Start a small RV and trailer storage lot
Turn spare land into a fenced, gated lot that stores RVs, campers and trailers for monthly fees.
- $50k-200k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
18,564 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year
NAICS 531130 “Lessors of miniwarehouses and self-storage units”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A fenced and gated outdoor lot, often gravel, on spare land you own or lease. Owners of motorhomes, travel trailers and boats pay monthly to park there when they are not on the road. You handle sign-ups, rent collection and basic site upkeep.
Your first three steps
- Call your county or city planning office to ask whether vehicle storage is allowed on your land and what permits it needs
- Check storage rates within a 15-mile radius and count how many spaces your land can fit with room to maneuver
- Price out fencing, gravel, a keypad gate and cameras, then line up a simple rental agreement and online payment tool
Who pays
RV and camper owners who cannot park at home because of HOA rules, small driveways or city limits. Boat and trailer owners also use these lots.
How it makes money
Monthly rent per space, usually priced by vehicle length. You can add extras such as battery charging, covered spots or late fees, and some owners offer a discount for paying annually.
Skills that help
- Organizing and record keeping
- Customer service
- Basic property upkeep
- Comfortable with simple contracts
Watch out for
- Zoning and conditional use permits vary by city and county, so confirm before you spend money
- Check insurance options for commercial property, general liability and stored vehicles. Many policies do not cover customers' vehicles automatically
- Your state's rules on late payments, liens and abandoned vehicles
- Whether storage rent is subject to sales tax in your state
- Drainage, stormwater and fire access rules, plus mortgage or lease terms on the land
- HOA covenants or lease terms if the land is not fully yours
- Site work costs vary widely with grading, fence length, gate type and local requirements, so get several contractor quotes before committing
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: small RV and trailer storage lot
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an RV storage lot?
Startup costs are typically around $50,000 to $200,000, depending on grading, fence length, gate type and local requirements. Site work varies widely, so get several contractor quotes before committing.
How much can a small RV storage lot earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many spaces you fill and what you charge. Estimates assume at least about 3 hours a week for sign-ups, rent collection and basic upkeep.
What rules should I check before opening an RV storage lot?
Check zoning and conditional use permits with your city or county first. Also check insurance for stored vehicles, state rules on late payments, liens and abandoned vehicles, sales tax on storage rent, stormwater and fire access rules, and any HOA or lease terms.
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