Calaveras County, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer from infrastructure
- 25 feet
- Buffer from wildfire/flood area
- 30 feet, during severe weather
- Standard abatement notice
- 72 hours, written and posted
- Property storage after removal
- at least 90 days
- Enforcement
- county officers, including sheriff
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 3186, April 11, 2023
Summary
Calaveras County bans camping, encampments, or storing camp gear on public property within 25 feet of critical infrastructure or 30 feet of a wildfire or flood risk area during severe weather. The county can abate violations after 72 hours' notice, or immediately if the encampment poses an imminent hazard.
9.25.050 - Prohibited activities. A.It is unlawful and constitutes a public nuisance for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities, maintain an encampment, or use or store camp paraphernalia in or on public property at the following locations:1.Critical infrastructure;2.Within twenty-five feet of critical infrastructure; ... 4.Inside of, or within thirty feet of, a wildfire risk area or flood protection area during severe weather;5.On those portions of a right-of-way that are required by local, state, or federal law to be free of obstruction to first responders, including, but not limited to, members of law enforcement, fire prevention, or emergency medical services agencies ... 9.25.060 - Abatement and storage of personal property. A.The county may abate or remove camp facilities, camp paraphernalia, or an encampment established in violation of Section 9.25.050 after providing seventy-two hours' advance written notice of said abatement ... D.Any personal property left behind and present during the abatement shall be stored for at least ninety days and notice of how to retrieve such property shall be provided
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
25 of the county code, adopted by Ordinance No. 050). Severe weather is defined as any flood watch, flood advisory, fire weather watch, winter storm warning, or red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service for the county. Critical infrastructure covers government buildings such as fire stations, jails and courthouses, hospitals, bridges, roads, telecommunication towers, utility lines, drainage systems, and water treatment facilities designated by the county executive as vital to public health and safety. The board's findings behind the ordinance cite the risk of fire, unsanitary conditions, environmental degradation, and obstructed access for emergency services as the reason for the prohibition.
060 after posting and delivering 72 hours' written notice, but summary abatement with less notice is authorized when conditions pose an imminent threat, such as risk of fire or flood, blocked traffic, or blocked emergency-vehicle access. Any personal property left behind, defined to include identification, medications, eyeglasses, medical records, and usable non-soiled bedding, clothing or bicycles, must be stored for at least 90 days with retrieval instructions given the same way as the abatement notice. The chapter expressly does not bar overnight camping on private residential property with the owner's consent, or camping at a lawfully operating public or private campground.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 9.25 is a public nuisance and, under Section 9.25.080, a misdemeanor, though criminal enforcement follows only after a verbal or written warning. Additional penalties run through Chapter 8.06 of the county code. Interfering with an abatement crew is separately punishable under Section 9.25.070, referencing Penal Code Section 148, by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment in county jail up to one year, or both. County officers including the sheriff are authorized to enforce the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp on my own property in Calaveras County?
How much notice does the county give before clearing an encampment?
What happens to my belongings if the county clears a camp?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Calaveras County
California rules heatmap·Compare Calaveras County to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.