As more and more people discover the appeal of the road each year, living in your RV full time in Idaho is becoming more popular at the same rate. You’re sure to have questions about this practice, so keep reading to find out the answers to many of your questions.
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 Idaho?
Yes, you can live in an RV in Idaho, but there are plenty of stipulations. First, you have to own your own land, and it has to be at least an acre in size. Second, you can only have one RV per permanent structure on the property. You also have to have three things: a water connection, a sewer connection, and the ability to cook in the RV. Unlike other states, you may not house your RV in a structure on your property. It must be parked either adjacent to or behind the permanent structure that you have on the property. To live in your RV full time, you have to be an Idaho resident or a full-time caregiver for an Idaho resident, and you cannot live in the RV from November 30 until March 15.
Rules and Regulations for RVing in Idaho
There are state and municipal laws that govern RV living full time in Idaho. Of course, some of these are different as you move from city to city or from town to town, so checking with the authorities in the city or town where you plan to settle is a good idea.
RV Parking Laws
There is no centralized state policy for RV parking in Idaho. Each municipality has its own rules. Idaho Falls, for example, prohibits not only street parking for more than a few hours but also full-time RV living anywhere but in an RV park, resort, or campground. That means that you can’t even do so on your own property. It would be advisable to check with the local police in any town or city you wish to visit to find out the applicable regulations.
Trailer Towing Laws
Idaho allows triple towing as long as the combined length of all three vehicles does not exceed 75 feet. Safety chains are required, and the trailers have to have their own braking systems that are rated the same as the weight of the trailer. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, there is no data regarding riding in the back of a travel trailer or fifth wheel. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the relevant authorities in Idaho to ask.
Boondocking Regulations
Nearly two-thirds of Idaho is federal public land, meaning that there are myriad places to boondock in the state. The general rules for National Forests and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management apply. That means that you can only stay for 14 days within any 28-day period before you have to move to a new location that is 30 or more miles away from the previous location. Some public lands are free to use, while others charge nominal fees. Check with the campgrounds, United States Forest Service, or BLM for further information.
RV Insurance Requirements
When it comes to liability insurance in Idaho, any RV with its own motor must be insured. Anything that you tow will be covered under the motorhome’s liability insurance. If you want comprehensive coverage, such as acts of God, theft, or fire insurance, then you’d have to buy a separate policy for that for your towed RV. You can pick other kinds of coverage, as well, but they’re not required.
Rules for Camping on Public Land
The rules for camping on public land in Idaho are the same as they are in other states because the applicable jurisdiction is federal. That means that camping on BLM land or in one of Idaho’s seven national forests is allowed for 14 days in any month. Thereafter, you’d have to move to a different location that is more than 30 miles from your previous location.
Full-Time RVing in Kellogg
The entire State of Idaho has the restriction in place that you may not live in your RV outside of an RV park, campground, or resort from November 30 in one year until March 15 of the next year. So, even if you live in an RV on your own property, you’ll still have to move to a private campground on November 29. As far as the perks of living in Kellogg go, you can explore the city’s museums and even take a tour of a gold mine. If you’re a beer connoisseur, then you can experience the annual microbrew festival every August.
RVing in Kellogg FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Kellogg?
No, you may not. You may park on your own property from March 16 until November 29 every year, and you may always stay in designated RV resorts, campgrounds, and parks.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Kellogg?
Yes, you may park your RV on your own property, as long as it’s larger than one acre, from March 16 until November 29 every year.
Full-Time RVing in Boise
As with all other cities in Idaho, you may not live in your RV on your own property from November 30 in the current year until March 15 of the following year. You have the option of either moving from place to place on public land every 14 days, always traveling at least 30 miles to the next place, or getting a long-term campsite in an RV campground, park, or resort. Boise is the capital of Idaho, so you can enjoy exploring the downtown core with its shops and eateries. Outside the city, there are whitewater rafting trips and hiking during the spring, summer, and early fall. Once the snow flies, you can enjoy skiing and snowshoeing.
RVing in Boise FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Boise?
In Boise, you can park your RV on a street for up to 72 hours. For longer than that, you need a permit from the city. If you move from one location to another in Boise, unless you move more than 600 feet, you are still considered to be in the same place for purposes of “up to 72 hours in the same place.”
Can I live in my RV on my property in Boise?
You are allowed to live in your RV on your own property in Boise from March 16 until November 29 every year.
How to Live in an RV Full time
When you decide to live in an RV full time, there are a few things you have to do to get started. First, you have to set up what’s known as a “domicile,” which is a state that will count as your permanent address even if you don’t live there. People and businesses will send your mail to your domicile address, which will then forward it to you at an address near where you’re staying. Almost all of the time, too, you’ll have to have your driver’s license issued by the state you choose as your domicile.
Your domicile state will also be where you vote by absentee ballot in all elections for which you qualify as an absentee voter. Therefore, don’t forget to register in time for the next election. Should you have further questions, contact the Bureau of Voter Registration in the state you choose as your domicile.
If you have children, then you’ll need to see to their schooling. You can home-school them, or you can enroll them in a school near where you’re staying. Remember that if you move to a new location in a different school district at any time during the school year, then your children will have to attend a new school.
When it comes to healthcare, the usual practice is to find a family doctor in your domicile state. Then, when you need routine medical care like annual physical exams, prescription refills, or vaccinations, you can return to that doctor for the care. It’s also wise to have good health insurance while you’re living in your RV full time. If you or a member of your family needs to go to the hospital, then you’ll be covered where you’re staying.
The last thing you must do is to make sure that you have an income. Remote jobs are quite popular with RVers because they’re usually not in one place for more than a few months at any one time. It’d be a great idea to have a powerful mobile hotspot with unlimited usage so that you can perform your remote duties even if there’s no public Wi-Fi at any place you set up your RV. Other options include working for the campground where you’re staying, generally trading work for rental fees, or finding seasonal work with a company in that area.
As far as banking goes, you can do most of it through apps on your phone or online on your laptop. It’s generally smart to pick a bank with branches in as many places as possible so that you always have physical access to those few things that require you to enter a branch.
Types of Properties You Can Live on Full Time in an RV
• Campgrounds: You can choose a long-term campground to park your RV for an extended period.
• Private property: It’s also allowed at certain times during the year to park your RV and live full time on private property in Idaho.
RVing in Idaho FAQs
Can you sleep in an RV while traveling through the US?
In most states, you can sleep in rest areas or on the side of the road while traveling across the country. In Idaho, you can stay for 10 hours on interstate highways.
What is the new RV law in Idaho?
The latest edition of the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles website has an RV registration calculator that will figure out how much it’ll cost you to register your RV in the State of Idaho.
Is it legal to live in an RV full time in Idaho?
Yes, it is legal, but there are certain restrictions.
Can I park my RV on my property in Idaho?
Yes, you may park on your own land in your RV.
Can I buy land and live in an RV in Idaho?
Except during the period of November 30 to March 15, you may live in an RV on your own land in Idaho.
How long can I stay at an RV Park in Idaho?
Idaho doesn’t place any restrictions on private RV parks that govern how long you’re allowed to stay there. The parks themselves will have rules about it, however.
Does full-time RV living in Idaho sound like a good thing to you? If you’re not sure, then renting an RV is a great way to figure out if “life on the road” is for you or not. For your “test drive,” planning an itinerary is half the fun, so get packed up and ready to go!
