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Residents press for stronger enforcement of roadside camping and better signage on Highway 1
Summary
Multiple residents told the byways committee that illegal roadside camping and littering are worsening; CHP said officers have issued $1,000 citations in some cases but enforcement is limited by coverage hours and evidentiary questions about whether vehicles are being used to sleep.
During public comment at the Nov. 19 byways advisory meeting, residents urged more enforcement of roadside camping and better signage in hotspots along Highway 1.
Marcus Foster, a Big Sur resident, told the panel volunteers counted hundreds of vehicles in turnout areas during peak weekends and asked whether the county’s increased fine (county ordinance referenced by Marcus) has been used. “I don't think there's been…it went through the supervisors the county ordinance…to increase the fine to $1,000. I want to know has there been a thousand fine written since that time?” Marcus asked.
CHP perspective: John Harris, a CHP post officer, said he has issued $1,000 citations in at least one case and described practical limits on enforcement. He said officers photograph vehicles and coordinate with deputies working later hours to follow up; he also explained that the ordinance’s enforcement depends on whether a vehicle is actually being used for sleeping, which can be difficult to establish. “Most of the folks that I contact on the highway once I inform them and I take a picture of their vehicle, that's usually enough to get them moving,” Harris said, adding that longer coverage hours or additional rangers would improve enforcement.
Other community proposals included: deploying license‑plate cameras at Bixby to enforce parking rules (raised by Bruce Merchant), periodic coordinated cleanup events before winter, repainting K‑rails to reduce visual clutter, and expanded signage at hotspots such as Point Lobos and Bixby Bridge.
What the committee will do: State Parks and CHP said they are coordinating on enforcement at hot spots; Caltrans staff noted that signage placement is constrained by state rules and right‑of‑way requirements but said they can examine siting and additional counts. Committee members urged a coordinated seasonal enforcement plan (e.g., multi‑agency enforcement nights) and clearer public messaging.
— Reporting from the Nov. 19 BISMAC meeting.
