Camping Ordinance Second ReadingMarch 27, 2023
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Background
GROVERBEACH.ORG
January 23rd Council update on City response to homelessness Update highlighted City efforts to support shelter spaces and encampment cleaning Draft Ordinance shared to regulate time, place, and manner of vehicle and tent camping on public and private property’ First reading of Ordinance on March 13 with public hearing and second reading tonight If adopted, Ordinance would go into effect in 30 days
City’s Overall Approach to Homelessness
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Compassion
Order
Housing and Homelessness Major City Goal
Housing Assistance
Cabins for Change
Barca Street Facility
Encampment Cleaning
Fencing & Parking Restrictions
Camping Ordinance
Camping Ordinance
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Council directed staff on November 14 to consider following options in drafting a camping ordinance:
Prohibiting camping in certain locations such as El Camino Real area while designating defined permitted camping areas on public property or vacant property that could be purchased for this purpose Establishing limited camping hours at certain locations and requiring belongings to be removed outside of the hours Restricting belongings and supplies allowed when sleeping in public spaces to tents, blankets, pillows and sleeping bags to help enforce additional case law through Johnson v. Grants Pass, 50 F.4th 787 (2022) decision.
Camping Ordinance
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Goal of establishing legally-defensible approach to regulating camping on public and private property given lack of sufficient space Chapter 14 sets forth findings and purpose of the City’s homelessness response policy Chapter 14.1 regulates use of vehicles for human habitation on public property including use of vehicles or tent camps on private property Chapter 14.2 regulates camping on public rights-of-way and City property
Ordinance Chapter 14.1
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Prohibits use of any vehicle for human habitation on public property between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Prohibits use of any vehicle for human habitation within 200 feet of a residence and 500 feet of a school Does not prohibit use of a vehicle for habitation on a public street if authorized by City Manager pursuant to established rules and regulations Allows for temporary parking of vehicles and camping on private property with regulations
Ordinance Chapter 14.2
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Prohibits camping on City-owned public property unless authorized by the City Manager who can designate allowed areas where camping can occur Camping in allowed areas on City-owned public property may only occur for 24 hours at a time after which relocation at least 600 feet away required within 72 hours Campsites must be 1,000 feet from any homeless facility or shelter and 200 feet from any residence based on property line Campsites may not obstruct City rights-of-way, are limited to only 144 square feet in size, and must be at least 150 feet apart
Ordinance Chapter 14.2
GROVERBEACH.ORG
No structures or equipment may be used other than tents, sleeping bags/bedding, and flameless cooking stoves and devices No propane tanks, open flames, recreational fires, or burning of garbage allowed Violations of ordinance may be cited with criminal or administrative citation with continued violations may be grounds for closing campsite with 72 hours of notice
Summary
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Ordinance represents lengthy collaboration of various City departments with focus on progress and results Other upcoming enforcement actions include:
Installation of fencing at the Margarita Avenue/Charles Street access point “No Parking” restrictions along North 4th Street near the city limits Further access restrictions along El Camino Real
Staff would plan to bring a review of the Ordinance implementation in late 2023 or early 2024
Recommendation
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Conduct a Second Reading and public hearing and adopt an Ordinance repealing Chapter 14 of Article III (Public Welfare, Morals and Conduct); adding new Chapters 14, 14.1 and 14.2; and repealing Section 5210 of Article V (Sanitation and Health) of the Grover Beach Municipal Code to regulate camping and vehicle habitation on public rights-of-way and public and private property Pending adoption, Police would conduct outreach with homeless individuals in all areas including El Camino Real Effective date of Ordinance would be April 27
Camping Ordinance
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Questions or Comments
Setbacks
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG
GROVERBEACH.ORG