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

It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to engage in the following on public property:

1. Establish, maintain, or operate a camp or occupy camp facilities, including, without limitation, a tent or similar temporary shelter or improvised make-shift structure from random items; or 2. Utilize camping equipment or camping paraphernalia, while camping or occupying camping facilities. "Establish"means setting up or moving camping equipment or camp paraphernalia on such property to camp or operate camp facilities. "Maintain" means keeping or permitting camping equipment or camping paraphernalia on public property in order to camp or operate camping facilities. "Operate" means participating or assisting in establishing or maintaining a camp or camping facilities.

B. Camping may, however, be permitted at park and recreation facilities in conjunction with any city sponsored and approved event.

C. The use of park restroom facilities shall be available to all patrons. Camping and/or sleeping in park restroom facilities would interfere with the public's use of such facilities, and, therefore, camping, sleeping, and lying down in park restroom facilities is prohibited. This chapter shall not be interpreted to allow the public use of city restroom facilities that are normally reserved for the use by city employees. (Ord. 24-08, 10/1/2024)