Oversized Vehicles.
San Antonio Unified Development Code § 35-383
in effectSec. 35-383. - Oversized Vehicles.
(a) License and Inspection Requirement. All oversized vehicles must have a current license and inspection sticker if required by the state in which the vehicle is registered.
(b) Vehicle Use. Oversized vehicles shall not be used for dwelling, sleeping, or business purposes upon any street, alley, or other public place, or upon any private property except as otherwise specifically allowed in this chapter or as follows:
(1) Within a lawfully established recreational vehicle or manufactured home park, a campground, or other like facility which is designed and equipped to provide temporary or permanent accommodations for such vehicles.
(2) An oversized vehicle owned by and registered to a person residing outside Bexar County who is visiting San Antonio may be parked behind the restricted parking area of a property owned by or leased to the host. If the oversized vehicle is designed for occupancy, it may be occupied by the guest, provided, however, such occupancy may not exceed ten (10) days per visit, with a limit of three (3) visits per year for each vehicle. Oversized vehicles shall not discharge any litter, sewage effluent, or other matter except into sanitary facilities designed to dispose of such materials.
(c) Parking of Oversized Vehicles in Residential Districts. Oversized Vehicles, as defined in this Chapter, shall not be allowed in restricted parking areas. For lots or parcels one-half (½) acre or less in area, the restricted parking area includes the entire area of the lot. For lots or parcels greater than one-half (½) acre in area, the restricted parking area includes the entire front yard, and areas of the side yard and back yard within fifteen (15) feet of the property line.
The following regulations apply to the parking of oversized vehicles in residential lots:
(1) The parking of an oversized vehicle within the restricted parking area or the parking so that any portion of the vehicle extends into the restricted parking area is prohibited in any residential district, and in "RD" and "UD" districts.
(2) For those residential lots over one-half (½) of an acre in area, where parking of oversized vehicles is allowed on a portion of the lot, all oversized vehicles must be screened from adjacent residential properties with a solid screen fence at least six (6) feet in height.
(d) Residential Recreational Vehicle Parking. Recreational Vehicles may be parked in the restricted parking area provided that:
(1) No Recreational Vehicle may be parked within fifteen (15) feet from the front curb or the front yard;
(2) Recreational vehicles parked within fifteen (15) feet of a side or rear property line must be screened from view with a solid screen fence at least six (6) feet in height; and
(3) Recreational Vehicles shall under no circumstances be utilized for habitation;
(4) Recreational Vehicles may not be connected to water, sewer, or power service, except for trip preparation as defined in subsection (e) below.
(e) Residential Oversized Vehicle and Recreational Vehicle Parking Exceptions. Oversized vehicles may be parked in a driveway or other permanently maintained parking area as specified by section 19-194 of the City Code within the restricted parking area in the residential districts specified in subsection (c) above under the following conditions:
(1) Loading. An oversized vehicle of any type may be temporarily parked in the restricted parking areas for such time as is actually necessary to load or unload passengers, freight, or merchandise.
(2) Trip Preparation. An oversized vehicle, other than one that is also defined as a truck-tractor, road-tractor, semi-trailer, trailer or commercial motor vehicle with three (3) or more axles, may be parked within the restricted parking area for such time as is actually necessary for trip preparation. Trip preparation time shall be limited to a maximum of forty-eight (48) hours prior to use and twenty-four (24) after use twice within any calendar month.
(3) Accessible Areas. An oversized vehicle of any type may be parked in the restricted parking area at any time if it bears a special parking permit issued by the Disability Access Office Manager or designee of the City of San Antonio.
A. A person with a disability who owns an oversized vehicle may apply to the city's Disability Access Office Manager or designee for such a permit if the person has a mobility impairment, uses the vehicle as a primary means of transportation or livelihood, and the vehicle is specially equipped or modified to accommodate the disability.
B. The Disability Access Office Manager or designee may issue such a permit after inquiring into the facts and giving the applicant an opportunity to be heard, if the officer finds that (1) without the vehicle the applicant would be substantially limited in life's activities, (2) the physical handicap is permanent or long term in duration, (3) use of the oversized vehicle is necessary to provide reasonable mobility, (4) parking within the restricted parking area facilitates mobility, and (5) the vehicle has a disabled license plate issued by the state.
C. A permit issued by the Disability Access Office Manager or designee shall be valid for a period of two (2) years. Renewal of the permit shall require re-examination of the facts.
D. If a permit is denied by the Disability Access Office Manager or designee, the applicant may appeal to the board of adjustment in accordance with section 35-482 of this chapter. The board shall have the authority to reverse or affirm, in whole or in part, the decision of the Disability Access Office Manager.
E. It shall be a violation hereof for the holder of a permit issued hereunder to transfer title to the oversized vehicle without contacting the Disability Access Office Manager or designee for cancellation and removing the permit from the vehicle.
(f) Definitions. In this section, the terms truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and commercial motor vehicle shall have the same definitions as set out in V.T.C.A. Transportation Code § 502.001). However, such terms shall not mean "recreational vehicle" as that term is defined in Texas Transportation Code § 522.004(b).
(g) Penalties. The penalty for violation of any portion of this section is hereby established so that the minimum fine shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) and the maximum fine shall be two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), provided, however, in the event a defendant has once previously been convicted under this Ordinance No. 84874, the defendant, upon conviction, shall be fined an amount no less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) and not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) and upon third and subsequent convictions, the penalty shall be a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) (Sec. 35-491 Enforcement - Zoning Violations).
(Ord. No. 98697 § 6) (Ord. No. 101816, § 2, 12-15-05) (Ord. No. 2009-01-15-0001, § 2, 1-15-09; Ord. No. 2022-11-03-0831, § 2, 11-3-22, eff. 1-1-23)
Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/unified_development_code?nodeId=ARTIIIZO_DIV7SUUSRE_S35-383OVVEFetched: 10/27/2026