Chapter 9.10
CAMPING
Sections:
9.10.030 Outdoor camping prohibited.
9.10.010 Purpose and intent.
It is the purpose of this chapter to regulate camping on public property in order to promote and maintain the health, safety, peace, and general welfare of the citizens and visitors of the city of Yelm. (Ord. 1048 § 1, 2018).
9.10.020 Definitions.
A. “Camping” or “camp” means to pitch or occupy camp facilities such as tents, huts, or temporary shelters or to use camping paraphernalia such as tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks, and/or outdoor cooking facilities such as camp stoves.
B. “Parking” means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily for purposes of loading or unloading property or passengers.
C. “Public property” means all property owned, operated, or controlled by the city of Yelm, including, but not limited to, parking lots, trails, sidewalks, easements, rights-of-way, planting strips, medians, greenways, alleys, or streets.
D. “Recreational vehicle” means a travel trailer, motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer that is primarily designed and used as temporary living quarters, is either self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, and is transient.
E. “Vehicle” means a thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, truck, or cart.
F. “Store” means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in a location unattended. (Ord. 1048 § 1, 2018).
9.10.030 Outdoor camping prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, occupy a vehicle or recreational vehicle for the purpose of camping, or to erect a camp or store camping equipment in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by law:
A. Properties or parking lots owned or controlled by the city of Yelm.
B. Public rights-of-way.
C. Public trails. (Ord. 1048 § 1, 2018).
9.10.040 Exception
If there is risk of a driver operating a vehicle that would put the general public in danger due to illness or fatigue, they may camp in their vehicle on public rights-of-way, limited to one 24-hour rest period. (Ord. 1048 § 1, 2018).
9.10.050 Penalty.
A. Violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a maximum fine up to $1,000.
B. Violation of this chapter is hereby declared a public nuisance pursuant to Chapter 9.48 YMC subject to immediate abatement of any obstruction of public property or right-of-way. (Ord. 1048 § 1, 2018).