Camping is a popular activity for many families and individuals in Indiana. It’s nice to pack up the motorhome or motorhome and get away from all the noise of the city and relax for a few days with nothing but the sounds of nature around you. While some choose the more rustic route with a tent, sleeping bag, and bare necessities, others prefer to bring many of the comforts of home with them, including an RV or motorhome that is essentially a house on wheels, complete with recliners, TVs, fireplaces, surround sound systems, and more. With house prices seemingly getting higher all the time, it would actually be cheaper to buy a property and park an RV there. The question is, can you do it legally in Indiana? The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no”.
Is it legal to live in an RV in your backyard in Indiana?
Family enjoying camping vacation in motorhome
Suhre & Associates, an Indianapolis law firm, dove into this question on their website. Here’s what they had to say:
Unfortunately, RVs are not considered permanent residences. Living in a motorhome permanently in your backyard may not be legal. Many states or cities do not recognize recreational vehicles as permanent residences. They are intended for travel or temporary stays. Therefore, homeowners should be careful when living in an RV in their backyard.
That said, they note that RV laws vary from state to state, and zoning laws within the state vary from city to city. Let’s take a look at how the law is written in Indiana.
Indiana Recreational Vehicle (“RV”) Code
According to LawServer.com, Indiana Code 9-13-2-150 defines a recreational vehicle as “a vehicle with or without motive power equipped exclusively for the living quarters of persons traveling on the highways”. The code goes on to say that the term “recreational vehicle” includes the vehicle “is not permanently affixed to real property for use as a permanent dwelling.”
That sounds like a resounding “No” to the original question if you ask me. However, that doesn’t mean the option of living in your motorhome or motorhome on your property is completely out of the question. This means that you cannot use it as a permanent residence.
Like Note from Suhrie & Associates:
Some city and county ordinances allow owners to park an RV in their yard or driveway for a few days. The intention is to allow traveling family or friends to stay in their RV for a few days during their visit.
I imagine, and this is pure speculation on my part, parking your RV or RV in your driveway or yard and living there for a short time while a major home renovation is in course inside your home would be acceptable.
Let’s take a look at the ordinances for a few of our counties here in southern Indiana to see where they stand.
Vanderburgh County/Evansville
According to zoning ordinance 17.12.130recreational vehicles are among the items listed that “cannot be used as lodgings or dormitories in the county except within the boundaries of an approved RV park.”
Within the city limits of Evansville, RVs are permitted on a property for 180 days if a building undergoes/will undergo structural alterations, reconstruction or repairs if the damage “equals or exceeds 40% of the value of the pre-modified building”. If this is/will be the case, it must be included when requesting building permit.
Warrick County
As “allowed by Indiana Code 36-7-4 et seq.”, RVs may be installed at a site for up to 180 daysbut must also “be fully licensed and highway ready”.
Posey County
Code 153.021, Section F states that recreational vehicles “may not be used as a dwelling or dormitory, except when within the boundaries of an approved mobile home park or approved by special exception in the Agricultural District”.
Check with your local government
Despite what county law says, each city and town in these counties may have its own law when it comes to living in a motorhome or motorhome on your property. Although the information above is a good start, prescription codes are often lengthy documents. Your best bet is to check with your county or city office for clarification of the ordinance where you live before going ahead with any plans to set up a permanent campsite in your backyard.
[Source: Suhre & Associates]
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