Marin County Municipal Code Ch. 6.90 Bolinas Beach Camping Restrictions

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 3535, § II, adopted May 4, 2010, amended ch. 6.90 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former ch. 6.90, §§ 6.90.010—6.90.050, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 3324 § 2 (part), adopted 2001; Ord. 3360 § 2 (part), adopted 2003; Ord. 3424 § 2 (part), adopted 2005; Ord. 3445 § 2 (part), adopted 2006; and Ord. 3487 § 2 (part), adopted 2008.

The board of supervisors finds that peak period use of beaches located in the Bolinas area for campground purposes have led to public disturbances, trespassing, destruction of private property and other related public health and safety problems. Use of the beaches for camping, in the absence of restrooms facilities suited to that purpose in easy access to potential camping sites, contributes to sanitation problems as well as the deposition of dangerous litter and fire hazards that interfere with safe use of the beach. This is a problem during the weekends as well as during the week. Use of the beach for camping purposes contributes to greater problems of health and sanitation due to limited beach facilities and limited county staff support. The intent of this chapter is to regulate the use of Bolinas Beach as a campground to prevent such unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

(Ord. No. 3535, § II, 2010)

A. "Bolinas Beach" means all of that area lying along the coast between the mean low water line and the top of the bluffs or highlands which rise above the sandy area of the beach (running from a point one thousand two hundred feet westerly of the terminus of Brighton Avenue and easterly and north easterly to the southwesterly terminus of Wharf Avenue) which is in public or private ownership, and which is located within the boundaries of the area more particularly identified in the aerial photograph lodged with the clerk of the board of supervisors with this chapter.

B. "To camp" and "camping" means to establish or maintain a temporary place for sleeping, which includes, but is not limited to, the use, or storage for use, of sleeping bags, bedding materials, blankets, sheets, or other nonclothing items utilized or available for use to maintain warmth and comfort for sleep by a Bolinas Beach visitor. The terms "to camp" and "camping" are not intended to include incidental use of towels, blankets and other materials for sunbathing, picnicking, or nighttime use of the beach other than for establishing or maintaining a temporary place for sleeping.

C. "Sunbathing" means to lie on the beach with the intent of being warmed by the sun and/or for relaxation purposes.

D. "Picnicking" means to eat a meal outdoors.

(Ord. No. 3535, § II, 2010)

It is unlawful to camp as defined in this chapter on any Bolinas Beach as defined in this chapter at any time.

(Ord. No. 3535, § II, 2010)

Any person determined to have violated any of the provisions contained in this chapter is guilty of an infraction punishable upon a first offense with a fine of one hundred dollars. Any person determined to have violated any of the provisions contained in this chapter upon a second offense within one year is guilty of an infraction punishable with a fine of two hundred dollars. Any person who violates any of the provisions contained in this chapter upon a third offense within one year is guilty of an infraction punishable with a fine of five hundred dollars. Any person who violates any of the provisions contained in this chapter upon a fourth or additional violation of this chapter within one year is guilty of a misdemeanor as provided in Section 1.04.160 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 3535, § II, 2010)