Vehicle Permitting Program

Vehicles are required to follow these rules:

• You must obtain a permit to camp in a vehicle.
• You must contain your trash.
• Personal property must be stored inside the vehicle.  
• Permitted vehicles must be used for shelter and sleeping, not as storage only.  One vehicle per permit.
• Pet waste must be picked up and disposed of and pets must be leashed.
• No fires are allowed.
• No structures associated with a permitted vehicle are allowed.
• Generators must be stored and located on paved surfaces, and fuel must be properly stored in fuel containers. 

Camping is Not Allowed

• Adjacent to or immediately across from any parcel or lot containing a residential dwelling.
• Within 100 feet of a public entrance of any commercial business or nonprofit organization. 
• Within 300 feet of (approximately  the length of a city block) of any shelter facility.
• Adjacent to or immediately across from the boundary of any public park.
• Adjacent to or immediately across from any parcel or lot containing any public or private school, including secondary, elementary, or preschool, or any lot or parcel containing a daycare facility. 
• In violation of any posted parking signs or painted curbs prohibiting parking or otherwise limiting the hours of parking.
• In a bike lane, median, sidewalk, public pathway or trail.

Camping in a Vehicle is Allowed in Areas not Listed Above Subject to These Conditions

• Only one vehicle is permitted per city block.  In the absence of a defined block, the permit may only be issued if the vehicle is 150 feet from another vehicle being used for camping purposes.
• No more than three vehicles  used  for camping purposes are permitted per  quarter mile on public streets.

Vehicles Allowed for Camping

• Motorhomes
• Camping trailers
• Tent trailers
• Truck campers
• Camper vans
• Car campers
• Other recreational vehicles and cars  with or without motive power designed  for use as temporary living quarters as defined in Missoula Municipal Code 10.02.390.

To Obtain a Permit

1. Read the ordinance
2. Read this page or review the brochure
3. Call 406-552-6080 and leave a message describing the location where your vehicle is parked.  A code compliance staff member will visit your site.  Permits are good for 30 days and can be reissued twice for a maximum of 90 days in one location.