DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2026
DEPARTMENT: CITY ADMINISTRATION
FROM: LISA MURPHY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
TITLE: ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES AMENDING ARTICLES XIV AND XIII OF CHAPTER 16 OF THE SALINAS MUNICIPAL CODE, AND A RESOLUTION UPDATING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO UNLAWFUL CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to take the following actions:
Adopt an Ordinance amending Article XIV of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code to update regulations prohibiting camping on public property; Adopt an Ordinance Amending Article XIII of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code related to the storage of personal property on public property; and Approve a Resolution approving updated Administrative Procedures for the Removal of Unlawful Campsites, Bulky Items, and Personal Belongings.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The proposed Ordinance amendments and Resolution establish a coordinated regulatory and administrative framework to address encampments, and storage of personal property on public and certain private property within the City of Salinas. These actions recognize that individuals experiencing homelessness are members of our community who are facing complex and challenging circumstances. At the same time, the City has a responsibility to protect public health and safety, preserve access to public facilities, prevent damage to City infrastructure and environmental resources, and ensure that enforcement and removal activities are carried out in a clear, consistent, and legally compliant manner, with dignity and care.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, the City of Salinas has experienced a significant increase in the number and size of encampments located on public property, waterways, parks, sidewalks, rights-of-way, and adjacent to public facilities. While these encampments reflect the very real housing and social service needs within the community, their location and conditions have created challenges that affect both individuals living in encampments and the broader public, including:
Obstruction of sidewalks, streets, and access to public buildings; Accumulation of human waste, trash, hazardous materials, and drug paraphernalia; Environmental degradation of creeks and waterways;
Increased fire risk and damage to public infrastructure; and Diminished quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The City Council previously adopted Ordinances and Resolutions intended to address these issues. Since that time, legal standards have changed through court cases, operational experience, and ongoing impacts to public health and safety. These changes require updates to both the Municipal Code and the City’s administrative procedures to ensure that our actions are lawful, effective and carried out with compassion.
Ordinance Amending Article XIV of Chapter 16 - Prohibition Against Camping.
The proposed Ordinance amending Article XIV of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code is intended to clarify and strengthen prohibitions against camping on public property and other specified locations. The updates are aligned with the Governor’s recommendations regarding camping restrictions and are intended to balance compassion for individuals experiencing homelessness with the need to protect public spaces. The amendments are intended to:
Clearly define prohibited camping activities and structures on public property at any time; Protect critical infrastructure and sensitive environmental areas; Reduce public health and safety hazards associated with encampments; and Ensure public spaces remain available for their intended public use.
Ordinance Amending Article XIII of Chapter 16 – Storage of Personal Property The proposed Ordinance amending Article XIII of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code updates regulations governing storage of personal property on public property. Key updates include:
Reducing the noticing requirement regarding removal of an encampment from 72 hours to 48 hours. This is in alignment with the Governor of California recommendations; Preventing obstruction of sidewalks, streets and public rights-of-way; and Addressing public safety and sanitation concerns related to unattended or excessive property storage.
Resolution Updating City Administrative Procedures
The Resolution adopts updated Administrative Procedures to guide how City staff implements the above Ordinances. These procedures are designed to ensure that encampment removals are carried out in a consistent, transparent, and coordinated manner, with an emphasis on outreach and engagement. The procedures provide guidance regarding:
Outreach efforts and notice requirements;
Identification and handling of hazardous materials;
Removal of unlawful encampments;
Storage, retrieval, and disposal of belongings; and
Coordination among City departments and service providers.
Adoption of the two Ordinances and approval of the Resolution provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to addressing encampments and storage of personal property on public property and other locations while balancing compassion for individuals experiencing homelessness with the City’s obligation to maintain safe, accessible and healthy public spaces for the entire community.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No, Government Code §84308/Levine Act applies does not apply to this item.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Adoption of the Ordinances and approval of the Resolution meet the City Council strategic goal of promoting the health and safety of unsheltered residents, and increased collaboration with partner agencies to address public safety and public health issues.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
This was a collaborative effort between City Administration, City Attorney, Public Works, Community Development, Fire, and Public Works departments.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Implementation of the proposed amendments and the resolution will require ongoing staff time and resources related to outreach, enforcement, cleanup, storage and disposal activities. These costs are anticipated to be absorbed within existing departmental budgets.
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
N/A
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N/A
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance Amendment Article XIV
Ordinance Amendment Article XIII
Resolution Updating Administrative Procedures
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