Walmart overnight parking

[gwinger]

Here's a link to Google Maps which displays Walmart locations. Green checked allow overnight parking:
Walmart locations

The map is wrong. I checked our local Walmart on the map. It shows a green check mark. Signs in the lot say NO overnight truck or RV parking. It's been this way for over 3 years. Truckers parking wherever the felt like and blocking parking spaces.

 

[LarsMac]

There are two WMs within an hour of our current location. While I was running errands, I stopped in both of them the same afternoon, and asked the manager about RV parking on their properties.
One is in a high traffic area, and their lot is relatively small. The manager denied permission to Park overnight, saying that the trucks coming to deliver goods take up most of their available space, and he could not allow overnight parking except for trucks delivering goods.
The second store has a very big lot, and seems to have plenty of room. The manager there told me that they allow overnight parking as long as RV's do not interfere with delivery traffic.
Both parking lots have signs stating "no overnight parking." These signs are "CYA" signs if the manager finds it necessary to call authorities to evict a camper.
So, again, we are back to "Ask store management for permission."
Seems simple enough.

 

[Onyrlef]

There are two WMs within an hour of our current location. While I was running errands, I stopped in both of them the same afternoon, and asked the manager about RV parking on their properties.
One is in a high traffic area, and their lot is relatively small. The manager denied permission to Park overnight, saying that the trucks coming to deliver goods take up most of their available space, and he could not allow overnight parking except for trucks delivering goods.
The second store has a very big lot, and seems to have plenty of room. The manager there told me that they allow overnight parking as long as RV's do not interfere with delivery traffic.
Both parking lots have signs stating "no overnight parking." These signs are "CYA" signs if the manager finds it necessary to call authorities to evict a camper.
So, again, we are back to "Ask store management for permission."
Seems simple enough.

A WalMart parking lot is no less private property than my driveway and I don't need a sign to cover my a just in case I wake up to find a MH in my driveway. If the store management needs to call authorities to evict an overnighter the only reason they need is "because I said so".

 

[Isaac-1]

A WalMart parking lot is no less private property than my driveway and I don't need a sign to cover my a just in case I wake up to find a MH in my driveway. If the store management needs to call authorities to evict an overnighter the only reason they need is "because I said so".

Perhaps true, but you are unlikely to be taken to court for discriminatory parking policy when you selectively tell people they can't park their broken down RV in your driveway

 

[Ernie Ekberg]

We never overnight at Walmart, rest stops or truck stops

 

[Oldgator73]

Any business is private property and they can pretty much make any rules they want; posted or implied. Get in a fender bender in a businesses parking lot and call the cops. They don’t want to come but will if you insist but the only thing you will get is the other persons information.
I’ve never asked for permission to park in a parking lot overnight. But I only do it if there are other RV’s there.

 

[Onyrlef]

Perhaps true, but you are unlikely to be taken to court for discriminatory parking policy when you selectively tell people they can't park their broken down RV in your driveway

Has an RV’er ever sued WalMart for discriminatory parking policy?

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Both parking lots have signs stating "no overnight parking." These signs are "CYA" signs if the manager finds it necessary to call authorities to evict a camper

From conversations I've had with a few WM employees their bigger problem is not with truckers or RV'ers, but with local vagrants, drug buys, criminal activity, and such.

I don't believe local laws can set a precedent over privately owned property parking laws. Now, that means parking, not camping as some want to do. My local Walmart a mile and a half away has a couple of small "no parking" size signs posted on the public medium outside the two drives into the WM lot stating "No Overnight Parking". There are no signs of such in the lot, and very often trucks and campers are seen parked overnight by the Garden Center, which seems to be the most popular place to park at WM's.

 

[jymbee]

I don't believe local laws can set a precedent over privately owned property parking laws.

I don't know either way but would not be surprised if local ordinances could indeed determine what is allowed in privately owned (but publicly visible) businesses.

 

[rvlifer]

Walmart owns the property and gets to make the rules. They say permission is extended by the local management. Pretty simple. If there are signs saying it is ok or it isnt then that indicates you have the local managers answer.

If you stay without asking you have taken away managemwnts ability to give you their answer.

Regardless of the reason or what mental hurdles you go through to justify staying there without asking at the end of the day it isnt your property and it isnt your call.

Everyone can continue doing what they are doing. I am not trying to convince you to change. But dont act like what you do is the right thing when it isnt. That is a very slippery slope.

 

[Onyrlef]

From conversations I've had with a few WM employees their bigger problem is not with truckers or RV'ers, but with local vagrants, drug buys, criminal activity, and such.

I don't believe local laws can set a precedent over privately owned property parking laws. Now, that means parking, not camping as some want to do. My local Walmart a mile and a half away has a couple of small "no parking" size signs posted on the public medium outside the two drives into the WM lot stating "No Overnight Parking". There are no signs of such in the lot, and very often trucks and campers are seen parked overnight by the Garden Center, which seems to be the most popular place to park at WM's.

Of course they can.

 

[DonTom]

I don't believe local laws can set a precedent over privately owned property parking laws.

"Private property" for "public use" is controlled by law enforcement. For example, the cops can give big fines for parking in a handicapped zone on Walmart property. They can also give citations to RVs that stay overnight when the local ordinances say it is not allowed.

And Wallymart has no control over what the cops do on their property or if they allow overnight parking, as the local laws are NOT decided by Wal*Mart.

-Don- Tucson, AZ (raining here again).

 

[Onyrlef]

Don't act like what you do is the right thing when it isnt. That is a very slippery slope.

Furthermore, it will lead to a life of crime. If you'll overnight at WalMart without asking, you'll rob banks, kidnap babies and run over dogs.

 

[rvlifer]

Furthermore, it will lead to a life of crime. If you'll overnight at WalMart without asking, you'll rob banks, kidnap babies and run over dogs.

Make fun all you want. That isnt what i meant and you know that.

If it is ok for you to trespass then it must be ok if someone does it to you. You cant have it both ways

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

ok or it isnt then that indicates you have the local managers answer.

This is my understanding too of what WMs allow overnight parking.

And Wallymart has no control over what the cops do on their property or if they allow overnight parking, as the local laws are NOT decided by Wal*Mart.

Don, I think you have WalMarts in the U.S. confused with those in Russia. Are you to say that a WM delivery truck that arrives at 3 AM and parks until the receiving docks open will be told to leave by the local PD?
Sure, most if not all private land is subject to different zoning laws. But, zoning laws are to protect the public's private property. Who or what parks at a WM overnight has zero threat to the public,

 

[DonTom]

Are you to say that a WM delivery truck that arrives at 3 AM and parks until the receiving docks open will be told to leave by the local PD?

Of course not, and neither will an RV. That is not overnight parking, if not staying overnight.

All I am saying is that Wal-Mart does not make the local laws. And the local laws can decide if overnight parking is allowed on Wally-Mart property. Of course, Wal-Mart can also kick you off their property, even where overnight parking is allowed, if you're breaking one of their rules or whatever.

IOW, the local laws as well as the Wal*Mart must allow overnight parking for you to park there overnight. Either Walmart or law enforcement can kick you off.

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[Henry J Fate]

Walmart is usually very good to RVers. Location is important with overnight stays. Its the abuse of the hospitality that causes the problem. It was a little easier pre-pandemic when Wally Worlds were open very late or 24 hours. I would not plan an overnight stay at Wally World but if the need arises, talk to the manager on duty.

In most cases, trucks staying at Wally World is handled very differently. Most of those deliveries are pre-scheduled and many are deliveries that are on a regular interval.

It is possible that a truck parked in a Wally World is not associated with a Wally World delivery but it is quite a bit different than living in your RV out in the parking lot. It is also something that the store can manage as they feel needed.

The most important thing when staying in any business parking lot is to be considerate. Use it as a safe place given for sleeping and head out bright an early. Wally World is great for shopping during daytime hours and you wont get bothered if you are out of the way and hanging around after shopping to rest some.

 

[rvlifer]

does walmart insurance cover accidents that happen while you camp overnight in their lot? I dont know but assume because their corp policy is to allow it they carry some amount of coverage.

Lots of examples. Someone runs into your rv while parked there. Someone breaks in or worse. You slip and fall. Etc.

 

[Henry J Fate]

That issue comes along with any business or private property who serve the public. It is different state by state but certainly if it is determined that it places the business insurer at a unnecessary increased risk attached to a policy premium increase that the business chooses not to pay, signs will go up. I am not sure if that risk has ever been exposed but it is probably something that a business would need to weigh against its hospitality, customer base, and of course with the insurance rates applied. Many years ago not a big deal but with the surge in RV living, it is probably being addressed or looked at closely. Things like this usually get implemented shortly after a sizable claim by an RVer not there to shop or a build up of unwanted events. There are other events at large retail parking areas that come into the same category which would also respond in a similar way. No claims no problem, unless of course it is deemed a large risk without any history of it being as such.

 

[Oldgator73]

Lots of examples. Someone runs into your rv while parked there. Someone breaks in or worse. You slip and fall. Etc.

If someone runs into your RV in the parking lot either your insurance or the person’s that ran into you will pay. If you trip and fall in the parking lot and It’s determined to be WM’s at fault then most likely they will pay. As for your your RV being vandalized I would think your insurance would have to cover it.