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Bellflower, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Core ban
Camping/storing property in restricted areas
Property hold period
90 days for personal effects
Adopted under
OCCW Settlement, 2019
Enforcing agency
City Manager / LA Co. Sheriff

Summary

The City of Bellflower, Los Angeles County, makes it unlawful to sleep, camp, or store personal property and camp facilities on restricted public property, and authorizes the City Manager to remove and store abandoned belongings.

Except as otherwise provided by this Chapter or other applicable law, it is unlawful for any person to sleep, camp, or store personal property, including camp facilities and paraphernalia, in or on restricted public property.

C. Except with a valid special events or park permit, it is unlawful for any person to be present upon restricted public property in manner that interferes with the ordinary flow of pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

D. It is unlawful for persons to disrobe or personally groom themselves in any restroom owned or operated by the City for public use where a sign giving notice of such restrictions is posted in the restroom. (Ord. 1379 § 2, 10/28/19; Ord. 1396 § 2, 8/24/20)

Full Breakdown

BMC § 8.50.040(B) bars sleeping, camping, or storing personal property, including camp facilities and paraphernalia, on restricted public property (streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public rights-of-way), unless otherwise permitted. Under § 8.50.100 and § 8.50.110, property left in restricted areas or at an encampment is deemed abandoned, and the City Manager may remove it. Personal effects such as medication, IDs, and clothing must be inventoried, tagged, and held for 90 days per § 8.50.120 before disposal or donation. The chapter was adopted under the OCCW Settlement governing California homelessness enforcement.

Violations & Fines

Violating the camping ban can result in removal of property and, per the chapter's general enforcement provisions, administrative or criminal enforcement; non-personal-effects items may be summarily destroyed after the 90-day hold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all public camping banned in Bellflower?
Camping and storing property on 'restricted public property', public rights-of-way, parks, and similar areas, is banned under BMC § 8.50.040(B), subject to the Chapter's exceptions.
What happens to belongings left at an encampment?
They're deemed abandoned under § 8.50.100; the City Manager can remove them, and personal effects like medication or IDs are held 90 days per § 8.50.120 before disposal.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bellflower

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