Willits Municipal Code Ch. 12.36 Lodging in Public Streets and Places

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A. "Public place" means any park, area, yard, dump, or other facility owned by the city and open to use by the public.

B. "Street" means any street, highway, alley, lane, lot, way, or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, but shall not include any portion of a privately owned park or campground.

C. "Vehicle" means any device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a street or highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(Ord. 81-7 §2(part), 1981).

No person shall occupy or use any vehicle, or attempt to occupy or use any vehicle, for purposes of sleeping or lodging between the hours of eight p.m. and six a.m. while that vehicle is parked on any street or public place within the city without obtaining a permit therefor from the chief of police.

(Ord. 81-7 §2(part), 1981).

The chief of police may, in his discretion, issue a permit to one or more persons authorizing the occupancy or use of one or more vehicles parked on designated streets or public places for sleeping or lodging purposes, where the applicant establishes that such occupancy or use is necessary or appropriate for the temporary lodging of personnel actively participating in a community festival or celebration open to the general public. The chief of police may include in any permit issued under this section such reasonable conditions regulating the time, place and manner of the proposed occupancy or use as he may deem appropriate. No permit shall be granted under this section unless and until a written application therefor has been submitted to the chief of police on a form approved by him. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the chief of police regarding a permit application under this section may appeal that decision to the city council by submitting a written notice of appeal to the city clerk within ten days after rendition of such decision.

(Ord. 81-7 §2(part), 1981).

A violation of Section 12.36.020 is an infraction and is punishable as provided in Section 1.12.020 of this code; provided, however, that a wilful violation of Section 12.36.020 is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in Section 12.12.010.

(Ord. 81-7 §2(part), 1981).