Council introduces anti-camping ordinance to restrict camping on city property

The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council voted unanimously on June 11 to introduce by title and waive further reading of an ordinance that would prohibit unpermitted camping activity on city-owned property and regulate storage of personal property there.

City attorney Jason McEwan presented the proposal as an update to the municipal code that defines camping (including tents, vehicles and camp paraphernalia such as tarps, sleeping bags and cooking equipment), describes enforcement as a misdemeanor and establishes an eviction process with appeal rights. McEwan said the ordinance’s purpose is to protect public health, safety and welfare and that it reflects recent changes in federal law, including the U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson which, in McEwan’s description, restored local authority to regulate camping under certain circumstances.

McEwan said enforcement would allow officers discretion to issue warnings, perform outreach and issue citations when appropriate; some provisions would require warnings or a first citation before an eviction order could be pursued. Councilmembers asked how warnings and citations would be documented and how the eviction order would operate; the sheriff’s representative said deputies document warnings in the department CAD system so subsequent officers can see past contacts.

Councilmembers framed the ordinance as a tool to pair outreach with enforcement. Councilmember Figueroa summarized the staff report: "The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to establish clear regulations on camping and storage of personal property in public areas while allowing the city to continue its efforts to provide unsheltered individuals with homeless outreach services." Several members emphasized outreach and assistance as primary responses and said their aim was not to criminalize homelessness.

The council introduced the ordinance by title (adding chapter 6.13 to Title 6 and amending sections related to sleeping in vehicles) and voted in favor of first reading; the item passed unanimously. Staff said violations could be prosecuted as municipal misdemeanors, and that outreach and documented warnings are expected steps before citations or eviction orders. The ordinance will return for a subsequent reading and potential final adoption at a later meeting.

What’s next: staff will bring the ordinance back for second reading/final adoption; the council and law enforcement indicated outreach and documentation practices will be part of enforcement procedures.