Is It Legal To Live In An RV With A Child?

A few years ago I made the decision of switching to full-time RV living with my family of 6, while it does take some time to adapt it was a brilliant decision and the family couldn’t be happier with the freedom, adventures, and quality family time.

If you’re currently thinking about making the switch and have kids then you probably have a bunch of questions, and might be wondering if it’s actually legal to live in an RV with kids?

Yes, it is perfectly legal to live in an RV with a child but you must ensure that your child’s living arrangements are within the bounds of the law. You will need to make plans for education, healthcare, and ensure you provide a safe, and clean living environment for your kids.

Your RV should also be up to code and you need to think about all the things a child needs for a safe, clean and happy living environment. As long as you have these things in mind, you should be just fine.

is it legal to live in an rv with a child

Can CPS Take Your Kid For Living In An RV?

No, the CPS cannot take your child for living in an RV. There are no laws that prevent living in an RV with your kids as long as you meet all of the legal and care requirements.

Just like living in a home, CPS is more concerned with how you’re caring and providing for the child than they are about whether you’re living in an RV.

CPS would only ever get involved if they deemed that your child is not being properly cared for. It is important to make sure that your RV is up to code and that your child has everything they need in order to be safe and healthy.

However, if they do get involved, they may ask you to make some changes to your living situation in order to better care for the child.

5 Things To Consider Before Living In An RV With Your Kids

Living in an RV with children isn’t that much different than living in a home.

I’ve been doing it with my family of 6 for 2 years. While we’re limited on space, we still have everything we need.

family camper van

1. Check To See If Your RV Is Up To Code

First and foremost, you need to make sure that your RV is up to code. This means that it should have the proper ventilation, electrical wiring, and plumbing.

Additionally, your RV should be equipped with a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.

Have the RV you want to purchase inspected by a professional to ensure that it meets all the necessary safety requirements. They will be able to tell you whether the RV is safe to live in full-time.

We made the mistake of not getting our first used RV inspected before we bought it, and it had a lot of problems that not only made it unsafe to live in but made it unsafe to travel with.

We ran into a lot of trouble on the road and eventually traded it in for a new RV. While a new RV will cost more, but it’s especially worth it if you have children or pets.

2. Consider Your Child’s Needs

You need to think about the things a child needs in order to live comfortably in an RV. This includes a comfortable place to sleep, plenty of storage for their clothes and toys, and a safe place to play.

Make sure your child has everything they need for a safe and healthy living environment. This includes access to clean water, fresh food, and a clean bathroom.

You need plenty of storage space for 4 seasons of clothes, homeschooling supplies, and larger toys like bicycles. If you’re short on space, consider renting a storage unit or keeping some items in a shed at a friend’s house.

3. Consider The Cost Of Living In An RV

While living in an RV can save you money on rent or a mortgage, there are other costs to consider. These include the cost of upkeep and maintenance, the cost of RV parks or campgrounds, and the cost of utilities.

You will also need to factor in the cost of food and gas. If you plan on cooking most of your meals at home, you’ll need to account for the cost of groceries. If you plan on eating out often, you’ll need to budget for restaurants.

Your lifestyle will also affect the cost. Are you a full-time RV traveler or do you plan on staying in one place for a while? This will affect how you set up your RV and how much you’ll spend on gas and campground fees.

4. Schooling And Extracurricular Activities For Your Child

If you have school-aged children, you’ll need to think about how you will handle their schooling. Will you homeschool them or enroll them in a public school? How will you handle extracurricular activities like sports and music lessons?

There are a lot of different ways to handle schooling for children who live in RVs. Some parents choose to homeschool their children, while others enroll them in public school or online school.

There are also a number of charter and private schools that cater to RV-living families.

5. Choose The Right RV For Your Family

Not all RVs are created equal. Some are better suited for full-time living than others. When choosing an RV, you need to consider your family’s needs.

If you have small children, you’ll want an RV with plenty of storage for all of their things. You’ll also want an RV that’s easy to drive and maneuver.

If you have teenagers, you’ll want an RV that has a separate sleeping area for them. You’ll also want an RV that’s large enough to accommodate their friends.

The key is to find what works best for your family and stick with it. Don’t try to do too much at once or you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed.

Can You Live In An RV With A Newborn?

Yes, you can live in an RV with a newborn, but you need to be prepared. You’ll need to have a safe and comfortable place for your baby to sleep, plenty of storage for all of their things, and a clean and healthy living environment.

I’ve never lived in an RV with a newborn, but I have a friend who has done it with the last 3 of her 5 kids.

They have an RV that’s large enough to accommodate a Calfornia King bed in the master bedroom so there’s plenty of room for her, her husband, and the baby to sleep.

They keep a very clean RV so that their babies can crawl around on the floor without getting dirty. And they have a lot of storage for all of the baby’s things.

They also make sure to take their baby out for walks every day so that they can get some fresh air and meet other people.

Babyproofing is another important thing to consider. You can babyproof RV cabinets, bathrooms, and kitchens much like you can in a home, so it’s definitely possible, but it might be a bit more difficult.

Is Living In An RV Considered Homeless?

No, living in an RV is not considered homeless. However, there are a few things to consider.

First, you need to have a place to park your RV. This can be difficult if you don’t own land or if you’re not allowed to park on public land.

You’ll have to pay to reserve parking spaces, which adds to your cost, and some places limit the amount of time you can stay, which means you may have to move often.

Second, you need to have a safe and comfortable place to live. This means having an RV that’s in good condition and that has all the amenities you need.

It also means having a place to park your RV that’s safe and clean. This will make it feel more like a home than an RV.

Lastly, you need to be able to support yourself financially. This means having a job or some other source of income.

Living in an RV can be a great experience, but it’s important to make sure you’re prepared before you make the switch.

Is It Legal To Live In An RV With A Child In Florida?

In Florida, just in any other state, it is legal to live in an RV with a child. In fact, Florida is a very popular destination for RVers, retirees, and families looking to vacation.

RVs are very common in Florida, but it can be difficult to find family-friendly RV parks because so many of them cater to the 55 and older community.

If you plan to live in Florida with a child, make sure you find a place to stay that allows children. There are a few RV parks that cater to families, but they’re often more expensive than the 55+ parks.

In general, living in an RV with a child is no different than living in an RV by yourself. The main thing to consider is whether or not you have enough space for everyone and if you’ll be able to find family-friendly activities to do.

Conclusion 

As you can see, living in an RV with a child is definitely possible. Just make sure you do your research beforehand so that you can be prepared. And enjoy the adventure!

Madeline Cooper