Yolo County Municipal Code Ch. 13 Camping Within the Unincorporated Area of Yolo County

* Chapter 12, added by Ordinance No. 1189, was renumbered to Chapter 13 by codifier as Chapter 12 is already in use.

The purpose of this chapter is to protect public and private property within the unincorporated area of the County from the destruction that accompanies camping. It is also enacted to ensure that proper health and safety accommodations are 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 Board of Supervisors enacts this chapter in accordance with the authority granted to counties by Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution. (§ 1, Ord. 1189, eff. August 22, 1996)

For purposes of this chapter, camping is defined as residing in or using any public or private property for one or more nights for living accommodation purposes, such as sleeping activities or making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping), or storing personal belongings (including, but not limited to clothing, sleeping bags, bed rolls, blankets, sheets, luggage, backpacks, kitchen utensils, cookware, and similar material), or making any fire or using any tents, regularly cooking meals, 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 public or private property as a living accommodation for one or more nights, with intent to camp. (§ 1, Ord. 1189, eff. August 22, 1996)

Except as may be permitted within parks by the Park and Recreation Director, it is unlawful to camp or squat upon any public property owned or maintained by the County, including, without limitation, streets, easements, parks, dump sites, creek beds, electric utility substations, parking lots, or corporation yards. No person shall set up tents, shacks, house trailers, motor homes, campers, or any other temporary or permanent shelter for the purpose of overnight camping or squatting, nor shall any person leave in any such place any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such a purpose, such as a house trailer, tent, automobile, or the like. Violation of this section shall be charged as a misdemeanor. (§ 1, Ord. 1189, eff. August 22, 1996)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to camp or squat upon private property within the unincorporated area of the County. No person shall set up tents, shacks, campers, or any other temporary or permanent shelter for the purpose of overnight camping or squatting, nor shall any person leave upon any private property any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such a purpose, such as a tent or automobile, or the like. Violation of this section shall be charged as a misdemeanor.

Exceptions. 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, provided that such written consent is in their possession at the time and is shown upon demand of any peace officer, and provided that all local zoning ordinances of the County are met and all Health Code sections of the State are complied with. This section shall not apply to persons lawfully camping within campgrounds or trailer parks specifically designated or approved for such use pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance of the County. (§ 1, Ord. 1189, eff. August 22, 1996)

No person shall kindle or maintain an open campfire or bonfire, except on park property as designated by the Parks and Recreation Director.

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. (§ 1, Ord. 1189, eff. August 22, 1996)