Documents that I carry to show the police
Laws will obviously change by location, so research local laws and city ordinances to know what they are. I am not a student of law, and I do not know much about it besides what I learn on the streets and through the internet. If you have any information that you would like to add to this page, or have found that something I have said is false, please email me by clicking here
The most common laws that vehicle dwellers have to deal with are:
For everyone in the United States, print this document:
A specific washington post article is what I show to every police officer, no matter where I am. It shows proof that having laws against living in a vehicle is unconstitutional. Click here to read and print this article
Update: The bill below was denied. I keep these papers with me anyways and still show the cops. Keep in mind that it is at your own discretion to do this. Most cops are not up to date with all the laws, so if you have the proposed bill printed, they "may" see it as fact. Not saying you should do this.... but yeah.
This court case has to do with a california city ordinances banning vehicle dwelling as being illegal: CLick here to see this case (and print it up)
For everyone who lives in california:
A recent bill that could be of interest is the AB 718. Some people say that it didn't pass, but you should still print it up and show it to the officers. On the bill itself, which is posted on a government website, it says that it passed. So I am unsure of the status of this bill, but I always show it to police: Click here to see this document
The most common laws that vehicle dwellers have to deal with are:
- Parking Ordinances (especially oversized city parking ordinances)
- Public Vehicle Camping Ordinances
For everyone in the United States, print this document:
A specific washington post article is what I show to every police officer, no matter where I am. It shows proof that having laws against living in a vehicle is unconstitutional. Click here to read and print this article
Update: The bill below was denied. I keep these papers with me anyways and still show the cops. Keep in mind that it is at your own discretion to do this. Most cops are not up to date with all the laws, so if you have the proposed bill printed, they "may" see it as fact. Not saying you should do this.... but yeah.
This court case has to do with a california city ordinances banning vehicle dwelling as being illegal: CLick here to see this case (and print it up)
For everyone who lives in california:
A recent bill that could be of interest is the AB 718. Some people say that it didn't pass, but you should still print it up and show it to the officers. On the bill itself, which is posted on a government website, it says that it passed. So I am unsure of the status of this bill, but I always show it to police: Click here to see this document
A sign that I printed/laminated which is on my RV's door
Things that I like to do:
- Be friendly
- Not litter
- Be quiet
- Leave people alone
- Put my trash in designated receptacles
- Park for 72 hours when I am in a 72 hour spot
- Follow local laws
- Pay taxes
- Park in commercial areas where complaints are minimal
- Maintain my vehicle to avoid leaks
- Hippies/vagrants/druggies/thugs/thieves/eccentrics/crazy people
- Violent people
- People who do not have respect for other people
- Drugs or alcohol. (I personally have never tried either, ever. Yes, seriously)
- Nothing valuable except my life
- Blankets
- Books
- Food for about 2 days
- My solar panels and bicycle are bolted to the chassis and locked down
