Carpinteria Municipal Code Ch. 8.20 Sleeping and Camping

As used in this chapter the term "vehicle" means a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(Prior code § 5301)

Subject to Section 8.20.040, no person shall sleep or camp at any time, whether inside or outside of a vehicle, in or on any:

A. Public street; or

B. Public property, except public property designated for overnight camping; or

C. Private property, including but not limited to beaches, vacant lots, parking areas and commercial properties, unless the person sleeping or camping in or on such private property:

1. Is the owner thereof or the lessee of such property or the houseguest of such owner or lessee, or

2. Has the permission of the owner of such property, his agent, or the person in lawful possession of such property, and sanitary facilities approved by the health officer of the county of Santa Barbara are available on such property to the person sleeping or camping in or on such property.

D. At all times, regardless of the availability of shelter, no person shall sleep or camp in the following places:

1. Where there is a substantial danger to any person,

2. Where there is an immediate threat and/or an unreasonable risk of harm to public health or safety, or

3. Where there is a disruption to vital government services.

(Ord. 344 § 1, 1983: prior code § 5300)

(Ord. No. 765, § 2, 5-8-2023)

A violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor or an infraction. Violators shall receive a warning prior to a citation and shall be referred to services for persons experiencing homelessness, if appropriate.

(Ord. No. 765, § 2, 5-8-2023)

Enforcement officers shall only issue a citation to enforce unauthorized camping in violation of this Chapter 8.20 to the extent permitted by, and consistent with, applicable law.

(Ord. No. 765, § 2, 5-8-2023; Ord. No. 786, § 2(Exh. A), 10-14-2024)