Banning Municipal Code Ch. 12.44 Camping

Camping may be permitted in the City of Banning only under the following circumstances:

A. Camping in public areas specifically set aside and clearly marked for public camping purposes;

B. City sponsored recreational programs;

C. Camping:

1. In the yard of a residence with the consent of the owner or occupant of the residence, where the camping is in the rear yard, or in an area of a side yard or front yard that is separated from view from the street by a fence, hedge or other obstruction. No particular location shall be used for camping under this provision for more than three days during any one calendar month;

2. Inside of a licensed and registered motor vehicle in the parking lot on the site of a religious institution with the written consent of such institution, where the driver/occupant of such vehicle is in possession of a valid driver's license, provided that no more than three vehicles shall be permitted at any one location;

3. Inside of a licensed and registered motor vehicle in the parking lot on the site of a business institution in a non-residential district with the written consent of both the business institution and property owner, where the driver/occupant of such vehicle is in possession of a valid driver's license, provided that no more than two vehicles shall be permitted at any one location. No particular location shall be used for camping under this provision for more than three days during any one calendar month; or

4. Inside a licensed and registered vehicle in a residential off-street driveway with the written consent of the owner and occupant of the residence, where the driver/occupant of such vehicle is in possession of a valid driver's license, provided that no more than one vehicle shall be permitted at any one location. No particular location shall be used for camping under this provision for more than three days during any one calendar month.

D. Camping in a lawfully established and operated campground; or

E. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, camping shall not be permitted where it is conducted in such a manner as to create noise, inadequate sanitation, or other matters offensive to persons of ordinary sensibility; nor where the camping is of such frequency, intensity or duration as to constitute a use of land prohibited by any provision of this Code; nor where the camping activity would be prohibited under any other provision of this Code concerning use of mobilehomes; nor where the covenants, conditions and restrictions of a duly organized homeowners association would prohibit the activity in the residential area subject to the covenants, conditions and restrictions.

(Code 1965, § 15-40.)

A. The city manager or his or her designee may issue a permit authorizing persons or groups to camp in the parking lot of Dysart Park upon a finding that the applicant has met the city's requirements for:

1. Parking and traffic control;

2. Toilet and other sanitary facilities;

3. Security;

4. Liability insurance;

5. Garbage collection and cleanup;

6. Security and cleanup deposits;

7. Such other public health, safety and general welfare matters as may be raised by the camping application; and

8. Environmental compliance according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the city's CEQA Guidelines.

B. Except as set forth in subsection C of this section, no person or group may camp in a city park under authority of this section for more than three nights in any twelve months. No permit shall be required for security guards who camp in a city park incident to a lawful event.

C. Where the camping activity is taking place in conjunction with an authorized and permitted restoration or conservation project being performed by campers at or near the campsite, the city manager or his or her designee may permit an individual or group to camp in the afore-referenced city park for a period of time in excess of that prescribed in subsection B of this section.

D. To ensure the fair and consistent application of this section, the city manager or his or her designee shall promulgate regulations defining the criteria for permit issuance contained in this section.

(Code 1965, § 15-41.)