(A) The streets and public areas with the city need to be readily accessible and available to residents and the general public at large. The use of these areas for camping purposes or storage of personal property interferes with the rights of others to use these areas for which they were intended. Such activity can also constitute a public health and safety hazard which adversely impacts other members of the public and private lands, streets, sidewalks, alleys, ways, creeks, waterways, parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, plazas, open spaces, lots, parcels and other public and private areas within the city in a clean, sanitary and accessible condition and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community, while recognizing that, subject to reasonable conditions, camping and camping facilities associated with special events can be beneficial to the cultural and educational well-being of city residents.
(B) Nothing in this chapter is intended to interfere with otherwise lawful and ordinary uses of public or private property.
(C) The unauthorized or inappropriate use of outdoor cooking equipment, open flame, fires or stoves of any sort typically associated with camping creates a major fire threat to life, safety and property, including public and private property, open lands and hillsides. Illegal campsites are typically located in areas where high levels of combustible vegetation are located (e.g., wooded areas) which creates an even higher level of a fire threat.
(D) Camping adjacent to, within or below the top of banks or creeks or streams poses a health and safety risk from potential flooding, proximity to unstable banks with slippage potential, health risks from human waste entering into creeks, streams or other waterways and the risk of damage to environmentally sensitive habitat and species known to exist in some portions of the city, such as creeks, streams, waterways and wetlands.
(E) Unauthorized camping near bicycle paths within the city also increases the potential for crimes against persons using the bicycle path.
(F) It is not the intent or purpose of this chapter to prohibit overnight, temporary camping on private residentially zoned property when located on the same lot as an existing single-family residence. Temporary camping shall be defined as occasional and not for a period of more than seven consecutive days.
(Ord. 43-21, passed 7-12-2021)