San Mateo County Municipal Code Ch. 5.80 Camps

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and terms shall be deemed to mean and be construed as follows:

(a) Camp. Any place, where, within the area of any one acre, ten or more persons or two or more families are occupying or living in automobiles, vehicles, camp wagons, tents, temporary buildings, or any other type of temporary shelter, or without any shelter; provided, however, that the term "camp" as used in this chapter shall not include any auto camp as defined by Section 1 of Chapter 214, of the Statutes of 1931 of the State of California, as amended.

(Prior code § 5580.1; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

In addition to the general Application of this chapter, this chapter shall apply to all sanitary districts in the County of San Mateo which do not have a like ordinance or regulation, and any sanitary inspector of such districts is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter within the limits of the district in which he is an inspector.

(Prior code § 5580.2; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

No person shall establish, construct, maintain, operate or conduct any camp, as herein defined, without first complying with the provisions of this chapter and obtaining a License as herein provided.

(Prior code § 5580.3; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

Every person before establishing, constructing, maintaining, or conducting any camp as defined in this chapter, shall first make written Application to and secure from the Board of Supervisors a License therefor. Such Application shall be made by said person, the members of such firm, co-partnership, corporation or association personally, or in the case of a corporation, by the manager or officer in or to be in actual charge of such camp. Such Application shall specify the place where it is intended to establish, construct, maintain, operate or conduct a camp, and shall state the approximate number of persons which will be staying at said camp, the area of ground on which the camp is to be maintained, the purpose of maintaining the camp, a description of the water supply, ground drainage and method of sewage disposal, and shall be signed by at least three reputable residents of the County of San Mateo, certifying to the good moral character and reputation of the person or persons making such Application.

(Prior code § 5580.4; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

Upon receipt of an Application for a License hereunder, the Board of Supervisors must thoroughly investigate the same, and must deny Application if:

(a) The Applicant, or if a co-partnership any of the members thereof, and if a corporation or association any of the officers thereof, is not a suitable person to maintain, operate or conduct a camp as herein defined;

(b) The Premises in respect to which a License is to be issued do not comply with the provisions of the health and sanitary laws, ordinances and regulations, or the provisions of this chapter;

(c) The Premises or equipment in respect to which a License is to be issued are not proper or suitable for such use;

(d) The Applicant, or if a co-partnership, any member thereof, or if a corporation, or association, any of its officers, has had a License hereunder revoked under the provisions of this chapter; or

(e) In the opinion of the Board of Supervisors the granting of such License is not consistent with public health, safety or welfare.

No License shall be granted to any person who does not bear a good character and reputation for honesty, integrity, peace and quiet in the neighborhood in which he resides.

(Prior code § 5580.5; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

The Board of Supervisors, before issuing any License under the terms of this chapter, shall first satisfy itself that the establishment, construction, maintenance, operation and conducting of any proposed camp shall not be detrimental to the public peace, safety, health or welfare, and for this purpose may refer the Application to the Director of Health and Welfare for his advice and recommendation and may consider any facts or evidence tending to enlighten said Board in this respect.

(Prior code § 5580.6; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

No Application shall be refused without permitting an opportunity to the Applicant, upon his demand to be heard and produce evidence in support of his Application. The Board of Supervisors shall not be bound to decide in accordance with the evidence taken at said hearing and may consider any objections or protests made to the issuance of said License, and may refuse said License, if in the opinion of the Board licensing of such camp would be detrimental to public health, safety, peace and welfare or the Applicant does not comply with the chapter. The determination of the Board in denying any Application shall be final and conclusive.

(Prior code § 5580.7; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

Such License shall be issued by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors upon the order of the Board granting the same.

(Prior code § 5580.8; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

Every License issued under this chapter shall set forth the name of the person to whom it is issued, shall specify the location of the Premises in respect to which the License is issued and may further provide such regulations as the Board of Supervisors deems necessary for the security of public health, peace, safety and welfare.

(Prior code § 5580.9; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

The License permitted under the provisions of this chapter shall apply only to the person or persons in whose name or names they are issued and the Premises and location therein specified. Said License shall not be transferable or assignable in any manner.

(Prior code § 5580.10; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

Only one camp as defined in this chapter shall be established, constructed, maintained, operated, or conducted under a single License.

(Prior code § 5580.11; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

After a License has been granted by the Board of Supervisors, the Director of the Health System, the sanitary inspector of any sanitary district in which a camp is located, or any duly elected or appointed peace officer of the County of San Mateo shall have the right, which right is hereby made a condition of each License, to enter upon the Premises for the purpose of inspecting said Premises from the standpoint of public health, peace, safety and welfare, and to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 5580.12; Ord. 409, 04/02/34; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91; Ord. 4438, 09/09/08)

(a) It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or person in possession of any real property to permit, allow or suffer any person or persons to establish or maintain temporary shelters in such close proximity to other temporary shelters on such real property so as to constitute a camp as defined herein unless such camp is Licensed as herein provided.

(b) No person shall resort to, live in, or remain at or in any camp established, constructed, maintained, operated or conducted in violation of the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 5580.13; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)

Board retains the right, power and privilege of revoking, for good cause, any License issued under the terms of this chapter after a hearing, of which at least three days' notice shall be given the Licensee by mail or personally. The determination of the Board to revoke such License after such hearing shall be final and conclusive.

(Prior code § 5580.14; Ord. 409, 04/02/34)