RV trip through the US. National and state parks often have high-quality RV campgrounds, and BLM land often has nice boondocking options. If you’re just looking for a place to park to get some shut-eye, then you might want to consider big-box retail parking lots at places like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Costco, Sam’s, and Cabela’s. Casinos and truck stops may also allow RVs to park although they might not be as safe as some other options.
What is the new RV law in Florida?
As of July 1, 2023, a new Florida RV law states that HOAs can no longer forbid residents from keeping campers on their properties. Said campers must not be visible from the property’s front and sides, but they can no longer be prohibited outright by HOAs.
Can you live in an RV full time in Florida?
Legally, an RV can be considered a permanent residence as long as it meets the standards of local regulations. Be sure to check a city’s or county’s regulations and laws for full-time RV living before parking your camper there.
Can I park my RV on my property in Florida?
You can park your RV on your property, but not in the front yard. However, both behind and on either side of a house are acceptable parking locations.
Can I buy land and live in an RV in Florida?
There is land in Florida you can buy that’s specifically suitable for RVs.
How long can you stay at an RV park in Florida?
Plenty of RV parks in Florida offer guests permanent lodging options. Many RV parks charge long-term residents by the month, but others offer annual rates for those who wish to stay at least a year.
Can you live in an RV full time in Florida?
Yes, as long as you make sure to abide by all state and local regulations. You should also do your best to ensure the safety of your campsite by making sure your camper is properly leveled and secured. Be sure to store your food securely in order to avoid attracting wildlife and to act calmly if wildlife does approach your campsite.
If you want to experience the ups and downs of RV living full time without buying a camper, then you should consider renting one through RVshare. In Florida, you can rent anything from a modest travel trailer to a luxurious Class A motor home. Once you’ve done so, you can learn how to live in an RV full time while enjoying a new family adventure.