Can I Put Up a Tent in My Backyard?

  • By: Mike Hale
  • Date: July 17, 2022
  • Time to read: 5 min.

One of the favorite things that we like to do when growing yo is camping in our backyard. Nowadays, with the pandemic going around, it may be hard to go in a public camping space with a lot of people around. Now, you would need to consider some factors before putting up that tent in your backyard. Though the answer may be obvious, there is something else that you need to think of when putting up that tent in your backyard.

You can’t put up a tent in your backyard for more than 30 days. There are some cities that have enacted laws that prevent homeless people from living in their towns. With this law, it is even illegal to tent camp in your own backyard, even if you own the land.

Knowing the rules when putting up tents in your home is important. In this article, I will talk about whether you can put up a tent in your backyard, it is legal to live in a tent in your backyard, and the best tent for you to use in your backyard. I will also include some of my tent recommendations so that you can have a better idea of which tent to pick.

Can I Put Up a Tent in My Backyard?

Can I put up a tent in my backyard?

Yes and no. Yes, it is okay to put up a tent only for a couple of overnight stays in your backyard and have some fun camping with your family. However, some cities do not allow tents in the backyard for long periods of time. 

Putting a tent in your backyard can be considered as a temporary shelter. It is especially forbidden in some urban centers.

Even in rural areas, long term camping on residential property can be prohibited. The definition of a short term stay is less than 30 days. Campers should have a bedroom in the house.

Is it legal to live in a tent in your backyard?

As I have said before, there are laws in some cities that prevent homeless people from living in their towns. They do this by not allowing you to tent camp in your backyard for more than 30 days. This is even if you own the land with a house on that land, it is still illegal in some cases to live in a tent in your backyard.

Now, you don’t need to worry because police aren’t likely to arrest you. When you are just putting up a tent in your backyard so you can have fun with your kids, it will be fine. With this said, if you do this often and accept money from campers who need a safe place to pitch a tent for the night, that’s where the police would catch you.

Best tent for your backyard

If you are fond of camping with your family, you should only get the best tent possible for your home. I have some tents that I tested in the past and have loved spending some time in them. You can also use these tents to spend some family time camping in the backyard.

The Coleman Dome Tent is one of the most popular tents that people use for camping. It comes in different sizes, from an accommodation of two to six people. It comes in two colors, green and blue. 

It is made with polyester taffeta and has 75 denier fly sheets. It is weatherproof and has welded corners as well as inverted seams to keep water out.

It also has a rainfly that offers extra weather protection for your tent. We have been using the Coleman Dome Tent for years, and it has never failed us, even if it is raining. The cost of the tent would depend on the size. Since we are a family of four, I bought a tent that fits six people so that we are comfortable sleeping during the night.

Now, if you do not have a family yet, the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is perfect for you. It is available in three colors. You don’t need to go through the frustration of assembly since it has a free-standing, aluminum two-pole design. The polyester material makes it water and UV damage proof.

The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is a bit expensive for one person, but it is definitely worth the money. I used this tent on my camping adventures when I was single, and it is perfect. It gives you enough space so that when you sleep, you are comfortable. I also tested this in the rain, and no water came in the tent. I had my ALPS for years, and it has served me well.

If you are a couple, the Featherstone Outdoor Backpacking Two-Person Tent is perfect for your camping adventure. It comes in two colors that you can choose from, and it is durable, lightweight, and breathable. 

The seam-taped construction makes the tent impenetrable from water, and it prevents any leakage. It has a bathtub floor design that can protect the floor from being wet if placed on wet grounds.

Featherstone Outdoor Backpacking is one of my favorites because it gives enough space for you and your friend or loved one to sleep in. My husband and I used to use this tent when we didn’t have kids. It was perfect for our camping adventures because it is lightweight and easy to bring. 

This tent is also one of the cheapest tents that you can buy in the market.

These three tents are the top three tents of my choice because they are excellent for those who love the camp solo, couple, or family. I have tested all of these tents myself, and I vouch for the quality that these tents offer. I’ve used each of these tents for years, and it has served me well.

Camping is the best way to spend time with your loved ones and friends. Knowing your limits when camping in your backyard is important. Remember to not go over the 30-day mark, or else it will be illegal when you do so. Camp legally and with the best tent possible for you and your loved ones!