Living in an RV park full-time is legal in most states but requires understanding park rules, securing proper hookups (30/50-amp electric, water, sewer), and obtaining specialized full-time RV insurance. Key considerations include finding parks that allow year-round residency (many limit stays to 6 months), ensuring reliable internet for remote work, budgeting for utilities and park fees, and upgrading your insurance to include emergency expense coverage, HOA liability, and personal property protection—standard RV policies don't cover full-time living risks.
Most states allow full-time RV park living, but local zoning laws and individual park policies determine residency rules—always verify both before committing.
Here's the straight talk: you absolutely can live full-time in an RV park in most places, but the devil's in the details. We've walked first-timers through this process hundreds of times, and the biggest mistakes happen when people assume "legal" means "no restrictions."
State-by-State Reality Check:
The Real Hurdles:
Don't get caught off-guard by insurance requirements either. Understanding full-time RV insurance early in your planning prevents claim denials later.
Industry Growth Context: According to the RV Industry Association's latest economic impact study, the RV industry generates $140 billion annually and supports nearly 680,000 jobs—with a notable shift toward younger owners (median age now 32) who increasingly work remotely while RVing.
Full-time RV living requires 30 or 50-amp electrical service, reliable water with adequate pressure, sewer connections, and increasingly crucial: high-speed internet for remote work.
After helping thousands of full-timers get set up, here's what actually matters:
Essential Hookups:
Internet Reality: Remote workers need reliable internet, not the "Wi-Fi available" that barely loads email. Look for parks with fiber connections or plan for your own cellular setup with signal boosters.
Climate Considerations:
Pro Tip: Visit potential parks during your least favorite season. That gorgeous summer park might be a wind tunnel in winter.
Extended Stay Programs: Major chains like KOA offer structured extended stay programs with full hookups specifically designed for long-term RV residents, including stays longer than 28 days.
Research park policies on stay limits, evaluate community amenities, and visit during the off-season to assess year-round viability before committing to any long-term agreements.
We've seen too many people fall in love with a park in perfect weather, only to discover the reality when the seasons change. Here's how to choose smart:
Essential Questions for Park Management:
Location Factors:
Community Vibe: Visit during both peak and off-season. Some parks are ghost towns in winter, others become overcrowded during peak months. Talk to current residents—they'll tell you what management won't.
Budget Reality Check: Monthly rates vary from $300-1,500+, depending on location and amenities. Factor in electricity costs (often separate), internet fees, and any required insurance or deposits.
Full-time RV insurance includes homeowner-like protections such as emergency expense coverage, HOA liability, and higher personal property limits—standard RV policies exclude these critical coverages.
This is where we see the most expensive mistakes. Standard RV insurance assumes you have a house to go home to. Full-time policies recognize your RV is home.
Key Full-Timer Coverage Additions:
Emergency Expense Coverage: Pays for temporary lodging if your RV becomes uninhabitable—crucial since you don't have another home to return to
HOA/Loss Assessment: Reimburses fees charged by RV park associations for repairs to common areas, up to policy limits
Higher Personal Property Limits: Your RV contains your entire life, not just vacation gear. Full-timer policies reflect this reality.
Extended Personal Liability: Covers injuries that occur in or around your parked RV, similar to homeowner's liability coverage
Medical Payments: Covers medical expenses for visitors injured in your RV, regardless of fault
Adjacent Structures: Covers standalone structures on your RV site like sheds, decks, or carports
The Cost Reality: Full-time RV insurance typically ranges from $1,000-$4,000 annually, depending on RV type and coverage levels. It's more expensive than standard RV insurance but far less than the potential costs if you're underinsured.
Critical: Many insurers require you to declare full-time status upfront. Trying to file a full-timer claim on a standard policy often results in claim denial.
Budget $800-2,000+ monthly for park fees, utilities, and insurance, plus initial setup costs for proper equipment and potential RV modifications for year-round comfort.
Let's break down what full-timers actually spend, based on real data from our customers:
Monthly Recurring Costs:
Setup and Equipment Costs:
State-Specific Considerations:
Hidden Costs:
Ready to make the leap to full-time RV living? Get your full-timer RV insurance quote and protect your new lifestyle with coverage built for life on the road.
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, Mobilitas Insurance Company, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and others.