Chapter 12-32
CAMPING IN PUBLIC AREAS
Sections:
12-32.010 Declaration of purpose.
12-32.030 Camping and storage of personal property prohibited.
12-32.040 Violation—Penalty. Revised 2/19
12-32.010 Declaration of purpose.
The public streets, sidewalks, buildings, parks and public plaza areas within the city should be readily accessible and available to residents and the public at large. The use of these facilities for camping purposes or storage of personal property interferes with the rights of the public to use the areas for the purpose for which they were intended. The purpose of this chapter is to maintain public streets and public areas within the city in a safe, clean and accessible condition. (Prior code § 6-04.005)
12-32.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings as set forth below:
“Camp” means to pitch or occupy camp facilities; to live temporarily in a camp facility or outdoors; to use camp paraphernalia.
“Camp facilities” include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, or temporary shelters.
“Camp paraphernalia” means and includes, but is not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, blankets, sleeping bags, hammocks or non-city designated cooking facilities and similar equipment.
“Public area” means and includes but is not limited to any sidewalk, building, grounds, lot, parcel, park, plaza or parking lot owned by a public entity and dedicated to the authorized use and enjoyment of the public.
“Public street” means and includes but is not limited to any street, road, highway, alley, sidewalk, parkway, bridge, culvert, drain, and other such facilities owned by a public entity.
“Store” means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in a location. (Prior code § 6-04.010)
12-32.030 Camping and storage of personal property prohibited.
Unless otherwise permitted by city, no person shall:
A. Maintain, erect, or permit the erection of any hut, shanty, tent, tarpaulin, or any other type of temporary structure upon any public street or public area.
B. Camp, occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia upon any public street or public area.
C. Store personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, upon any public street or public area.
(Prior code § 6-04.020)
12-32.040 Violation—Penalty.
A. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, pursuant to Section 1-32.010 of this code.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, absent exigent circumstances the provisions of this chapter will not be enforced against indigent homeless persons sitting, lying, or sleeping on public property when no alternative shelter is available in accordance with the holding in Martin v. City of Boise, (9th Cir. 2018) 902 F.3d 1031.
(Ord. 2019-1 §§ 3, 4; prior code § 6-04.030)