West Sacramento Municipal Code Ch. 8.36 Camping Within the City Limits

The purpose of this chapter is to protect public and private property within the city from the detrimental impacts that accompany unauthorized camping on public and private property. It also is enacted to ensure that proper health and safety accommodations be provided to those who do camp. It is enacted to prevent degradation of public and private lands and assure that such lands can be utilized for their intended purpose. The city council enacts this chapter in accordance with the authority granted to cities by Article XI, Section 11 of the California Constitution.

In enacting this chapter, the city is cognizant that unauthorized camping may be used by homeless persons as a form of housing. The city also recognizes that homeless persons are entitled to be treated with the same human dignity as all city residents. It is, therefore, the city's goal, when circumstances permit, to implement a coordinated approach to addressing unauthorized camping under this chapter, which may include offering referrals to housing alternatives and social services available within the city and Yolo County prior to or concurrent with initiating enforcement activities under this chapter.

(Ord. 95-13 § 1; Ord. 16-8 § 2)

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases as used in this chapter are defined in this section.

"Camp"

means to place, pitch or occupy camp facilities, or to use camp paraphernalia at any time of day or night, when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that a person or persons intend to use or is using public or private property as a temporary or permanent living accommodation.

"Camp facilities"

include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, vehicles, vehicle camping outfits or temporary shelters.

"Camp paraphernalia"

includes, but is not limited to, bedrolls, tarpaulins, cots, beds, mattresses, sleeping bags, hammocks or cooking facilities and similar equipment.

"Store"

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

(Ord. 95-13 § 1; Ord. 16-8 § 2)

Except as may be permitted within parks and community facilities by the parks and recreation director, it is unlawful to camp on any public property owned by the city, Port of West Sacramento, or state of California, including, without limitation, upon streets, easements, parks, dump sites, creek beds, electric utility substations, parking lots or corporation yards. Violation of this section shall be charged as a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 95-13 § 1; Ord. 16-8 § 2)

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to camp upon private property within the city. Violation of this section shall be charged as a misdemeanor.

B. Exceptions.

1. This section shall not apply to persons camping upon their own land or camping with the owner of the land, or to persons camping with the written consent of the owner of the land, if all of the following conditions are met:

a. Such use of the property is allowed under the city's zoning ordinance;

b. The written consent of the property owner is in the possession of the camper at all times and is shown upon demand of any peace officer;

c. Camping is limited to not more than seven consecutive days in any one month period, with any portion of a day counting as a full camping day; and

d. All applicable local ordinances of the city and county, and all Health Code sections of the state, are complied with.

2. This section shall not apply to persons lawfully camping within campgrounds or trailer parks specifically designated and/or approved for such use pursuant to the zoning ordinance of the city.

(Ord. 95-13 § 1; Ord. 16-8 § 2)

A. No person shall kindle or maintain an open campfire or bonfire.

B. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit fires otherwise prohibited by law or to negate the requirement for burning permits otherwise required by law.

(Ord. 95-13 § 1; Ord. 16-8 § 2)

It is unlawful for any person to store personal property, including, but not limited to, camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, in the following areas, except as otherwise designated by the city:

A. Any public property owned by the city, Port of West Sacramento, or state of California, including, without limitation, upon streets, easements, parks, dump sites, creek beds, electric utility substations, parking lots or corporation yards; or

B. Any private property without the written consent of the owner.

(Ord. 16-8 § 2)