Citrus Heights Municipal Code Art. III Camping

The purpose of this article is to maintain public and private property, whether paved or unpaved, within the city in a clean, sanitary and accessible condition and to adequately protect the health, safety and public welfare of the community from the hazards associated with unpermitted or unauthorized camping, while recognizing that, subject to reasonable conditions, camping and camp facilities associated with special events can be beneficial to the cultural and educational climate in the city. The public property, including but not limited to streets, sidewalks or walkways, within the city should be readily accessible, available and free from obstruction to all 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 these areas for which they were intended. Such activity can jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of others in such a way that adversely impacts neighborhoods, public and private property and [the] general welfare of the city. Camping on private property without the express written consent of the record owner(s) and proper sanitary measures can adversely affect the rights of property owners as well as jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 1, 9-25-2024)

As used in this article, the following terms or phrases shall have the indicated meanings:

Camp means to pitch or occupy camp facilities; to use camp paraphernalia.

Camp facilities include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, any vehicle, motorhome, recreational vehicle, vehicle camping trailers or outfits, or any other temporary shelter or movable structure used for human occupancy.

Camp paraphernalia includes, but is not limited to, bed rolls, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, mattresses, hammocks, cooking facilities, or any other similar equipment that can be used to facilitate camping within the meaning of this article.

Personal property, as used in this article, refers to all non-real property, including but not limited to camp facilities, camp paraphernalia, or any temporary, unpermitted temporary shelter or movable structure.

Vehicle, for purposes of this article, shall be defined by Section 670 of the California Vehicle Code.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 2, 9-25-2024)

It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, pitch or occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia in the city, whether on public or private property, whether paved or unpaved, except as expressly permitted or authorized by this article.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 3, 9-25-2024)

(a) Except as may be permitted or authorized by the city, it is unlawful to camp, pitch or occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia upon any public property, including, without limitation, streets, easements, parks, dump sites, creek beds, electric utility substations, parking lots, or corporation yards. No person shall set up any camping facility, or any other temporary shelter or movable structure for the purpose of camping, nor shall any person leave in any such place any movable structure or vehicle of any type to be used or that could be used for such a purpose.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to sleep in any camping facility, vehicle, motorhome, recreational vehicle, or vehicle camping trailers or outfits parked on the public street, alley way, or parking area, or any privately owned parking area used for the parking of customers of any business enterprise without the express written consent of the record owner of such business enterprise.

(c) Exceptions. This section shall not apply in the following situations:

(1) On public property specifically designated by the city and clearly marked for public camping purposes.

(2) In conjunction with events authorized and expressly provided for in a special event or temporary use permit issued by the city.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 4, 9-25-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-005, § 4, adopted September 25, 2024, amended the title of § 50-503 to read as herein set out. The former § 50-503 title pertained to permitted camping.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to camp, pitch or occupy camping facilities upon private property within the city. No person shall set up any camping facility, or any other temporary shelter or movable structure for the purpose of camping, nor shall any person leave upon any private property any temporary structures, movable structures or vehicle, of any type, to be used or that could be used for such a purpose.

(b) Exceptions. This section shall not apply to persons camping, with sanitary conditions and proper waste disposal in compliance with applicable state and local laws, in the following situations:

(1) Persons camping upon their own land or camping with the record owner(s) of the land, for not more than 72 consecutive hours in duration, and not to occur more than three times per calendar year.

(2) Persons camping with the express written consent of the record owner(s) of the land, for not more than 72 consecutive hours in duration, and not to occur more than three times per calendar year, provided that such express written consent is in the person's possession at the time and is shown upon demand of any enforcement officer.

(3) Persons lawfully camping within campgrounds or trailer parks approved by the city.

(Ord. No. 2024-005, § 6, 9-25-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-005, §§ 6—10, adopted September 25, 2024, renumbered the former §§ 50-504—50-507 as §§ 50-505—50-508 and enacted a new § 50-504 as set out herein. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.

Unlawful storage of personal property in public places. It shall be unlawful for any person to store or leave unattended personal property, including but not limited to camp facilities and camp paraphernalia on public property, unless such storage or unattended personal property is expressly authorized and is used in conjunction with a permitted camping activity or special event under this article. Unattended personal property with no clear owner(s), responsible person(s), or clue to ownership to said personal property can be summarily discarded if the City, having exercised reasonable diligence to determine ownership, objectively believes, based on the totality of the circumstances, the property to be abandoned or a threat to health and safety. Unabandoned property may be seized by the city and stored consistent with city's policies and procedures, if safe to do so.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 7, 9-25-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-005, § 7, adopted September 25, 2024, renumbered the former § 50-504 as § 50-505. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.

Any campsite established in violation of this article is declared to be a public nuisance, and the city is authorized to abate the nuisance and summarily remove all camp facilities, camp paraphernalia or any other personal property that pose any health and safety risk or danger, including but not limited to risk of fire, contributes to unsanitary conditions, or may result in contamination or obstruction of public property, as authorized by law.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 8, 9-25-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-005, § 8, adopted September 25, 2024, renumbered the former § 50-505 as § 50-506. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.

The city manager or his/her designee shall develop and adopt administrative regulations that are consistent with the terms and prohibitions of this article. This shall include all policies and procedures for the abatement of unlawful camping, including the policies and procedures for ensuring safe and prompt removal of the nuisance while meeting procedural safeguards required by city, state or federal law.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 9, 9-25-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-005, § 9, adopted September 25, 2024, renumbered the former § 50-506 as § 50-507. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.

Any person who violates the provisions of this section may be subject to any of the following legal enforcement remedy, including but not limited to: Criminal prosecution of a misdemeanor or infraction, civil action, including injunctive relief, administrative enforcement actions, including administrative citation, and/or revocation of a use permit, if applicable. These remedies shall be in addition to any other remedy authorized by law.

(Ord. No. 2008-12, § 2, 10-9-2008; Ord. No. 2023-004, § 1, 9-14-2023; Ord. No. 2024-005, § 10, 9-25-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-005, § 10, adopted September 25, 2024, renumbered the former § 50-507 as § 50-508. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.