You probably have questions about living in your RV full time in Delaware, but fear not, they’ll nearly all be answered. You’ll read about parking laws, insurance requirements, and if you’re allowed to live in your RV full time.
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 Delaware?
You are not allowed to live in your RV full time in Delaware unless it’s in a designated RV campground, park, or resort. There are no federal lands, such as national forests or areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management. You’re not even allowed to live in an RV full-time on your own property or someone else’s.
Rules and Regulations for RVing in Delaware
All of the state’s private RV campgrounds, resorts, and parks in Delaware are available to you. Each of these will have its own rules. As far as municipal laws go, you have to follow those as well as the state’s laws.
RV Parking Laws
Delaware parking laws are comprehensive. For example, you may not park closer than 15 feet to a fire hydrant, 20 feet to a crosswalk, or 30 feet to a stop sign. You also may not stop on the roadway or shoulder when it’s practical to stop somewhere off the roadway.
Trailer Towing Laws
In Delaware, your drawbar can’t be longer than 15 feet. You have to cover the safety chains with a red flag or cloth that must be at least 12 inches square. Triple towing is disallowed. All trailers must have their own brakes that are rated at least the same as the weight of the trailer. Your tail lamp must be visible at a distance of at least 500 feet.
Boondocking Regulations
Delaware boondocking is limited to a list of seven campgrounds that permit it. These are private campgrounds, so they’re allowed to set their own rules as far as how long you are allowed to stay there.
RV Insurance Requirements
All motorized vehicles in Delaware must have at least liability insurance. If your trailer is not motorized, then it’ll be covered under the insurance on the vehicle you’ll use to tow your toy hauler, fifth wheel, or travel trailer. Collision insurance, along with fire, theft, and other forms of coverage, are extra on trailers.
Rules for Camping on Public Land
There are only five state parks in Delaware, and these are the only public lands upon which you may camp with your RV.
Full-Time RVing in Dover
The perks of full-time RVing in Dover include visiting a selection of museums, going whale watching, and cheering your favorite driver at the Dover Motor Speedway. The Speedway grounds provide RV camping opportunities too.
RVing in Dover FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Dover?
No, you may not park anywhere on the streets of Dover, which follows the parking laws of the state of Delaware.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Dover?
No, you may not live in an RV on your property because Delaware state law forbids it.
Full-Time RVing in Wilmington
The RV campgrounds in and near Wilmington give you legal places to stay in the area. The perks of full-time RVing in Wilmington include being able to explore botanical gardens, attending a performance at the opera house, and encouraging your kids to explore the children’s museum.
RVing in Wilmington FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Wilmington?
No, it’s not allowed to park just anywhere. According to Wilmington’s parking regulations, you can park at a meter for up to two hours at the rate of 6 minutes per quarter. You also may not park closer than 15 feet to a fire hydrant, 20 feet to a crosswalk, or 30 feet to a traffic light or sign.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Wilmington?
No, you’re not allowed to live in an RV on your property in Wilmington because the State of Delaware enacted a law that said RVs cannot be dwellings.
How to Live in an RV Full Time
Full-time RV living takes forethought, planning, and a willingness to be flexible. Laws change, after all, and you might have to also change your plans suddenly to comply with new federal, state, or municipal rules. In any event, the place to start is to set up Delaware as your “domicile.” That’s where you set up a post office box to receive both direct mail and forwarded mail from your previous home in another state. You’ll also conduct business as a resident of Delaware and not of any previous state where you lived.
Delaware will issue you your driver’s license and any other forms of identification. You’ll also be a citizen of Delaware when it comes to voting, so don’t forget to register in enough time to qualify for the next election. If you take a trip elsewhere during the time when an election happens, then you’ll have to vote by absentee ballot.
If you have children, then school is important for their learning and development. Many RVers choose to home-school their children. Others register them in schools near where they’re staying. Remember that you have to re-register them if you move to an RV campground in a different school district. Planning ahead, therefore, is key to maintaining a sense of stability in your children’s lives.
You must also look into your family’s healthcare. One popular way that RVers manage their healthcare is to find a general practitioner (GP) in Delaware and then rely on that person for mundane care like prescription refills and physical exams. For this reason, it’s smart to find that GP before you arrive in Delaware to make sure that someone is available to accept new patients. When you need the emergency room or someone needs to be hospitalized, it’s a good idea to have the best health insurance you can afford so that you can avail yourself of medical treatment where you currently are.
If you’re independently wealthy, then you won’t need to worry about a job. If, however, you’re like most of the rest of the population, then you’ll need to find a source of income on the road. A lot of the time, you can telecommute using a laptop. You’ll need a mobile hotspot with good bandwidth and unlimited usage so that you can perform your duties efficiently. Some people also do odd jobs around the campgrounds where they stay. The idea is to trade that work for daily, monthly, or even seasonal rental fees. Others find seasonal work at businesses near where they stay.
When it comes to managing your money while on the road, you’ll need banking apps that you can run from either a mobile device or your laptop, however, you’ll have to go into a branch for one reason or another, and in those cases, it’s smart to be a customer of a bank that has branches in as many states as possible.
Types of Properties You Can Live on Full Time in an RV
• Long-term campgrounds: These are the only places in Delaware where you are allowed to stay in your RV for an extended period of time.
RVing in Delaware FAQs
Can you sleep in an RV while traveling through the U.S.?
When traveling the country, most states have rest areas where you can pull over and sleep. There are two rest areas in Delaware: the Smyrna Rest Area and the Biden Welcome Center. Each of these provides 24-hour services.
What is the new RV law in Delaware?
The governor of Delaware signed House Bill 9 into law on September 5, 2024. The law says that all vehicles, including RVs, must produce zero emissions by the year 2040.
Is it legal to live in an RV full time in Delaware?
Other than in an RV park, campground, or resort, you cannot live permanently in your RV.
Can I park my RV on my property in Delaware?
No, you may not. State law prohibits using RVs as dwellings on private property.
Can I buy land and live in an RV in Delaware?
No, you aren’t allowed to use your RV as a residence on land you own in Delaware.
How long can I stay at an RV Park in Delaware?
The state doesn’t mandate how long you’re allowed to stay in a campground with your RV. Each campground, however, sets its own rules. The best thing to do is to call the campground before you arrive to find out how long you can stay. Some campgrounds offer rates for an entire season or even for a year.
Although Delaware prohibits RV living full time, you can still enjoy RVing in Delaware in private RV campgrounds, some of which offer long-term stays for a month or even a season. When you arrive at your campsite, the first thing you should do after checking in is to set up your RV safely by leveling it, chocking the wheels, and connecting the hookups properly. You may be apprehensive about living in an RV full time. Fortunately, you can rent an RV to “take it for a test run” to see how the life appeals to you.
