La Puente Municipal Code Ch. 3.70 Camping

Sections:

• 3.70.010 Definitions.

• 3.70.020 Purpose.

• 3.70.030 Unlawful camping.

• 3.70.040 Storage of camp paraphernalia.

• 3.70.050 Use of vehicles for human habitation.

• 3.70.060 Declaration of public nuisance.

• 3.70.070 Penalty for violation; enforcement.

For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Camp” or “camping” means the use of land or premises for temporary living accommodation purposes for periods of more than eight hours and/or overnight, “camp” or “camping” means the use of land or premises for temporary living accommodation purposes for periods of more than eight hours and/or overnight, including to place, pitch, or use camp facilities or camp paraphernalia for such purposes. Such use constitutes camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the area is being used as a living accommodation regardless of the intent of the person(s) using such area, and regardless of any other activities in which they may also be engaging. Such use constitutes camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the area is being used as a living accommodation regardless of the intent of the person(s) using such area, and regardless of any other activities in which they may also be engaging.

(b) “Camp facilities” includes, but is not limited to, tents, huts, motor vehicles, camp cars, camp trailers, campers, house cars, recreational vehicles or temporary structures, when established, maintained or operated to camp for periods of more than eight hours or overnight.

(c) “Camp paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to, bedrolls, blankets, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, sheets, mattresses, bedding, tents, hammocks, items used for cooking food or similar equipment. Camp paraphernalia also includes other personal effects, when used or stored with camp paraphernalia as described herein.

(d) “Code” or “this code” means the La Puente Municipal Code.

(e) “Establish” means setting up or moving equipment, supplies or materials on to public or private property to camp.

(f) “Human habitation” means the use of a parked motor vehicle or recreational vehicle to camp.

(g) “Maintain” means keeping or permitting equipment, supplies or materials to remain on public or private property in order to camp or operate camp facilities.

(h) “Operate” means participating or assisting in establishing or maintaining a camp or camp facility.

(i) “Overnight” means between the hours of sunset to sunrise.

(j) “Private property” means all private property including, but not limited to, private streets, sidewalks, alleys, and privately owned improved or unimproved land.

(k) “Public property” means all public property including, but not limited to, public streets, sidewalks, alleys, and improved or unimproved publicly owned land and parks.

(l) “Recreational vehicle” shall have the meaning given that term by California Health and Safety Code Section 18010 or as such section may be amended from time to time.

(m) “Special occupancy park” or “mobile home park” means any area of land within the city licensed pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code as a mobile home park, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18214, or a special occupancy park as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18862.43, in which space is rented or held out for camping.

(n) “Store” means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in location.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)

The purpose of this chapter is to maintain streets, parks and other public and private areas within the city in safe, clean, sanitary and accessible condition in order to adequately protect the health, safety and public welfare of the community, and to limit camping to circumstances that do not create public and private nuisances or have adverse public safety impacts.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)

It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp, establish, maintain, operate or occupy camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia in the following areas:

(a) Any public property; or

(b) Any private property, provided, however, that this prohibition does not apply to:

(1) Overnight camping on private residential property by friends or family of the property owner or person in lawful possession of the property, so long as the owner or lawful occupant consents, overnight camping does not exceed all or part of fourteen days within any period of six consecutive months, and/or the camping does not create a public or private nuisance;

(2) Camping in mobile home parks and special occupancy parks; and

(3) Camping on public or private property in connection with events authorized or expressly provided for in a special event or temporary use permit issued by the city.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)

It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to store camp paraphernalia in the following areas:

(a) Any public property; or

(b) Outside a structure on any private property without the prior written consent of the owner.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)

It is unlawful for any person to use any motor vehicle or recreational vehicle for human habitation on or in any public or private street, alley, or parking area or any public or privately owned off-street parking facility/area which is held open for common public use.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)

Pursuant to the city's police powers authorized in Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution, as well as under the city of La Puente Municipal Code and other provisions of California law, including, but not limited to, California Government Code Section 3.8771, the city council hereby declares that violation of this chapter constitutes a public nuisance.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)

(a) Any violation of this chapter shall be deemed an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars, for a first offense, and, for a second or subsequent offense, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed three months or by both fine and imprisonment.

(b) In addition, the city may enforce the violation by means of a civil enforcement through a restraining order, a preliminary or permanent injunction, or administrative enforcement, including issuance of administrative fines authorized by Chapter 1.12 of this code, public nuisance abatement pursuant to Chapter 3.20 of this code or by other means available by law.

(c) Each day that violation of this chapter exists shall be deemed a new and separate offense.

(Ord. 886 § 2 (part), 2009)