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

Adopted by Ordinance 24-1513 in October 2024, §4106 defines 'camp' broadly to mean using a tent, cot, bed, hammock, vehicle or other temporary shelter, or camp paraphernalia such as tarpaulins, mattresses, sleeping bags, bedrolls or cooking equipment, for outdoor sheltering or to remain outdoors overnight, and it defines an 'encampment' as one or more temporary or makeshift structures used to shelter people or belongings that the property owner has not authorized. Subsection (b) makes it unlawful and a public nuisance to camp or maintain an encampment on any public property, defined to include City streets, sidewalks, alleys, parking lots and parks, plus County, Flood Control District or Caltrans property the City is authorized to police.

Subsection (c) separately bars storing or abandoning personal property on public property or right-of-way, with 'abandoned' defined to include anything left unattended more than 30 consecutive minutes, or 60 cumulative minutes in 24 hours, or left when the property is closed to the public; City employees storing property while on duty and items placed in designated waste containers are exempted. Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor under Municipal Code §1200, each violation is declared a public nuisance abatable by administrative or civil action including injunction, and City officials designated by the City Manager may remove camp facilities, paraphernalia or other personal property under rules the City Manager is authorized to adopt, covering recovery, storage and disposition of unclaimed items.