Modesto, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- § 4-12.701 through § 4-12.708
- Public property camping
- Unlawful everywhere, no exceptions
- Private property camping
- Owner consent plus 5-night cap
- Storage ban
- Personal property on public land
- Special-event permit
- Issued by City Manager, fee-based
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor plus civil nuisance action
- Adopted
- Ord. 3568-C.S., eff. 7-12-12
Summary
Modesto Code of Ordinances § 4-12.703 makes it unlawful and a public nuisance to camp, occupy camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia on any public property, or on private property without the owner's consent. Even with consent, overnight camping on residential land by friends or family is capped at five consecutive nights. Violations are misdemeanors the City Attorney can also pursue civilly.
It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia in the following areas: (a)Any public property; or(b)Any private property.(1)It is not intended by this section to prohibit overnight camping on private residential property by friends or family of the property owner, so long as the owner consents and the overnight camping is limited to not more than five (5) consecutive nights....(3)The City Manager may, as provided in Section 4-12.705 of this article, issue a temporary permit to allow camping on public or private property in connection with a special event. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor. In addition to the remedies set forth in Penal Code Section 370, the City Attorney may institute civil or administrative actions to abate a public nuisance under this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
The camping ban sits in Title 4, Chapter 12, Article 7 of the Modesto Municipal Code, adopted by Ordinance No. in 2012. 702 defines a 'camp' as placing, pitching or occupying camp facilities, or living temporarily in a camp facility or outdoors, and 'camp paraphernalia' as bedrolls, tarpaulins, cots, sleeping bags, hammocks and similar gear. 703 declares it unlawful and a public nuisance to camp or use camp paraphernalia on any public property, or on private property without consent; the only carve-out is overnight stays by an owner's friends or family, and only if limited to five consecutive nights.
704 separately bans storing personal property, including camp paraphernalia, on public property outright, and on private property without the owner's written consent. 706. 707). 705 is a misdemeanor, and beyond criminal prosecution under Penal Code Section 370, the City Attorney is separately authorized to bring civil or administrative nuisance-abatement actions.
Violations & Fines
Camping or storing property in violation of Sections 4-12.703 and 4-12.704 is a misdemeanor prosecuted by the City Attorney's office. Beyond criminal charges, those sections and Section 4-12.705 authorize civil or administrative nuisance-abatement actions alongside remedies under Penal Code Section 370, and an unpermitted special-event camp can be shut down and its operator cited regardless of any criminal filing; a special-event permit can also be revoked immediately by the City Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sleep in a tent in a Modesto park?
Can I let a homeless relative camp in my backyard?
What if I'm running an event that needs on-site camping?
Does the ordinance also cover stored belongings, not just tents?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
California rules heatmap·Compare Modesto to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
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