PUBLIC CAMPING ORDINANCE

Section 1. Purpose 

The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate camping and the establishment of temporary living accommodations on public property within the Town of Paleto Bay in order to protect public health, safety, sanitation, accessibility, and the peaceful enjoyment of public spaces while allowing for designated recreational camping and emergency accommodations when appropriate. 

Section 2. Definitions 

Camping means the use of public or private property for living accommodation purposes, including but not limited to sleeping, residing, or storing personal belongings in a manner that indicates an intent to remain overnight or for an extended period.

Camp means any tent, tarp, shelter, vehicle, recreational vehicle, sleeping bag, bedding, hammock, or other structure or arrangement used for overnight habitation.

Public Property means any street, sidewalk, alley, park, public building, right-of-way, parking lot, trail, beach, or other property owned, leased, or maintained by the Town of Paleto Bay.

Designated Camping Area means any location specifically approved by the Town for recreational or temporary camping.

Section 3. General Prohibition 

Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, no person shall establish, occupy, or maintain a camp on public property within the Town of Paleto Bay.

No person shall use public property as a permanent or semi-permanent residence.

Section 4. Overnight Sleeping 

No person shall sleep overnight in:

• Public parks;

• Sidewalks;

• Streets or alleys;

• Public parking lots;

• Government buildings;

• Public rights-of-way;

• Beaches or waterfront areas not designated for camping;

• Any other public property unless specifically authorized.

Section 5. Personal Property 

No person shall leave unattended tents, bedding, furniture, shopping carts, generators, cooking equipment, or other personal property on public property for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a camp.

Unattended property that presents a hazard or obstructs public use may be removed by the Town.

Section 6. Designated Camping Areas 

The Town Council may establish designated camping locations or authorize temporary camping during:

• Community festivals;

• Recreational events;

• Emergency evacuations;

• Disaster response operations;

• Other approved activities.

Camping in such areas shall comply with all posted rules and permit conditions.

Section 7. Emergency Shelter Exception 

Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit the temporary use of public property when:

• Necessary to protect life during a declared emergency;

• Authorized by the Town during disasters or evacuations;

• Specifically directed or approved by emergency management officials.

Such accommodations shall cease when the emergency no longer exists or alternative shelter is available.

Section 8. Vehicle Camping 

No person shall occupy a vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer, or similar conveyance on public property for overnight habitation except:

• In areas specifically designated for overnight parking;

• With written authorization from the Town;

• During officially declared emergencies.

Vehicles lawfully parked for travel rest periods not exceeding eight (8) consecutive hours shall not be considered camping unless accompanied by other indicators of habitation.

Section 9. Fires and Cooking 

No campfire, cooking fire, portable stove, or open flame shall be used on public property except:

• Within designated facilities;

• During permitted events;

• As otherwise authorized by the Town.

All fires remain subject to applicable fire safety ordinances and burn restrictions.

Section 10. Sanitation 

No person shall dispose of human waste, garbage, wastewater, or refuse in connection with camping except in approved facilities.

The accumulation of waste or unsanitary conditions constitutes a public nuisance subject to immediate enforcement.

Section 11. Removal of Camps 

The Town may remove unauthorized camps, structures, and abandoned property after providing reasonable notice when feasible.

Property posing an immediate danger to public health or safety may be removed immediately.

Reasonable efforts shall be made to preserve personal property of apparent value for retrieval for a period established by Town policy.

Section 12. Humanitarian Considerations 

Town officials are encouraged, whenever practical, to provide information regarding available shelters, social services, emergency assistance, or other community resources before pursuing enforcement against individuals camping due to hardship.

This section is advisory and does not create a legal entitlement or defense to enforcement.