Chapter 10.14
PROHIBITION AGAINST CAMPING IN PUBLIC PLACES

Sections:

10.14.010    Definitions.

10.14.020    Camping in Prohibited Public Places.

10.14.010 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning set forth in this section:

“Beach” or “beaches” means any public ocean front or bay front beach within the City, including ocean or bay public piers, public floats, public wharves, or public strands adjoining public ocean front or bay front beach areas.

“Camp” means to use property for living accommodation purposes or to use a vehicle for human habitation. A person shall be considered to be using property for living accommodation purposes if the person admits they are camping; the person is using a camp facility or camping paraphernalia between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to live outdoors or remain outdoors overnight; or, based on the totality of the circumstances, it is established that a person is using the property to live, dwell or reside, which is exemplified by the person sleeping or preparing to sleep outdoors; the person having with them damaged recreational equipment that cannot be used for its intended purpose; the person having with them camp stoves, pots, pans, or other cooking equipment in an area that is not designated for cooking; the person having with them a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, blanket, pillow, bedroll or other similar bedding; the person having with them trash, recyclables, rubbish, or other garbage; the person having with them human waste, animal waste or medical waste that is stored in buckets, bottles or similar containers; and/or the person bathing or grooming themself outside of facilities designated for these purposes. A person shall be considered to be using a vehicle for human habitation if: the person admits they are using the vehicle to camp; or, based on the totality of the circumstances, it is established that a person is using the vehicle to live, dwell or reside, which is exemplified by the person continuously remaining inside the vehicle at the same location for two hours or more; the person sleeping in the vehicle; the inability of a person outside the vehicle to view through two or more windows because the view is limited or blocked; the inability to use seating in the vehicle because a large volume of personal belongings, trash, rubbish, or garbage is stored in the vehicle; the person preparing or cooking meals inside or on the vehicle; the person bathing or grooming inside the vehicle; the storage of items inside or on a vehicle that are not associated with ordinary use of the vehicle such as a sleeping bag, bedroll, blanket, sheet, pillow, kitchen utensil, cookware, cooking equipment or furniture; the use of buckets, bottles or similar containers to hold bodily fluids; and/or having furniture set up in or around the vehicle, such as chairs, tables, umbrellas or portable cooking equipment.

“Camp facility” or “camp facilities” means any or a combination of the following: a tent, hut, other temporary physical structure or shelter, cot, bed, or hammock.

“Camping paraphernalia” means items that facilitate living outside including items that are used for: sleeping, such as sleeping bags, sleeping pads, blankets, pillows, bedrolls, or other similar bedding; cooking, such as camp stoves, pots, pans, or other cooking equipment; storage, such as backpacks, luggage, or coolers; sitting, such as moveable chairs; and lighting, such as headlamps, a lantern, or flashlights.

“Prohibited public place” means any public property that is not designated for camping by resolution of the City Council or other governmental entity having jurisdiction over the property.

“Public property” means all property owned or controlled by the State, the County, the City, or other public entity including, but not limited to, any publicly owned or controlled building, structure, restroom, bridges, beach, parking garage, parking lot, passageway, pier, public rights-of-way, driveway, landscaped area, parkway, median, greenbelt, open space, public park, or park facility.

“Public rights-of-way” or “public right-of-way” means the area or areas on, below, or above a public roadway, public, highway, public street, public sidewalk, public path, public trail, public square or plaza, public bike lane or path, public boardwalk, public alleyway, or a utility easement in which the City has interest.

“Store” means to put aside or to keep, to accumulate for use when needed, or to put for safekeeping.

“Vehicle” means a “motor vehicle” as defined by Cal. Veh. Code Section 415, a “recreational vehicle” as defined by Cal. Health & Saf. Code Section 18010(a), a “camper trailer” as defined in Cal. Veh. Code Section 242, a “house car” as defined in Cal. Veh. Code Section 362 or a “trailer coach” as defined in Cal. Veh. Code Section 635. (Ord. 2024-19 § 4, 2024; Ord. 2023-22 § 441, 2023; Ord. 2023-11 § 2, 2023)

10.14.020 Camping in Prohibited Public Places.

A.    No person shall camp in a prohibited public place.

B.    No person shall start, build, or use a fire in a prohibited public place for any purpose including, but not limited to, warming or cooking, unless authorized or permitted to do so by formal action of the City Council, the written consent of the City Manager, or the provisions of this Code. (Ord. 2024-19 § 5, 2024; Ord. 2023-11 § 2, 2023)