San Joaquin County Municipal Code Ch. 7 Prohibition Against Camping on Public Property

Camping as used in this chapter means doing any of the following beyond sixty (60) consecutive minutes or within three hundred (300) feet of any previous stopping point in a twenty-four-hour period:

(a) Erecting a tent or other form of shelter for the purpose of sleeping;

(b) Arranging bedding for the purpose of sleeping; or

(c) Use of a standing or parked vehicle for the purpose of sleeping.

(Ord. No. 4386, § 1, 1-26-2010; Ord. No. 4655, 9-24-2024)

No person shall camp on any:

(a) Public road, or

(b) Public property under the jurisdiction and/or responsibility of the county. This section shall not apply to county parks that are specifically designated for camping.

(Ord. No. 4386, § 1, 1-26-2010; Ord. No. 4655, 9-24-2024)

A violation of this section is a misdemeanor. The punishment for a person found guilty of a misdemeanor for violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be:

(a) A fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); or

(b) Imprisonment in the County jail for a term of not more than six (6) months; or

(c) Both a fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. No. 4386, § 1, 1-26-2010; Ord. No. 4655, 9-24-2024)

A violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance. The County may institute actions to abate a public nuisance under this chapter.

(Ord. No. 4386, § 1, 1-26-2010; Ord. No. 4655, 9-24-2024)

(a) The Sheriff shall identify public property where camping has created a public safety hazard and may authorize the installation of signs pursuant to this chapter.

(b) It shall be at the discretion of the peace officer enforcing this chapter to determine if the person sleeping or resting in a vehicle is doing so temporarily for safety purposes. The peace officer shall not issue a citation if the peace officer reasonably believes that the person sleeping or resting in a parked vehicle is doing so for temporary safety purposes, unless the area in which the vehicle is parked is specifically posted as a no parking area.

(Ord. No. 4386, § 1, 1-26-2010; Ord. No. 4655, 9-24-2024)