Why Lancaster Has Some of the Strictest Homelessness & Encampment Rules in the State

Every city handles homelessness & encampment rules a little differently. In Lancaster, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Sit-Lie Rules

Lancaster bars sitting, lying down on, or otherwise obstructing a public sidewalk, street, curb, staircase or building entrance, and bars placing a blanket, sleeping bag, cardboard box or chair there, under Municipal Code Section 12.04.080. The ban carries exceptions for disability, medical emergencies, permitted vendors, parades and constitutionally protected activity like protesting or leafleting, and requires a warning before a citation.

Key details: Prohibited conduct: Sitting, lying, blocking sidewalk. Warning required: Before first citation. Disability exception: Wheelchair, walker, mobility device. Protest exception: Constitutionally protected activity exempt. Adopted: Ordinance No. 1113, Jan. 2024.

A citation cannot issue for a first violation; the enforcing officer or city manager must first notify the person that the conduct violates Section 12.04.080, and only continued or repeated conduct after that notice is citable. Because the section sits inside Chapter 12.04, violations are enforced through the city's general penalty and administrative citation process referenced in that chapter, with enforcement carried out by certified peace officers and city staff or contractors the city manager has delegated authority to under Chapter 1.08.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lancaster actively enforces its sit-lie rules requirements.

Encampment Sanitation

Lancaster bans camping, lodging or sleeping on public streets, city-owned property, parks and other listed public places under Municipal Code Section 9.34.010, including sleeping in a vehicle parked on a public street. "Camping" covers storing possessions or cooking meals in a way that shows a person is using the location as living, lodging or sleeping space. Enforcement runs through Chapter 1.12's citation process.

Key details: Prohibited: Streets, city property, parks, parking lots, vacant lots. Includes: Sleeping in a vehicle on a public street. Camping definition: Storing possessions or cooking to show lodging use. Exception: Permitted public campgrounds. Enforcement: Peace officers and city employees.

A violation of Section 9.34.010 is punished under the Chapter 1.12 penalty and fee schedule set by Section 1.12.020, enforceable by peace officers or city staff under Chapter 1.08. The city may issue an administrative citation instead of criminal charges, and a cited person may perform community service under Section 1.16.095, required rather than optional for anyone who receives an indigency waiver.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lancaster actively enforces its encampment sanitation requirements.

The Bottom Line

Lancaster is tougher than many cities when it comes to homelessness & encampment rules. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Lancaster, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Lancaster's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.