El Centro Municipal Code Art. VIII Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Places

The following words and phrases whenever used in this article, shall be construed as defined in this section:

Camp means to pitch or occupy camp facilities to live temporarily in a camp facility or outdoors; to use camp paraphernalia.

Camp facilities include, but are not limited to tents, huts, or temporary shelters.

Camp paraphernalia includes, but is not limited to tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks or non-city designated cooking facilities and similar equipment.

Park means the same as defined in section 19-1 of this Code.

Store means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in a location.

Street means the same as defined in section 24-2 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 95-14, § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia in the following areas, except as otherwise provided:

(1) Any park;

(2) Any street;

(3) Any public parking lot or public area, improved or unimproved.

(Ord. No. 95-14, § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to store personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by resolution of the city council:

(1) Any park;

(2) Any street;

(3) Any public parking lot or public area, improved or unimproved.

(Ord. No. 95-14, § 1)

(i) Violations of this article shall be a misdemeanor.

(ii) Notwithstanding, although the penalty for violation of this article VIII is a misdemeanor, under the authority provide by section 1-12, the city attorney may reduce that misdemeanor to an infraction when appropriate to do so.

(iii) The city shall adopt policies and procedures to support the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 95-14, § 1; Ord. No. 25-04, § 2, 8-19-25)