Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Monterey County, CA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Monterey County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Encampment Sanitation

Monterey County outright bars overnight camping on public property and roads: Monterey County Code § 14.18.020 makes it unlawful to camp on any public road or public property between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless the site is expressly posted for overnight camping, and bans camping on the State Highway One right-of-way between the Carmel River and the San Luis Obispo County line at any time. Violators face up to a $1,000 civil penalty.

Monterey County Public Camping Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Monterey County Code § 14.18.020

A.No person shall camp in the right-of-way of State Highway One between the Carmel River and the Monterey-San Luis Obispo County Line at any time.B.No person shall camp between the hours of six p.m. and six a.m. on any:1.Public road, or2.Public property, except when the public property is expressly designated and posted for overnight camping.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Homelessness & Encampment Rules by City in Monterey County

1 cities in Monterey County have their own homelessness & encampment rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

SalinasPop. 163,542

2 verified rules • Encampment Sanitation, Sit-Lie Rules

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