(A) Except in designated areas, it shall be unlawful for any person to camp in any public place.
(B) In this section, the term PUBLIC PLACE means an outdoor area to which the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, parks, parking lots, alleyways, pedestrian ways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.
(C) In this section, the term CAMP means to use a public place for living or sleeping accommodation purposes such as, but not limited to any of the following:
(1) Storing personal belongings;
(2) Making a campfire;
(3) Using any tent, shelter, furniture, box, refuse, vehicle, tarp or other structure for living accommodation;
(4) Carrying on cooking activities;
(5) Doing any digging or earth breaking; or
(6) Sleeping outdoors.
(D) The activities listed in division (C) above shall constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the participants, in conducting these activities, are in fact using the area for living accommodation purposes regardless of the intent of the participants or the nature of any other activities in which they may also be engaging.
(E) It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution that a person is the person who owns the property or has secured the permission of the property owner to camp in a public area.
(F) This section does not apply to camping or cooking in a city park in compliance with park regulations.
(Ord. 2024-12, passed 5-28-24)