Around the Valley—Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, even Queen Creek—you start to hear the same question on tours: how “RV-height” is actually RV-height? On paper, Richmond American’s UltraGarage® and Lennar’s RV Garage homes both promise easy coach storage. But in Phoenix, where summer heat tests every material and HOAs have long memories, the real story starts after move-in.
From the curb, both look impressive—tall doors, deep bays, clean stucco lines—but living with one is a different rhythm. What follows isn’t marketing talk. It’s a grounded look at how these garages perform in Phoenix real estate, drawn from years of walking lots, measuring clearances, and listening to owners talk about what worked—and what didn’t.
In Phoenix real estate, full RV bays fill a small but reliable niche. You’ll see them most often in the West Valley—Estrella Mountain Ranch, Desert Oasis, Cortessa—where lot sizes still allow a true bay. Richmond American’s UltraGarage® and Lennar’s RV Garage models both target buyers who want freedom to travel without off-site storage costs.
Lot position and street layout shape both livability and resale. Corner lots with wider aprons feel easier to use and tend to draw stronger offers; mid-block homes on narrower streets can sit a bit longer when it’s time to sell. Inside the Loop 101, full RV bays are rare, partly because of smaller parcels and stricter HOA design standards. That scarcity, though, often protects their long-term value.
“RV-height” isn’t a standard measurement. A twelve-foot door may narrow to eleven-ten once opener tracks and insulation come into play. Add Phoenix heat, and you’ll see metal expand just enough to pinch that margin. I’ve watched rigs clear easily at sunrise, then brush the seal by late afternoon.
Depth is the quiet deal-breaker. Builders list forty-five feet; buyers measure forty-two. Steps, utility panels, or a service door all chip away at usable length. The only honest number is the one you tape out yourself.
Inside the bay, everything behaves. Outside, geometry rules. Phoenix subdivisions love narrow streets to slow traffic, which also tightens your approach. Corner lots glide easier; mid-block homes make you line up just right.
Every builder promises a 50-amp outlet, but placement decides how civilized your setup feels. Most rigs plug on the driver’s side, forward third. Get it wrong and you’ll drag a heavy cord across hot concrete every weekend.
A livable RV bay doesn’t just store; it lets you tinker, clean, or prep for a weekend trip without overheating. Small details—a reachable hose bib, bright lighting, a whisper of moving air—make a difference that lasts years.
Phoenix heat and rig weight both test materials over time. Heavy vehicles can stress slabs, and temperature swings shift alignments slightly. It’s normal maintenance, not a construction flaw, but worth planning for.
City zoning is lenient—keep parking paved and dust-free—but most HOAs add their own layers. Some allow overnight driveway staging; others issue warnings within hours. Even homes built for RVs fall under visibility clauses that restrict open doors or outdoor wash-downs. For zoning details, see the City of Phoenix zoning code.
In the broader Phoenix housing market, homes with RV bays attract a loyal, niche audience—travelers, collectors, and full-timers. That audience may be smaller, but scarcity keeps values stable. During strong markets, these homes often draw premium offers; in slower cycles, they wait for the right buyer but rarely sell at a discount.
Resale strength improves when the bay doubles as flexible space—a workshop, gym, or storage for car enthusiasts. Corner lots and shaded orientations tend to show best at appraisal. Buyers notice usability more than sheer scale.
Once the dimensions, slope, and shade all work together, the garage fades into daily rhythm. You back in, plug in, close the door, and exhale. When it fits right, it’s not just storage—it’s freedom measured in feet and shade.
Target a finished opening of 12–13 ft with at least ~3 in of buffer under the lowest opener hardware. Phoenix heat softens seals and expands metal, so morning clearances can tighten by afternoon. If the rig is tall or lifted, spec a side-mount opener or low-headroom tracks to reclaim overhead inches.
Plan for 40–42 ft of clear interior length (drywall to drywall). Many “45-ft” bays lose 2–3 ft to steps, utility closets, or a rear service door. Big Class A coaches live easier at ~45 ft clear so you can close the door without removing hitches or squeezing the ladder.
Corner lots with wider curb returns and a gentle 2–3° apron slope feel best. Ask for the site plan showing driveway width at the sidewalk, curb radius, and any boxes/hydrants near the curb that pinch turns. A light broom finish improves traction after monsoon dust and rain.
Most rigs want shore power on the driver’s side, front third. Ideal layout is a 50A (NEMA 14-50) there, plus a 30A or 20A GFCI near the rear for tools or a second circuit. Leave panel capacity for an EV charger; Phoenix owners often plug in both coach and car.
It varies by community and plan. Some include 50A as a standard feature; others list it as an option during selections. Confirm on your electrical plan early—adding a 50A stub after drywall can cost roughly 2–3× more than doing it at framing.
Combine a small powered exhaust fan with passive gable vents, and install four rows of neutral-white LEDs for even light and low heat. If the bay shares a wall with living space, insulate it like conditioned space—less noise and less heat bleed during 110°F afternoons.
Policies vary widely. Some master-planned HOAs allow short windows (e.g., 24–48 hours); others issue warnings within hours. Read the CC&Rs yourself and ask for written confirmation on visibility, door-open time limits, and behind-gate screening requirements before you close.
They attract a loyal niche (travelers, collectors, full-timers). Scarcity helps values hold, especially on corner lots with easy approaches. In slower markets, they can take longer to find the right buyer, but well-designed bays typically avoid steep discounts because utility drives demand.
Heat cycles and vehicle weight can nudge door alignment and stress slab joints. Plan on annual door hardware tune-ups, sealing expansion cuts to keep dust/rain out, and torque-checking 50A terminals each year to prevent heat-related loosening.
Not universally—dimensions vary by plan and community for both brands. Instead of relying on marketing labels, pull the actual plan set and verify three numbers on your lot: finished door height, clear interior length, and opener-to-slab clearance.
A side-mount opener (extra headroom), driver-side 50A in the front third, a second hose bib at the rear corner, conduit for future lighting or benches, and a light broom finish at the apron. These low-cost choices reduce hassle every single time you park or prep.
Visit near dusk on a weekday. Park at the curb, note street width and any utilities at the apron, then walk the turn path while watching glare lines. If you can’t visually “see” the jamb for the last 10 ft, expect a tense routine—look for a corner lot or wider curb return.
