Can you park overnight at Walmart? What to know.

Here in Texas, Walmart is a retail haven for customers in search of everything from groceries to cosmetics, toiletries and clothes — but is it also a destination for those needing a safe place to park their car overnight? Here’s what we know about the do’s and don’ts of overnight parking in Texas and where, exactly, it’s allowed.

Within Texas, there aren’t any state laws that prohibit people from parking and sleeping in a vehicle. However, many municipalities do have their own regulations and code restrictions as to the legality of where you can park overnight, according to Texas-based Anderson Injury Lawyers.

Here in the Lone Star State, the Texas Transportation Code does allow people to legally stay at rest areas overseen by the Texas Department of Transportation. Statewide, there are nearly 80 locations available for those seeking safe respite, with these rest areas operating 24 hours and offering restrooms for public use.

However, Texas Transportation Code does have certain stipulations in place for how long people remain at a rest area, reading in part: “A person commits an offense if the person remains at a rest area for longer than 24 hours or erects a tent, shelter, booth, or structure at the rest area” and they have noticed the specific activity they’re doing is prohibited or they’ve received notice the activity isn’t allowed but haven’t left or taken down the illegal structure within eight hours after receiving notice.

Defining notice, the code specifies that people can be held liable if there’s signage on site prohibiting certain activities, or if the person involved has received verbal notice from a peace officer regarding the illicit activity.

You’re also permitted to sleep on private property — such as shopping centers, private parking lots or a friend or family member’s driveway — so long as you have explicit permission from either the management of a commercial property or a homeowner regarding the act.

Within metro areas, many cities have restrictions in place that prohibit overnight parking along residential streets, public parking lots, beach parking lots, city parks and downtown corridors; it’s strongly encouraged that drivers research those municipalities’ code restrictions before trying to spend the night.

When it comes to Walmart, the retailer doesn’t have a companywide policy regarding overnight parking. However, on Walmart’s FAQ page, the company does include details as to whether people are allowed to park RVs at Walmart stores.

“While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able,” the FAQ read. “Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.”

Beyond RVs, the legality of overnight parking at Walmart is left up to individual stores to decide, Anderson Injury Lawyers noted. Those considering the move are advised to call ahead and ask management if that specific location allows for overnight stays before attempting it.