Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 8.24 Camping

A. It is unlawful for any person to sleep in any vehicle parked any place in the city between ten p.m. and six a.m. of the following day where such activity is not specifically approved by this code.

B. It is unlawful for any person to sleep on any beach or on any public property not specifically approved for this activity by this code between ten p.m. and six a.m. of the following day or on any private property without the written permission of the owner in their possession.

C. It is unlawful for any person to erect, occupy or maintain any tent, tent camp, tent trailer, the living quarters of any camper, house car, bus, camp trailer, utility trailer or trailer coach, in any area where such activity is not specifically permitted between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m. of the following day.

D. Tent camping and all classes of recreational vehicle camping, dry or otherwise, are prohibited along Embarcadero Road, including Tidelands Park, and along Coleman Drive, up to and including Morro Rock parking lots. This shall not affect any current private business.

(Ord. 203 § 1, 1981: Ord. 98 § 1, 1971: Ord. 59 § 1 (part), 1967: prior code § 11701)

(Ord. No. 648, § 2, 3-22-22)

Official signs may be posted specifying that camping is prohibited in designated areas. Upon motion of the city council, signs may be posted permitting camping at all times or for any specified period of time.

(Ord. 98 § 2, 1971: Ord. 59 § 1 (part), 1967: prior code § 11702)

A. Any person who is convicted of violation of any provision of this chapter is guilty of an infraction punishable as provided in Chapter 1.16 of this code, with the exception of any person who is convicted of violation of Section 8.24.010(A), or Section 8.24.010(C) in regards to a "tent trailer, the living quarters of any camper, house car, bus, camp trailer, utility trailer or trailer coach," is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Chapter 1.16 of this code. For purposes of this chapter, a "camper" or "house car" shall also expressly refer to a "recreational vehicle."

B. When any violation of this chapter punishable as a misdemeanor is enforced through the administrative citation program provided for in Chapter 1.03 of this code, such enforcement (notwithstanding any contrary provision in Chapter 1.03 of this code):

1. Does not require a warning as a prerequisite to the issuance of a first administrative citation; and

2. Shall, unless otherwise set forth in a schedule of fines established by resolution of the city council, have the amounts of the fines levied as follows:

a. Two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation;

b. Five hundred dollars for a second violation within the consecutive 12-month period after the date of the first violation; and

c. One thousand dollars for each additional violation within the consecutive 12-month period after the date of the first violation.

(Ord. 311. Exh. A (part), 1987: Ord. 226 § 1, 1982)

(Ord. No. 636, § 2, 8-25-20; Ord. No. 638, § 2, 9-8-20)