If you are moving to Arizona with an RV, travel trailer or boat, start your home search with parking, not paint colors. Look for an RV gate or RV garage, enough side-yard width and height for your rig, and HOA rules that allow it. Many Valley HOAs limit RV and trailer parking, so no-HOA areas and larger lots deserve a close look.

RV and boat homes at a glance

Features to filter for: RV gate, RV garage, extra-deep or tall garage, side-yard access, RV hookup
On my search today: 226 active homes in 10 Valley cities list an RV garage
HOAs: many restrict where RVs, boats and trailers can park; read the rules before you offer
Lakes: Lake Pleasant in the northwest Valley, plus the Salt River Project lakes east of Phoenix such as Saguaro, Canyon and Bartlett
Registration: check Arizona MVD and Arizona Game and Fish for current vehicle and watercraft rules

See all homes Call Terry: 602-483-4665

RV gate, RV garage or side-yard parking?

Listings use a few phrases that mean very different things:

RV gate. A gate wide enough for a rig to pull into the side or back yard. Check the actual width, the slab or gravel behind it, and whether the turn from the street works with your length.
RV garage. An extra-tall, extra-deep garage bay. This is the gold standard for keeping a coach or boat out of the sun. Measure the door height and depth against your rig, including roof air units.
RV parking or access. Sometimes just a pad beside the house. It may or may not have a gate, power or water.
RV hookup. Usually a power outlet sized for an RV, and sometimes a sewer cleanout. Ask an electrician to confirm what is there.

When I tour for clients with an RV, I bring a tape measure. Gate width, door height, overhangs, the slope of the driveway and the distance to the neighbor's wall all matter.

HOA rules on RVs, boats and trailers

This is where most RV owners get surprised. Many Valley HOAs do not allow RVs, boats or trailers to be parked in driveways or on the street beyond short loading periods, and some ban them in side yards too unless they are behind a gate and below the wall height. Every community writes its own rules, so I read the CC&Rs and rules for every home we consider before you make an offer. You also receive the association documents during escrow, and that is your chance to confirm.

Some master-planned communities offer RV storage lots for residents, often with a waiting list. If you are looking at a community with one, ask about availability before you count on it.

Looking at no-HOA neighborhoods

If you want your rig at home, no-HOA neighborhoods and larger-lot areas are worth a look. You will find them in older parts of Phoenix, Mesa and Glendale, and in areas of Queen Creek, Buckeye, Surprise and the north Valley with bigger lots. No HOA does not mean no rules, though. City zoning and county codes can still limit where and how you park, so check with the city for the specific address.

Heat and your RV or boat

The Arizona sun is hard on tires, seals, roofs and upholstery. Covered parking or a garage pays off quickly. If the home has only an open pad, plan for a quality cover or a shade structure, and ask the HOA or city whether a shade structure needs approval. Batteries and tires also wear faster in summer heat, so a shaded spot is worth more than it sounds.

Lakes for boaters

Most Valley boaters split their time between the northwest and east sides of town:

Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Maricopa County describes it as a northwest Valley park offering boating, fishing, swimming and camping, with Scorpion Bay Marina on the lake.
Salt River Project lakes. SRP manages a chain of lakes east of Phoenix, including Saguaro Lake (formed by Stewart Mountain Dam), Canyon Lake (formed by Mormon Flat Dam and the smallest SRP lake) and Bartlett Lake, which SRP describes as set in the heart of Tonto National Forest.

If lake access is your top priority, a home in the northwest Valley or the East Valley can shorten the tow, depending on which lake you use most. Check current lake conditions and closures before each trip.

Registering your RV, trailer and boat

Once you are an Arizona resident, your vehicles and trailers need Arizona titles and registration. My post on new Arizona resident driver license and car registration covers the basics for cars. For boats, check Arizona Game and Fish for current watercraft registration rules.

Financing and assumable loans

Homes with RV garages and big lots often cost more than similar homes without them. If you are a veteran or qualify for FHA, ask me about homes that may have an assumable FHA or VA loan. A qualified buyer can take over some of these loans with the servicer's approval, but you still need to qualify and bring funds for the seller's equity and closing costs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find homes with an RV garage in Arizona?

Filter for RV garage or RV gate in the parking features, then confirm the measurements in person. The See all homes button on this page shows active homes in 10 Valley cities that list an RV garage.

Can I park my RV at my house in Arizona?

It depends on the HOA rules and city codes for that address. Many HOAs restrict RV, boat and trailer parking, so read the rules before you buy.

Are there neighborhoods with no HOA in the Phoenix area?

Yes. Many older neighborhoods and some larger-lot areas have no HOA. City zoning rules still apply.

What lakes near Phoenix allow boating?

Lake Pleasant Regional Park in the northwest Valley offers boating, and the Salt River Project lakes east of Phoenix, such as Saguaro, Canyon and Bartlett, are popular with boaters. Check current conditions before you go.

What size RV gate do I need?

Measure your rig's width, height and turning needs, then compare them with the gate, the side yard and any overhangs. I bring a tape measure to every RV home tour.

Moving with an RV or boat? Call Terry Day at DeLex Realty, 602-483-4665, and I will measure before you fall in love with a house.