(A) Purpose. It is unlawful for any person or persons to camp, lay or sleep on, upon, near or about any public lands or structures belonging to or under the control of the city after 11:00 p.m., except for such special occasions as may be allowed by the City Council, and after proper presentation therefor, as per City Code § 2.58. This section's regulations are meant strictly to regulate the use of publicly-owned property, and are not intended to regulate activities on private property.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BEDDING MATERIALS. A sleeping bag, bedroll, or other material used for bedding purposes and dry while sleeping.
CAMP or CAMPING. To set up or to remain in or at a campsite.
CAMPSITE. Any place or location established or maintained as a temporary place to live, stay, or sleep by use of any tent, lean-to, shack, tarpaulin or use of any other type of camping equipment including but not limited to any other mobile or temporary structure, including vehicles or part thereof.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Any item than can reasonably be identified as belongings to an individual.
(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to camp on any public property, including but not limited to public park, recreational area, public land, right-of-way, sidewalk, street, under any bridge or other city-owned structure, and playgrounds within the city limits for the purpose of and with the intention of using such structure as a campsite for any period of time; however, the City Council may, in its discretion, designate certain public property within the city limits which shall be available for campsites to be used as temporary living or overnight sleeping quarters.
(D) Camping on or near railroad tracks, or in a manner that obstructs or prevents the public's ability to use that public property for its intended purpose is prohibited and can in some situations result in imminent threats to life.
(E) Camping on public property within 100 feet of a privately-owned parcel zoned for residential uses or within 100 feet of a residential structure regardless of zoning is prohibited.
(F) Camping on public property within 100 feet of a designated trail or within 100 feet of a commonly used trail, regardless of zoning is prohibited.
(G) An individual may utilize public property to sleep for up to four hours in their motor vehicle. If the driver is the driver of a commercial vehicle they may sleep for up to ten hours but must be mindful of the City Code §§ 10.37(E) (Noise violations) and 9.11 (Truck parking). Anyone choosing to sleep in a motor vehicle should be aware that such actions will likely be brought to the attention of local law enforcement and will potentially result in contact with local law enforcement.
(H) Enforcement. Any camp or campsite that is determined to be in violation of this section shall be posted with a 72-hour notice to vacate the area. Law enforcement shall make reasonable efforts to notify assisting agencies to include but not limited to county social services and the CCRT (Compassionate Community Response Team) in order to obtain assistance for the individual or individuals once they have been notified of the requirement to vacate.
(Ord. passed 12-13-2022)