Living in an RV or Car in Seattle: Where to Get Help Before the 2027 Rules Change
Nearly half of King County's unhoused residents live in a vehicle. That can mean an RV, a van, a trailer or the back seat of a car. If that's you, 2027 could bring the biggest change in years to how Seattle treats vehicle residents. Some new help is coming, and so are new limits on where RVs can park.
Here's what's available right now, what the city's proposed RV rules would do, and the steps worth taking this fall so you aren't caught off guard.
What's Legal Right Now
Living in your vehicle is not illegal in Washington. You do have to follow parking laws:
The 72-hour rule. In Seattle, if a street has no posted time limit, paid parking or other restriction, you can park for up to 72 hours in one spot.
Oversized vehicles. Vehicles wider than 80 inches, which includes many RVs, can't park between midnight and 6 a.m. except in industrial areas.
If you already have parking tickets, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) points vehicle residents to the Red Book. It's a free guide for people living in vehicles that explains what to do about tickets. You can download it from KCRHA's vehicle residency page.
Get Connected to an Outreach Team First
This is the single most useful call you can make, now and under the new rules. Call the Seattle Human Services Department at (206) 600-8486 or (206) 507-9428 and say where you're parked. They'll connect you with the outreach team for your area:
Vehicle Resident Outreach (VRO) runs out of UHeights and covers City Council Districts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. VRO helps with vehicle repairs, basic supplies and housing navigation. It also has drop-in hours on Mondays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Ballard food bank, and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Northwest SODO community market, 1915 4th Ave S.
The Salvation Army outreach team covers Districts 3 and 7.
VRO has worked with vehicle residents since 2011. Its staff know the parking rules, the safe lots and the waitlists.
Safe Parking for Cars (Not RVs)
King County has several safe parking programs. They give you a secure place to sleep, restroom access, and sometimes showers, meals or a case manager. These lots are for cars, not RVs. Programs listed by KCRHA include:
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle: Overnight lots in north, west and central Seattle.
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington: A lot at St. John the Baptist, with showers, bathrooms and housing connections.
Lake Washington United Methodist Church: For women and families living in vehicles.
Overlake Christian Church: A lot for up to 15 single men and couples, with showers, meals and case managers.
Newport Presbyterian Church: A 24-hour lot with 8 spaces, Wi-Fi and a portable toilet.
Space is limited, so call ahead.
RV Help: Wastewater, Showers and a New Safe Lot
Free RV pump-outs. Call or text the City of Seattle RV Wastewater Team at (206) 641-6991. They rotate through different parts of the city each week.
Showers and laundry. Urban Rest Stops downtown and in Ballard have free showers, restrooms and laundry. Seattle Parks also offers free showers at the Delridge, Meadowbrook, Green Lake and Rainier community centers. Seattle Public Utilities runs mobile shower trailers in South Seattle/Mt. Baker and Queen Anne/Uptown.
Glassyard Commons (opening soon). The Low Income Housing Institute broke ground in September 2026 on a new RV safe lot near South Park. It will have 72 RV spaces, 20 tiny houses, round-the-clock staff, case managers, a kitchen, and hygiene and laundry facilities. LIHI expected it to open by mid-November. Spots go through referrals from city-contracted outreach workers, with preference for Council District 1 and areas with many RVs. Once you're housed, LIHI disposes of the RV at no cost to you.
The Proposed 2027 RV Rules: What Could Change
In August 2026, Councilmember Dan Strauss introduced a package of bills called the Vehicle Resident Assistance Program. It passed the council's Public Safety Committee on September 22, 2026. The full council hadn't voted when this was written, and a vote was expected as early as October 20. If it passes as written:
New money for services. About $5 million of existing city funds would go to more safe lots, vehicle storage and outreach.
A permit for current RV residents. People living in motor homes and travel trailers who stay engaged with a caseworker, remain on a waitlist for a safe lot, shelter or housing, and follow the rules could get a Vehicle Resident Assistance Permit. It would let them keep parking on city streets while they wait. Turning down appropriate shelter six times would cost you the permit.
A one-time count decides who qualifies. Permits would only go to people and vehicles identified in a one-time city census of vehicles on the street. RVs that arrive after the census wouldn't be eligible. Those residents could still use safe lots, storage, shelter and housing help.
Strict limits without a permit. RVs without permits would be limited to two hours of street parking and couldn't park overnight anywhere in Seattle. They could be towed without notice.
Timeline. The city would have the permit application process ready by April 30, 2027, with RV parking enforcement starting by July 31, 2027.
The rules target motor homes and travel trailers. A car or van isn't covered by the permit system, but the expanded outreach and services are open to anyone living in a vehicle.
What to Do This Fall
Call outreach now at (206) 600-8486 or (206) 507-9428, and get on safe lot and shelter waitlists. Being "engaged with a caseworker" is likely to matter for the permit.
Make sure you're counted if the census happens. Ask your outreach worker when and how it will work.
Keep your paperwork together. That means ID, vehicle title or registration, and any ticket notices.
Deal with tickets early, using the Red Book. Unpaid tickets can lead to impounds.
Watch the October 20 council vote. Details could change before final passage.
Related Guides
If you need help with food, bills or a path back into housing, these guides list Seattle-area nonprofits and churches that can help:
Closing Thoughts
Seattle is about to tighten the rules for RVs while adding services, and the people who come through best will be those already connected to outreach when the changes hit. You don't have to wait for a permit system to get help. Call the outreach line, get on a waitlist, and keep your documents and tickets in order. Then you'll be ready either way.
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