Palm Desert, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited acts
- Camping on streets, sidewalks, bus stops, lots, yards, vacant land, parked vehicles
- Property storage
- Banned in parks, streets and open areas under § 9.26.030
- Exceptions
- Approved campgrounds and temporary use permit events
- Penalty
- Infraction under Chapter 1.12, fine not exceeding $1,000
- Repeat days
- Separate offense for each day or portion of a day
- Latest amendment
- Ordinance 1445, 4/23/2026
Summary
In the City of Palm Desert, California, Chapter 9.26 of the Municipal Code makes it unlawful to camp on any public or private street, sidewalk, bus stop, parking lot, yard, vacant land or other area open to the public, and in or beside a parked vehicle. Storing personal property in parks and public areas is a separate offense, and violations are infractions under Chapter 1.12.
A. It is unlawful for any person to camp in the following areas within the city, except as otherwise provided: 1. Any public or private street or right-of-way, including sidewalks, bus stops and public landscaping; 2. Any parking lot, yard, building setback, vacant land, open space or any other area open or accessible to the public, improved or unimproved; 3. In, on, under, or adjacent to any structure located on public property or private property open or accessible to the public that is not intended for human occupancy, whether with or without bedding, including, but not limited to, a tent, hammock or other similar protection or equipment; and 4. In, on, under, or adjacent to a parked vehicle located on public property or private property open or accessible to the public, including, but not limited to, an automobile, bus, truck, camper, trailer, or recreational vehicle.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 9.26 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code opens with a findings clause. Section 9.26.000 states the purpose: keep public and private streets and developed and undeveloped areas in the City of Palm Desert in a clean, safe and accessible condition, promote and protect human sanitation and health, and discourage the secondary impacts of vagrancy such as crime, visual blight, poor sanitation and disease, while accommodating circumstances of necessity. The chapter history prints Ordinance 1445, dated 4/23/2026, as the latest amendment.
Section 9.26.010 defines what counts. To "camp" is to pitch, sleep in or occupy camp facilities, or to use camp paraphernalia, for the purpose of temporary or permanent human habitation or domicile. Camp facilities include tents, huts, temporary shelters, trailers and any other vehicle. Camp paraphernalia includes collapsible shelters, cots, beds, sleeping bags, bed rolls, hammocks, barbeques, open fires and portable stoves or other cooking equipment not provided or approved by the city.
Section 9.26.020(A) names four places where camping is unlawful: any public or private street or right-of-way, including sidewalks, bus stops and public landscaping; any parking lot, yard, building setback, vacant land, open space or other area open or accessible to the public, improved or unimproved; any structure on public property or on private property open or accessible to the public that is not intended for human occupancy; and a parked vehicle on that same kind of property.
Section 9.26.030 adds a separate ban on storing personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, in any park, in any street or right-of-way, and in the same open areas. "Store" means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, or to place or leave in a location.
Section 9.26.040 carves out two exceptions: camping in a public or commercial campground legally approved and permitted for that purpose, and events for which the city has approved a temporary use permit. Section 9.26.050(C) adds that the chapter does not permit conduct it does not prescribe and does not affect any other applicable provision of law.
Violations & Fines
Section 9.26.050 makes it unlawful to violate any provision of the chapter and deems each violator guilty of an infraction in accordance with Chapter 1.12. Each person commits a separate offense for every day, or portion of a day, that a violation is committed, continued or permitted. Section 1.12.010 sets a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars where no specific penalty is provided, in addition to other remedies provided by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone sleep in a parked vehicle in Palm Desert?
Is storing belongings on a sidewalk or in a park covered?
Are there any exceptions to the camping ban?
What is the penalty for camping in the City of Palm Desert?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Desert
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Desert to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
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