How To Evict Someone From A Recreational Vehicle Park?

State law decides how an RV park operator proceeds, so verify it before any paperwork.

1. Pinpoint the governing jurisdiction. County ordinances may tighten or loosen statewide rules, so note city and county limits.
2. Search the state's landlord‑tenant code for 'mobile home' or 'manufactured dwelling' provisions; many statutes treat RVs like residential leases, but a few label them as personal property.
3. Record required notice periods. Some states demand 30‑day notice for month‑to‑month tenants, while others allow a shorter 'pay‑or‑quit' window for guests.
4. Identify statutory definitions of 'tenant' versus 'guest.' This distinction shapes which eviction grounds apply and appears in the upcoming 'tenant versus guest status' section.
5. Check for mandatory filing forms or court fees. Certain states require a specific 'Notice to Quit' template before filing a complaint.
6. Consult a local attorney or legal aid clinic. They can confirm nuances - like rent‑control exemptions - or point to the state‑by‑state eviction guide for quick reference.
7. Archive the statutes and any legal opinions. Having them on hand streamlines the notice‑drafting step that follows.

A tenant holds a signed lease or rental agreement; a guest occupies the site without a formal contract.

Tenants receive the full suite of landlord‑tenant rights: regular rent cycles, written notice requirements - typically 30 days in many states - and due‑process protections if the park seeks eviction. Lease clauses may dictate utilities, pet policies, and quiet‑enforcement standards, and courts usually treat breaches as lease violations. Some jurisdictions, such as California, extend these safeguards further, demanding specific notice forms and cure periods before filing suit. As we covered above, confirming state‑specific rules prevents procedural missteps later.

Guests lack a lease, so their stay is generally classified as a license rather than tenancy. Operators can limit occupancy to a few weeks, often under a 'short‑term visitor' policy, and may issue informal warnings rather than formal notices. Because statutory tenant protections rarely apply, a guest can be asked to leave with minimal advance warning, though reasonable notice - usually 24 - 48 hours - is advisable to avoid claim of unfair treatment. This distinction will guide the 'spot legitimate reasons for eviction now' section, where the operator matches the occupant's status to the appropriate cause. For a deeper dive into state variations, see Nolo's guide on tenant versus guest differences.

Legitimate eviction triggers in an RV park revolve around breach of contractual or statutory duties.

• Failure to pay rent on time - missed payments breach the lease and give the operator grounds to start eviction proceedings (see the upcoming 'handle rent non‑payment disputes' section).
• Violation of the signed lease or park rules - storing prohibited items, running a business from the site, or ignoring quiet‑hour policies breaches the agreement.
• Engaging in illegal activity - drug dealing, theft, or any criminal conduct endangers the community and justifies removal.
• Health or safety hazards - improper waste disposal, fire‑code violations, or unregistered vehicles create immediate risk.
• Repeated rule violations after warnings - multiple documented infractions despite written notices demonstrate a pattern that supports eviction.

This content does not constitute legal advice.

The moment rent goes unpaid, the RV park operator must shift from informal reminders to a legally sound demand while respecting the same eviction rules that apply to tenants and guests unless a local ordinance says otherwise. First, pull the signed lease or site agreement and tally every missed payment; the record will back up every subsequent step. Next, draft a pay‑or‑quit notice that reflects the exact notice window required in your state - some jurisdictions allow five days, others demand thirty or more, so checking the specific statute is non‑negotiable. Attach a clear deadline, the total amount owed, and a brief explanation that failure to pay will trigger formal eviction proceedings. Keep copies of the notice, proof of service, and any reply from the occupant; this paper trail becomes essential if the case reaches court.

Finally, if the deadline passes without cure, file the eviction complaint according to your state's small‑claims or landlord‑tenant docket, and let the judge decide the next move. (This overview is informational, not legal advice.)

• Verify lease terms and compile a payment ledger
• Research the precise pay‑or‑quit period for your state (range typically 5‑30 days)
• Serve a written notice that names the amount due, deadline, and eviction intent
• Log all communications and any partial payments received
• Initiate court filing if the deadline expires and the balance remains unpaid

Addressing a rule violation begins with an objective record of the infraction, the date, and any eyewitness accounts. The RV park operator then delivers a written notice that outlines the breach, references the specific park rule, and states the corrective deadline prescribed by state law. If the offending party is a tenant, the notice must cite the lease provision; for a guest, the park's guest policy applies, and the same procedural fairness used in the rent‑non‑payment section still holds. A copy filed in the operator's records creates the audit trail required if the matter proceeds to court.

Failure to remedy the breach within the allotted period triggers a formal eviction notice, which must meet the same statutory format discussed in the drafting section. Because many states require a minimum cure period - often five to fourteen days - the operator should calculate the deadline before sending the next document. Should the tenant dispute the violation, the operator can request a mediation session or present the documented evidence at the hearing, reducing the risk of costly litigation. For state‑specific requirements, see state‑specific RV park eviction guidelines, then move straight to the 'draft your eviction notice correctly' step.

A properly drafted eviction notice protects the RV park operator and speeds up the removal process.

1. Identify the notice type required - most states demand either a 'pay‑or‑quit' notice for non‑payment or a 'cure‑or‑quit' notice for rule violations; confirm the correct form after reviewing state statutes (see the earlier legal‑check section).
2. List the tenant's full name and site number - precise identification prevents disputes and satisfies jurisdictional filing standards.
3. State the specific violation - cite the lease clause or park rule breached, and reference the date the offense occurred to establish a clear factual basis.
4. Specify the remedy period - include the exact number of days the tenant has to pay overdue rent or correct the violation, matching the minimum timeframe mandated by state law.
5. Add a clear termination date - indicate the day the tenancy ends if the remedy is not completed, using plain language to avoid ambiguity.
6. Provide the operator's contact information - a phone number or email address allows the tenant to discuss resolution without unnecessary escalation.
7. Sign, date, and keep a copy - a handwritten or electronic signature validates the notice; retain the original for court records.
8. Choose a lawful delivery method - certified mail, hand delivery, or posting as allowed by state rules; this step links directly to the next section on serving notices correctly.

Serve the eviction notice exactly as state law demands, using an approved delivery method and including every required detail.

• Confirm the state‑specified delivery option - personal hand‑delivery, certified mail, or posted notice on the RV door - and use only that method (most states prohibit email or text).
• Document the service moment with a signed receipt, a photo of the posted notice, or a certified‑mail tracking slip; this proof becomes crucial if the tenant disputes the notice.
• Match the notice period to the jurisdiction's timeline (typically 30 days for non‑payment, 60 days for lease‑termination) and ensure the calendar counts only days the tenant could realistically receive it.
• Avoid prohibited language such as 'you must vacate immediately' or threats of lockout; stick to factual statements about the breach, the cure period, and the date of possession required.
• Consider local park ordinances that may add extra steps - some cities require a second copy mailed to the park office - so review municipal codes before sending the final notice.

(For a state‑by‑state checklist, see Nolo's eviction‑notice requirements guide.)

File the eviction lawsuit and attend the hearing by following a precise courtroom roadmap. After the notice period expires, the RV park operator prepares a complaint that lists the tenant's name, location of the leased spot, and the legal reason for removal, then submits it to the appropriate county clerk. The clerk assigns a case number, stamps the filing, and collects the filing fee, which varies by jurisdiction.

Once the complaint is recorded, the operator requests a summons, hands it to a process server, and ensures the tenant receives both documents within the statutory time frame.

• Gather evidence: lease agreement, payment records, violation notices, and any communications proving the breach.
• Draft the complaint: state facts, cite the specific state eviction statute, and request possession and any owed rent.
• File with the court: bring the complaint, filing fee receipt, and any required forms to the clerk's office; some counties allow e‑filing.
• Serve the summons and complaint: use a certified process server or sheriff; avoid self‑service to prevent dismissal.
• Prepare for the hearing: organize copies of all evidence, anticipate tenant defenses, and consider a brief written statement summarizing the case.
• Attend the hearing: arrive early, present evidence calmly, answer the judge's questions, and listen for the ruling date.

The next section shows how to handle evictions of long‑term RV owners when ownership, not tenancy, complicates the process. (Not legal advice; consult local counsel for state‑specific nuances.)

Long‑term RV owners are usually classified as 'tenants' or 'licensees,' so the eviction must follow the specific RV‑park or mobile‑home statutes that apply in the operator's state, not the generic apartment rules. For example, California treats them under mobile‑home park law, while Texas relies on campground statutes (see state RV‑park statutes overview). Identifying the correct legal framework determines whether the case belongs in a civil court, small‑claims docket, or a specialized housing tribunal.

Notice periods for rent arrears typically range from five to fourteen days, depending on local law; a three‑day notice is rare and usually reserved for utility shut‑offs or lease violations. The operator should reference the notice‑drafting guidance from the previous section, inserting the exact number of days required by the governing statute. Failure to match the statutory window weakens the eviction claim and gives the tenant a free pass (because paperwork loves loopholes).

When the notice expires, the operator files the complaint in the venue prescribed by the same statutes - small‑claims for disputes under the state's monetary cap, otherwise a regular civil court, or a dedicated housing tribunal where available. The filing includes the lease or license agreement, proof of service, and the unpaid balance. After the filing step, the next section will explain how to act fast when an emergency eviction becomes unavoidable.

During an emergency, an RV park operator must still give the tenant the notice period required by state law - often 7 to 30 days - and then file a regular eviction action in the appropriate civil or housing court; the only deviation is a request for an expedited hearing, not a shortcut around the notice requirement (see state‑by‑state eviction guide). Only a handful of jurisdictions expressly allow a shortened notice, so the operator should verify the local statute before assuming any special rule applies.

A hurricane‑damaged lot might force the operator to clear unsafe sites, yet the tenant still receives the full statutory notice and a motion for a fast‑track trial. A fire‑code breach that endangers nearby occupants triggers the same notice timeline, with the court asked to decide quickly. During a pandemic, health directives could justify an accelerated docket, but the operator cannot simply hand over a 24‑hour notice; the formal process remains unchanged.

Evicting a subletter requires the same legal footing as evicting any tenant, but the primary tenant must be addressed first.

The process hinges on three factors: lease language, state notice rules, and proper documentation.

• Confirm the original lease forbids subletting; if it does, the primary tenant breaches the agreement.
• Look up the state's required notice period for tenant evictions (ranges from 3 days for cause to 30 days for no‑cause).
• Draft a notice that names both the subletter and the primary tenant, cites the lease violation, and includes the correct deadline.
• Deliver the notice according to the method outlined in the 'serve notice without breaking rules' section, keeping copies for the record.
• If the subletter refuses to vacate, file a formal eviction action; the court will consider the lease breach and any state‑specific protections.

Once the notice is served, the next step is to navigate court filing and hearings, as detailed in the following section.

Changing locks before a court order expires often triggers illegal‑detainer claims; likewise, retaining a tenant's security deposit without a written, itemized deduction list invites breach‑of‑contract complaints. Skipping the statutory lien filing deadline can strip the operator of a valuable remedy for unpaid rent, while failing to document the RV's condition at turnover creates disputes over damage responsibilities. Harassing a former tenant - through repeated calls or unsolicited visits - may be deemed a violation of fair‑housing statutes in many states.

Maintain a meticulous paper trail and obey each state's timing rules to stay out of trouble. Store photos, move‑out checklists, and correspondence for at least the period required by local law, typically one to two years. File a lien within the prescribed window, often 30‑60 days, and serve notice according to the state's prescribed method, as we covered above for notice compliance. When in doubt, a brief consultation with an attorney versed in RV‑park regulations can save thousands in future litigation. For a state‑specific overview of lien procedures, see state lien filing guidelines.