Article XIV — Squatter Camps

§ 19-167. Definitions. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

Unless otherwise expressly stated, whenever used in this article, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

• (a) HEALTH OFFICER — The health officer of the City and his duly authorized representatives and deputies.

• (b) — An area or parcel of land upon which any person has settled or located, or which he occupies, without having a bona fide claim or color of title thereto, or without the express consent of the owner or person legally in charge thereof or the agent of the same, and which is occupied or inhabited in violation of Chapter 7 of this Code (Building Regulations), or the State Housing Act of the State of California, (Sections 15000 through 17902, as amended, of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California). It includes any tent camp space, house court and every other kind of camp, tent, shelter, or structure, or collection of tents, shelters, or structures of any kind established, constructed, maintained, or operated thereon.

• (c) SQUATTER — One who settles or locates on land enclosed or unenclosed with no bona fide claim or color of title or without the expressed consent of the owner or person legally in charge of the land.

§ 19-168. Unlawful occupancy. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

No person shall settle or locate on or occupy any land without a bona fide claim or color of title thereto, or without the express consent of the owner or person legally in charge of said land, or erect or construct any tent, shelter or structure of any kind thereon.

§ 19-169. Enforcement by owner and person in charge of property. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

It shall be the duty of both the owner and the person legally in charge of the land upon which any squatter camp is located to see that all of the provisions of this article are complied with.

§ 19-170. Nuisance. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

Every squatter camp as defined in Subsection (b) of § 19-167 is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Such nuisance may be abated in the manner provided by law for the abatement of public nuisances.

§ 19-171. Procedure for abatement of nuisance. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

The health officer is hereby authorized to abate such nuisance under the following alternative and supplemental procedure:

• (a) The health officer may serve notice upon the owner or person in charge of the property upon which said squatter camp is located. Such notice shall be in writing and must be signed by the health officer, must be served upon the owner or the person in charge of the property upon which said squatter camp is located according to the provisions of Section 1162 of the Code of Civil Procedure of California. Such notice shall require that said squatter camp be completely abandoned, abated, closed and vacated and demolished within three days from the date of service of notice upon the owner or operator or person in charge thereof. Failure or refusal on the part of any such owner or person in charge of such squatter camp to abate, vacate and close it in compliance with such written notice shall

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OA4108 on 2026-07-07

City of Oakdale, CA § 19-171

OAKDALE CITY CODE

§ 19-173

constitute a violation of this article.

• (b) Upon such failure or refusal on the part of the owner or person in charge of the land upon which the squatter camp is located, the health officer may enter the said property and post notices notifying all persons that said squatter camp is condemned as a public nuisance and that all persons shall immediately vacate the premises upon which such squatter camp space is located. Any person who shall thereafter enter in or upon or make any use of such squatter camp shall be guilty of a violation of this article.

• (c) In case the health officer is unable to ascertain or find the owner of the land upon which any such squatter camp is located, or where no person is in charge of the same, or where the owner of the land refuses to act, as an alternative procedure, the health officer may notify all squatters within such squatter camp that the same has been condemned and to remove therefrom immediately. In addition to such oral notification, the health officer shall post a written notice at a conspicuous place, within said squatter camp, notifying all squatters to forthwith and immediately remove therefrom and vacate said squatter camp. Failure or refusal of any person to comply with such notice shall be a violation of this article.

§ 19-172. Enforcement by City. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

For the purpose of securing enforcement of this article, the health officer and any of his duly authorized representatives or any law enforcement officer shall have the right to enter upon any public or private property, including any building or habitation, in the City, to inspect all accommodations and installations thereon or therein which may be covered by the provisions of this article.

§ 19-173. Burden of proof. [Ord. No. 1242-16 § 3.]

In any prosecution, and in any action to abate or enjoin any nuisance or other acts under this article, the burden of proving bona fide claim to land, color of title to land, or permission from the owner or person in charge of land, shall rest upon the person occupying the land, squatter camp or space involved.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OA4108 on 2026-07-07

City of Oakdale, CA § 19-174

OFFENSES – MISCELLANEOUS

§ 19-174