Chapter 12.15
CAMPING, AUTO TRAILERS AND HOUSE TRAILERS

Sections:

12.15.010    Definitions.

12.15.020    Camping prohibited.

12.15.030    Camping permitted.

12.15.040    Special events.

12.15.050    Appeals.

12.15.060    Penalties – Single offenses.

12.15.010 Definitions.

“Chief of Police” shall mean the Chief of Police of Rio Dell.

“City” shall mean the City of Rio Dell.

“Council” shall mean the City Council of the City of Rio Dell, Humboldt County, California.

“Person” shall include any person, firm, company, corporation, partnership, association, organization or entity.

“Public grounds” shall mean any public place, public area, public street, sidewalk, park, public facility or public area or any property owned by or under control of any local public agency, County, State agency or Federal agency located in the corporate limits of the City of Rio Dell, including but not limited to the river bank and river bar adjacent to and under the Eel River owned or under the control of the City of Rio Dell. [Ord. 205 § 1, 1990.]

12.15.020 Camping prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to camp anywhere in the City, whether on public or private property, except as expressly permitted in this chapter. For the purpose of this section “to camp” shall mean to do any of the following:

(1) Sleeping or Reposing, 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. To sleep or repose at any time between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in any of the following places or manners:

(a) Outdoors with or without bedding, tent, hammock, or other similar protection or equipment;

(b) In, on, or under any structure not intended for human occupancy, whether with or without bedding, tent, hammock, or other similar protection or equipment; and

(c) In, on, or under any parked vehicle, including an automobile, bus, truck, motor home, house trailer, camper, trailer or recreational vehicle;

(2) To Set Up Bedding, 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. To establish or maintain outdoors or in, on, or under any structure not intended for human occupancy, at any time between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., a temporary or permanent place for sleeping by setting up any bedding, sleeping bag, blanket, mattress, tent, hammock, or other sleeping equipment in such a manner as to be immediately usable for sleeping purposes;

(3) Setting Up Camp Sites Anytime. To establish or maintain outdoors or in, on, or under any structure not intended for human occupancy, at any time during the day or night, a temporary or permanent place for cooking or sleeping by setting up any bedding, sleeping bag, blanket, mattress, tent, hammock, or other sleeping equipment, or by setting up any cooking equipment, with the intent to remain in such location overnight; and

(4) Motor Vehicles, Auto Trailers and House Trailers. To use an automobile, bus, truck, motor home, house trailer, camper, trailer, or recreation vehicle, semi-trailer or truck or other movable structure for habitation within the City, except in a duly licensed auto camp. [Ord. 205 § 2, 1990.]

12.15.030 Camping permitted.

Camping shall be permitted in the City only in the following circumstances:

(1) Camping on private property when such person is the property owner, tenant in possession, lineal relative to the property owner or tenant in possession, or holds in immediate possession a written consent issued by the property owner or tenant in possession. Such person shall present the written consent for examination upon the demand of any peace officer enforcing the provisions of this chapter. No camping on private property shall exceed 14 consecutive days or be permitted more than once within any 90-day period of time. [Ord. 205 § 3, 1990.]

12.15.040 Special events.

The Chief of Police, by permit, may authorize overnight camping on City-owned property as a special event sponsored by a nonprofit community service organization. Any organization seeking such authority from the City shall file with the Chief of Police a written request setting forth detailed information concerning the proposed event. Any person desiring to camp overnight on City-owned property shall make a written application to the Chief of Police at least 30 days in advance of the proposed camping event. The Chief of Police may require certain additional information in writing as deemed necessary or appropriate for the evaluation of this request. The approving authority shall be the Chief of Police. Disapproval by the approving authority shall constitute disapproval of the permit. The Chief of Police of the City of Rio Dell shall conduct an investigation and evaluation of the application relating to the nature of the proposed camping event described in this chapter. The Chief of Police may impose conditions or alternatives to the permit. The Chief of Police, within 10 days after receipt of the application, shall notify the applicant in writing, delivered in person or by deposit in first class mail, postage prepaid, of notice in writing by the Chief of Police to applicant of his decision to issue the permit or to deny the application. Such notice shall further specify the reasons for denial. [Ord. 205 § 4, 1990.]

12.15.050 Appeals.

The granting or denial of a permit or the conditions or alternatives imposed in granting a permit by the Chief of Police pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be appealed to the Council by the applicant, permittee, or any person affected thereby. Such appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the City Clerk within 48 hours after receipt of the decision of the Chief of Police. The Council shall act upon the appeal at the next special or regularly scheduled Council meeting held more than three days and less than 10 days after the filing of the appeal. If no such meeting is scheduled or if a regularly scheduled meeting is not held within such time, the Mayor shall call a special Council meeting to consider and act upon such appeal within 10 days after the filing of such appeal. [Ord. 205 § 5, 1990.]

12.15.060 Penalties – Single offenses.

Any person violating this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the County Jail not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding $500.00, or by both fine and imprisonment. [Ord. 205 § 6, 1990.]