Stockton, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 30 feet from critical infrastructure
- Civil penalty
- $250 to $25,000 per day
- Abatement notice
- 24 hours, immediate if urgent threat
- Park exclusion
- 30 days after 2 citations in one year
- Appeal window
- 10 calendar days under Chapter 1.44
- Enacted
- Ord. 2022-09-27-1202, amended 2024
Summary
Stockton bans camping, storing camp gear, or using camp paraphernalia on critical infrastructure, within 30 feet of it, in wildfire risk areas, on emergency-access rights-of-way, and on any city-owned property not specifically designated for camping. Violators face misdemeanor charges plus civil penalties of $250 to $25,000 per day, and repeat offenders can be barred from all city parks for 30 days.
It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia, or for a property owner to allow such activity to occur, at the following locations: 1. Critical infrastructure; 2. Within 30 feet of critical infrastructure; 3. Within 30 feet of the property line of any parcel enclosing critical infrastructure; 4. Within 30 feet of a vehicular or pedestrian entrance or exit of critical infrastructure; 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; 6. In a wildfire risk area; or 7. Public property under the jurisdiction of the City that is not specifically designated for camping.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4970744; v11 updated 2026-07-07).
Full Breakdown
030(A). Critical infrastructure covers levees, sloughs, rivers, canals, government buildings such as fire and police stations, hospitals, bridges, utility systems, and parks. 030(B) separately bans storing personal property, camp facilities, or paraphernalia in those same locations without the property owner's written consent. 040), removing camp gear, garbage, hazardous or infectious waste, and fencing the site to stop repeat violations. 050. 44.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is a misdemeanor under Section 8.100.060 and a declared public nuisance. The City can also pursue civil penalties of $250 to $25,000 per day of violation, plus administrative penalties covering the City's actual abatement costs, which can attach as a lien against the property. Administrative penalties may be appealed within 10 calendar days under Chapter 1.44; all remedies are cumulative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Stockton clear a homeless camp without warning?
Where exactly is camping illegal in Stockton?
What happens if I block City workers clearing a camp?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stockton
California rules heatmap·Compare Stockton to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
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Encampment Sanitation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle encampment sanitation.