Palm Desert Municipal Code Ch. 9.26 Unlawful Camping

The purpose of this chapter is to maintain public and private streets and developed and undeveloped areas within the city in a clean, safe and accessible condition for residents and the public at large; to promote and protect human sanitation and health while preserving appropriate recreational opportunities within the community; and to discourage or prevent the secondary impacts of vagrancy such as crime, visual blight, poor sanitation, disease and discouragement of desirable economic activity and economic development while accommodating circumstances of necessity.

(Ord. 1197 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1445, 4/23/2026)

Unless the particular provisions or context requires otherwise, the definitions contained in this section shall govern the construction, meaning, and application of words and phrases in this chapter.

"Camp"

means to pitch, sleep in or occupy camp facilities or to use camp paraphernalia for the purpose of temporary or permanent human habitation or domicile. "Camp" shall not mean the use of any facilities or equipment which are used solely in connection with a special event or temporary use conducted in accordance with a permit by the city under other provisions of this code.

"Camp facilities"

include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, or temporary shelters, trailers, and any other vehicle.

"Camp paraphernalia"

includes, but is not limited to, collapsible shelters, cots, beds, sleeping bags, bed rolls, hammocks or barbeques, open fires, portable stoves or other cooking equipment not provided or approved by the city.

"Store"

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

(Ord. 1197 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1445, 4/23/2026)

A. It is unlawful for any person to camp in the following areas within the city, except as otherwise provided:

1. Any public or private street or right-of-way, including sidewalks, bus stops and public landscaping;

2. Any parking lot, yard, building setback, vacant land, open space or any other area open or accessible to the public, improved or unimproved;

3. In, on, under, or adjacent to any structure located on public property or private property open or accessible to the public that is not intended for human occupancy, whether with or without bedding, including, but not limited to, a tent, hammock or other similar protection or equipment; and

4. In, on, under, or adjacent to a parked vehicle located on public property or private property open or accessible to the public, including, but not limited to, an automobile, bus, truck, camper, trailer, or recreational vehicle.

B. It is unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate on public or private property in an area exposed to public view or on any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, or any other public place except in a public restroom.

(Ord. 1197 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1445, 4/23/2026)

A. It is unlawful for any person to store personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, in the following areas, except as otherwise provided:

1. Any park;

2. Any street or right-of-way, including sidewalks, bus stops, and public landscaping;

3. Any parking lot, yard, building setback, vacant land, open space or any other area open or accessible to the public, improved or unimproved.

(Ord. 1197 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1445, 4/23/2026)

A. This chapter shall not apply to camping in a public or commercial campground legally and lawfully approved and permitted for that purpose and in compliance with all laws, regulations, and conditions of approval for such a facility.

B. This chapter shall not apply to events for which a temporary use permit has been approved by the city.

(Ord. 1197 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1445, 4/23/2026)

A. It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. In addition to other remedies provided by law, any person violating any provision of the chapter for failing to comply with any of the requirements is deemed guilty of an infraction in accordance with Chapter 1.12 of this code.

B. Each person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day, or any portion thereof, during which any violation of or failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person, and each instance shall be deemed punishable as provided in this chapter.

C. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed as permitting conduct not prescribed herein and shall not affect the enforceability of any other applicable provisions of law.

(Ord. 1197 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1445, 4/23/2026)