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Jurupa Valley council adopts ordinance banning camping on public property
Summary
The Jurupa Valley City Council voted to adopt an ordinance making camping on public property unlawful, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and outlining outreach, notification and property-preservation procedures; the vote followed public concern about local encampments.
The Jurupa Valley City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting camping on public property after a staff presentation that cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision as legal support for enforcement.
City Attorney Mr. Thorson told the council the Supreme Court decision in the Grants Pass case "upheld ordinances of the city of Grants Pass" and affirmed "the authority of the city to enforce that by way of misdemeanor arrest or by administrative fines." He said the decision effectively overruled the Ninth Circuit's earlier Martin v. City of Boise decision.
Thorson said the city's code-enforcement and outreach process includes notification before cleanup, a careful handling of personal property and retention of items for 90 days. "The recommendation of the staff is that you adopt the ordinance," he said.
During public comment, resident Alma Mendoza described repeated trespass, trash dumping and safety concerns near her home, saying, "I can't'I can no longer do that because I don't feel safe." She asked the city to help secure her property and stop dumping.
Council members asked about jurisdiction where land is owned by multiple public entities and whether the city can coordinate cleanups with other agencies; Thorson said the city can enter agreements with other public entities or initiate nuisance-abatement procedures and, if necessary, place cleanup costs as a lien on a property.
Councilmember Leslie Altamirano moved to approve the ordinance; a second was recorded and the Council voted by voice to adopt the measure. The council characterized the ordinance as paired with outreach and procedural protections rather than immediate forcible removal.
The ordinance includes language making camping on city-controlled public property unlawful, establishes the outreach and notification steps for cleanups, and directs code enforcement and city contractors to account for personal property and hold it for 90 days. The city indicated coordination with Riverside County Sheriff's deputies and fire personnel will continue for safety and enforcement support.
Next steps: the ordinance takes effect according to the city code schedule and staff will continue public outreach and interagency coordination as cleanup operations proceed.
