Permits for RVs and trailers

1. Overview

If you need to park an RV, truck camper or trailer on the street temporarily, you must get a free permit to avoid receiving a citation.

The permit process depends on whether the RV or trailer is registered to a Lakewood address or belongs to an out-of-town visitor.

  • Lakewood residents with RVs or trailers registered to a Lakewood address: Use the online permit system, call or visit City Hall for assistance.
  • Lakewood residents hosting out-of-town visitors: Request a visitor permit before the RV or trailer is parked on the street. Out-of-town visitor permits cannot be processed through the regular online parking permit system.

The citation for parking a Lakewood RV, truck camper or trailer without a valid permit is $48 per day. The citation for parking an out-of-town RV or trailer without a valid permit is $83 per day.

Use the table of contents at the top of this page to jump to the section you need, including Lakewood resident permits, out-of-town visitor permit requests and private-property parking guidance.

2. General parking rules

All vehicles, including RVs and trailers with a permit, must follow city parking regulations, including:

  • No street parking during street-sweeping hours
  • Current vehicle registration
  • Maximum 72-hour parking limit

3. Lakewood residents: RVs and trailers registered to a Lakewood address

Lakewood residents may request a free permit for an RV, truck camper or trailer registered by the DMV to a Lakewood address, not including a post office box.

Use the online permit system

Lakewood residents may use the online permit system to request permits for RVs and trailers registered by the DMV to a Lakewood address, not including a post office box.

Out-of-town visitor permits cannot be processed through this system. See the out-of-town visitor permit section below for that request process.

Request an RV or trailer parking permit online (opens in a new tab)

The online permit system is provided through a third-party vendor and may not be fully accessible. If you need assistance requesting a permit, contact the Public Information Office at 562-866-9771, ext. 2140. For accessible format requests, email ADAService1@lakewoodca.gov.

How to use the online permit system

Log in to the system or create a new profile.

  • Reset Password: If you had a permit in the previous system, reset your password to access your account.
  • Register Now: To set up a new account, enter your name and email address. You will receive an email with a link to confirm your account. After confirming your account, continue the steps to enter and confirm your address.

From the dashboard, follow the directions to:

  • Add or remove a vehicle
  • Obtain permits now or later
  • Add or cancel a permit
  • Change permit dates

Note: For Lakewood-registered RVs or trailers, you can obtain up to three permits for consecutive days. One permit equals one day. This process is only for Lakewood-registered RVs and trailers.

The automated system will confirm your permit by email.

Apply by phone

Lakewood residents may apply for a permit by phone by calling 562-866-9771, ext. 2140.

Apply in person

You may also request a permit in person at the Public Information Department at Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Ave.

Bring your driver’s license or California ID for proof of residency and your RV or trailer registration. All documents must be current and valid.

Rules for Lakewood resident RV and trailer permits

Please review these rules before you apply for your free permit:

  • Only a Lakewood resident can obtain a permit, and only for vehicles registered by the DMV to a Lakewood address, not including a post office box.
  • Each on-street parking permit is valid for one day. Permits can be combined for up to three consecutive days.
  • Typically, an owner will need one or more permits to park while setting up a recreational vehicle for a trip and one or more permits while preparing the vehicle for storage at the end of the trip.
  • A one-day gap must separate the last day of three consecutive days of permitted parking and the first day of another day of permitted parking.
  • An RV, truck camper or trailer can receive up to 52 one-day parking permits per year.
  • Only two permits for on-street parking will be issued for any one address at any one time.
  • For owners of more than one recreational vehicle, the maximum number of permits issued at any one address is 104.

Resident RV and trailer permit FAQs

What is the purpose of the permit?

The purpose of the permit is to allow the temporary on-street parking of RVs and trailers that are registered to a Lakewood address.

Who can request a permit?

The permit must be obtained by a Lakewood resident.

What is the fee?

The permits are free.

How long is a permit for?

Permits are issued for one day and may be combined for up to three consecutive days. After three consecutive days, the vehicle must be moved off the street for one day. Permits are valid starting at midnight on the date issued and expire at midnight that day.

How many permits can I get?

Permits may be issued for a maximum of 52 days per vehicle per year, and a household is allotted up to two vehicles.

Can the permits be consecutive?

A minimum of one day must separate the last day of one permit and the first day of another. This prevents consecutive permits from becoming long-term vehicle storage.

How many of my RVs and trailers can get permits?

The system will allow you to get a permit for a maximum of two vehicles at the same address. Only two permits will be issued at any one time, but owners of multiple RVs or trailers can park any of them with a valid permit as long as no more than two are parked at one time.

Where can I park the vehicle?

The vehicle may park anywhere in Lakewood as long as it is registered to a Lakewood residence. The owner must comply with all applicable local and state parking regulations, including street sweeping and California’s 72-hour parking law. The vehicle must also be currently registered. Failure to observe these regulations may result in a citation and cancellation of any issued permits.

Can time unused on a permit be transferred to another vehicle?

Time remaining on a two- or three-day permit cannot be transferred from one RV to another.

Do I need a permit just to unload?

No permit is needed for the active loading and unloading of your RV. Apply for a permit if you expect to leave your RV parked and unattended.

What’s the penalty for parking without a valid permit?

RVs and trailers parked on city streets will be cited if the owner does not have a valid on-street parking permit.

4. Out-of-town visitors: RVs and trailers not registered to a Lakewood address

If an out-of-town friend or family member is visiting your Lakewood home in an RV or trailer, you must request a free permit for them before the vehicle is parked on the street.

Out-of-town visitor permits cannot be processed through the regular online parking permit system. The request must be made by the Lakewood resident in front of whose home the RV or trailer will be parked.

Request an out-of-town visitor permit

Use the online form below to begin the process to request an out-of-town RV or trailer parking permit. City staff will review your submission and contact you to let you know whether your request is approved. Submitting the form does not approve or issue a permit.

Before submitting the form, please note that the RV or trailer must have current registration, must be connected to the Lakewood address listed on the request and must be moved during street-sweeping hours and at least every 72 hours. Read the Rules section below for full details.

Request an out-of-town RV or trailer parking permit (opens in a new tab)

To finish the application, you will need to provide proof of residency and current vehicle registration. In most cases, this step is completed in person so staff can verify the documents.

If you prefer to submit your request in person, staff can assist you. Please bring your driver’s license or California ID and the RV or trailer registration to the Public Information Department at City Hall. All documents must be current and valid.

If you are unable to visit City Hall because of a disability, or if you need help completing this form or providing required documents, contact ADAService1@lakewoodca.gov or call 562-866-9771, ext. 2140. Staff can discuss available assistance or reasonable modifications. Additional accessibility assistance is available at ADACoordinator@lakewoodca.gov.

Rules for out-of-town visitor RV and trailer permits

Please review these rules before requesting an out-of-town RV or trailer parking permit:

  • This permit is for temporary on-street parking of RVs and trailers that are not registered to a Lakewood address.
  • The request must be made in advance by the Lakewood resident in front of whose home the RV or trailer will be parked.
  • The RV or trailer must be operable and have current, legal registration.
  • The RV or trailer must have a connection to the Lakewood address, such as a friend or relative visiting from out of the area, a borrowed vehicle being used by a Lakewood resident or a recently purchased vehicle whose registration has not yet been changed.
  • The RV or trailer must be parked at the Lakewood address listed on the permit.
  • A maximum of 30 days of on-street parking per household per calendar year can be permitted, in increments of 1 to 14 days per permit.
  • After 14 days, the RV or trailer must be moved off the street for at least 1 day.
  • The permit is valid only for the vehicle listed on the permit and cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
  • The RV or trailer must be moved during street-sweeping hours. Failure to move the vehicle during street sweeping will result in a citation and cancellation of the permit.
  • The RV or trailer must comply with all applicable local and state parking regulations, including California’s 72-hour parking law.
  • Permits are required for RVs and trailers with disabled placards or plates, and those vehicles must also be moved during street-sweeping hours.
  • Commercial vehicles are not eligible for this permit.

5. Guidelines for parking RVs on private property

RV parking regulations are determined by your specific property layout. Not all properties meet the requirements for RV parking.

For detailed guidance on parking an RV at your residence, contact the Public Information Office at 562-866-9771, ext. 2140, or service1@lakewoodca.gov.

RV and trailer parking help

For questions about RV or trailer parking permits, contact the Public Information Office.

Permit questions

Call 562-866-9771, ext. 2140 during City Hall business hours.

Accessibility assistance

If you need permit information in an accessible format or need help with the permit process, contact ADAService1@lakewoodca.gov or call 562-866-9771, ext. 2140.

City Hall

5050 Clark Ave.
Lakewood, CA 90712

City Hall is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on alternating Fridays.

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