Beaumont, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Camping ban
- Any public or private property, declared a public nuisance
- Vehicle sleeping exception
- Civic Center lot, 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., one consecutive night
- Notice before impound
- 24-hour actual or posted notice in most cases
- No-notice impound
- Perishable, contaminated, infested, moldy, discarded or an immediate threat
- Storage period
- 90 days, then disposal by the Police Department
- Fine scale
- $100, then $200, then $500 within one year
Summary
In the City of Beaumont, California, Chapter 9.43 makes camping on any public or private property unlawful and a public nuisance, with narrow exceptions. Stored personal property can be impounded after 24-hour notice, held for 90 days, and returned on satisfactory proof of ownership.
A.Except as provided in Municipal Code Section 10.08.076, it is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp; to occupy, establish, maintain or operate any camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a temporary shelter in the following areas:1.Any public property; or2.Any private property. ... D.Except as provided above, stored personal property located on public property or private property without the consent of the property owner may be impounded after providing 24-hour actual or posted notice as provided in this section. ... A.Stored personal property that is impounded pursuant to this chapter shall be stored by the City for a period of 90 days. If the owner of the stored personal property is reasonably ascertainable, the Police Chief, or his or her designee, shall promptly notify the owner of the procedure to claim his or her personal property.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 9.43 of the Beaumont Municipal Code, Camping, was added by the City Council on September 3, 2024 as Ordinance No. 1175. Section 9.43.010 states that streets and public areas should be readily accessible, and that camping and storing personal property in them can be a public health and safety hazard that endangers the people living there. Section 9.43.020 defines camp as placing, pitching, erecting or occupying camp facilities, or using camp paraphernalia to facilitate outdoor sheltering for living accommodation purposes or remaining outdoors overnight.
Camp facilities include tents, huts, vehicles, vehicle camping outfits and other temporary shelter, and camp paraphernalia includes bedrolls, tarpaulins, cots, sleeping bags, camp stoves, mattresses, couches and other furniture. Section 9.43.030 makes it unlawful and a public nuisance to camp on any public or any private property. The exceptions are sleeping in a motor vehicle in the Civic Center parking lot between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for not more than one consecutive night (Section 10.08.076); overnight camping on private residential property by friends or family of the owner, with consent and for not more than one consecutive night; camping required by State or Federal law; a City Manager temporary permit for a special event; and City-approved or sponsored camping events or public property designated for camping.
Sections 9.43.040 through 9.43.043 set the cleanup protocol. Leaving stored personal property on public or private property without the owner's consent is unlawful and a public nuisance unless approved by the City Manager, Police Chief or Public Works Director, and the Police Chief can impound it. Perishable items, property contaminated with feces, urine or bodily fluid, infested with insects, moldy, intentionally discarded, or an immediate threat to public health or safety can be impounded and disposed of without notice. Everything else needs 24-hour actual or posted notice.
Property in an area posted as closed to the public can be impounded immediately. Impounded property is stored for 90 days, and the owner is returned the property on satisfactory evidence of ownership.
Violations & Fines
Section 9.43.050 lets the Enforcement Officer choose between penalties under Chapter 1.16 and an administrative citation under Chapter 1.17, with fines set by Section 1.16.030 at up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year and $500 for each additional violation within one year. Each violation is a separate offense under Section 1.16.040. Camping and unauthorized storage are also declared public nuisances, and impounded property unclaimed after 90 days can be disposed of as the Police Department determines under State and Federal law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone sleep in a car in Beaumont?
How long does the City hold belongings after an impound?
Is notice given before belongings are taken?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaumont
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