Rialto Municipal Code Ch. 9.38 Sleeping, Housekeeping or Dwelling on Public and Private Land

As used in this chapter:

A. "Camping" means residing on or using private real property or a city park or other public property for living accommodation purposes, with one's personal possessions (including but not limited to clothing, sleeping bags, bedrolls, blankets, sheets, luggage, backpacks, kitchen utensils, cookware, trailers and similar material), sleeping or making preparations to sleep, storing personal belongings as above defined, cooking or consuming meals, making any fire, erecting tents or other shelter, or living in a parked vehicle. These activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that a person(s) is using the private property or a city park or other public property as a living accommodation regardless of their intent or the nature of any other activities in which they might also be engaging.

B. "Roadside rest area or viewpoint" means a publicly maintained vehicle parking area, adjacent to a highway, utilized for the convenient, safe stopping of a vehicle to enable motorists to rest or to view the scenery.

(Ord. 1270 (part), 1997)

It is unlawful for any person to camp, occupy camping facilities or use camping paraphernalia in or on private real property or a city park or other public property, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 1270 (part), 1997)

Camping is permitted if:

A. Permission is granted for camping activity by the private property owner and such property has upon it restroom and shower facilities, and is provided with water, sewer, trash and electrical services; or

B. Within a licensed campground; or

C. Permission is granted for camping by the city council upon such terms and conditions as the city council may provide in the interest of the public health, safety and general welfare.

(Ord. 1270 (part), 1997)

Any person(s) violating any provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed six months in jail or both.

The person(s) violating this chapter and/or the property owner will also be held civilly and financially responsible for the cleanup of the encampment, and any and all costs accrued by the city.

(Ord. 1270 (part), 1997)

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared severable.

(Ord. 1270 (part), 1997)