Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
1 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Encampment Sanitation
Camping or storing personal property, tents, sleeping bags or cooking gear on any Santa Maria street, sidewalk, parking lot, bus shelter, park or other public property is a misdemeanor under Section 6-1.02, whether or not the camper is inside a vehicle. Peace officers can impound unlawfully stored belongings as abandoned property, and the City Council can designate exceptions by resolution.
Santa Maria Bans Camping on Public Property
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code § 6-1.02 (Chapter 6-1, Offenses Against Public Peace)
It shall be unlawful to camp or occupy camp facilities at any time, whether inside or outside of a vehicle, in or on any: (1) Public street, sidewalk, parking lot, bus shelter, park or other public property, except as otherwise provided by resolution of the City Council... Storage of personal property in or on public property. It shall be unlawful to store personal property, including camp faci...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
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