Chapter 9.52
REGULATION OF CAMPING
Sections:
9.52.020 Storage of personal property in public spaces.
9.52.030 Prohibited vehicle habitation.
9.52.050 Penalty for violations.
9.52.060 Parked recreational vehicles exempt.
9.52.010 Unlawful camping.
It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by ordinance or rule:
A. Any park;
B. Any street or right-of-way;
C. Any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)
9.52.020 Storage of personal property in public spaces.
It shall be unlawful for any person to store personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by ordinance or rule:
A. Any park;
B. Any street or right-of-way;
C. Any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)
9.52.030 Prohibited vehicle habitation.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remain or reside in a parked vehicle in or upon any prohibited area for a period of more than 48 hours. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)
9.52.040 Definitions.
The following definitions are applicable in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
A. “Camp” means to pitch or occupy camp facilities, use camp paraphernalia, or remain in any park, street or right-of-way, or any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved, overnight.
B. “Camp facilities” include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, or temporary shelters.
C. “Camp paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks, or noncity designated cooking facilities and similar equipment.
D. “Park” means those areas subject to the executive and administrative responsibility of the parks and recreation department established by chapter 12.60 SMC.
E. “Prohibited area” shall mean any park, street or right-of-way, or any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved, within the city of Sumner.
F. “Store” means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, and/or to place or leave in a location.
G. “Street” means any highway, lane, road, street, right-of-way, boulevard, alley, bridge and every way or place in the city of Sumner open as a matter of right to public vehicular travel.
H. “Vehicle” shall mean any device capable of being moved upon a public roadway and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported, whether operable or inoperable at any particular time. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)
9.52.050 Penalty for violations.
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor, and shall be punished as follows:
A. First Offense. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be permanently trespassed from the prohibited area wherein the violator and/or the violator’s camp paraphernalia was located or reported as having been located.
B. Second Offense. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, after first being permanently trespassed from any prohibited area within the city of Sumner, shall be guilty of a Class 2 civil infraction in accordance with SMC 12.60.190 at a monetary penalty of $125.00 plus applicable statutory assessments.
C. Third or Subsequent Offense. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, upon conviction of such violation, a third or more times within a five-year period shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
D. If a person is unable to pay the monetary penalty set forth in subsection (B) or (C) of this section, the court may order performance of a number of hours of community service or work crew in lieu of a monetary penalty. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)
9.52.060 Parked recreational vehicles exempt.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to recreational vehicles parked on any residential street for a period of not greater than 48 hours, as otherwise governed by SMC 10.36.114.1. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)
9.52.070 Permit.
A. The director of the community development department is authorized to permit persons to camp, occupy camp facilities, use camp paraphernalia, or store personal property in parks, streets, or any publicly owned parking lot or publicly owned area, improved or unimproved, in the city of Sumner.
B. The director of the community development department shall approve a permit as provided under this section when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained, the director finds that:
1. Adequate sanitary facilities are provided and accessible at or near the camp site;
2. Adequate trash receptacles and trash collection are to be provided;
3. The camping activity will not unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of private property owners; and
4. The camping activity is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property, to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance.
C. The director of the community development department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the implementation and enforcement of this chapter.
D. No permit shall be issued for a period of time in excess of seven calendar days.
E. Any person denied a permit may appeal the denial to the hearing examiner. Notice of appeal must be in writing, and filed with the city clerk within seven calendar days from the date notice of the denial is received. (Ord. 2611 § 1 (part), 2017)