Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 9.70 Sleeping in Public Places

Sections: 9.70.010 Purpose. 9.70.020 Definitions. 9.70.030 Sleeping in public places.

The streets and public areas within the city should be readily accessible and available to residents and the public at large. The use of these areas for camping purposes or storage of personal property interferes with the rights of others to use the areas for that for which they were intended and can constitute a public health and safety hazard which adversely impacts the city. The purpose of this chapter is to maintain public places within the city in a clean, sanitary and accessible condition and to adequately protect the health, safety and public welfare of the community. Nothing in this chapter is intended to interfere with otherwise lawful and ordinary uses of public or private property. (Ord. 5189 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3177 § 1, 1988)

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated in this section:

A. “Camp” means to place, pitch or occupy camp facilities; to live temporarily in a camp facility or outdoors; to use camp paraphernalia. (Ord. 5189 § 1, 2024)

It is unlawful for any person:

A. To camp or to place, erect, or maintain for the purpose of camping or sleeping any tent, house trailer, motorhome, camper, or any other camping facility or shelter of any kind whatsoever on any public property of this city; or

B. To sleep out of doors on any public property, including city parks, sidewalks, or city-owned parking lots and parking structures. (Ord. 5189 § 1, 2024)

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

Disclaimer: The city clerk has the official version of the Bakersfield Municipal Code. Users should contact the city clerk for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: www.bakersfieldcity.us City Telephone: (661) 326-3000

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