Vacaville, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Camping ban
- VMC § 12.32.030
- Property storage ban
- VMC § 12.32.040
- Overnight window defined
- 11:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Permit issuer
- City manager (special events only)
- Adopted
- Ordinance 1741, 2006; amended 2012
Summary
Vacaville declares unauthorized camping on any public property, including streets, sidewalks and parks, a public nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 12.32, and separately bans storing personal property like tents or bedding on public or private property without consent. A city-manager permit is the only lawful path to camp in connection with an approved special event.
§ 12.32.030. Unlawful Camping. It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person or group of persons to camp, occupy camping facilities, or use camping paraphernalia in the following areas:
A. Any public property, improved or unimproved, including, but not limited to, public streets and sidewalks, parks, open space, and other property... § 12.32.040. Storage of personal property on public and private property. It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to store personal property, including but not limited to camping facilities and camping paraphernalia, in the following areas, except as otherwise specifically permitted in writing by the city manager...
Full Breakdown
030 makes it unlawful and a public nuisance to camp, occupy camping facilities, or use camping paraphernalia on any public property, improved or unimproved, including public streets and sidewalks, parks and open space, and, except as permitted under Title 14, on private property. with bedding, a tent or similar equipment, or setting up a temporary sleeping or cooking place at any time with intent to remain overnight. 040 separately bars storing personal property, including camping facilities and paraphernalia, on public property or on private property without the owner's consent, unless the city manager has authorized the storage in writing after finding it will not be a nuisance or safety threat.
050 lets the city manager issue a temporary permit allowing camping tied to an approved special event, such as a city department program, youth or school event, marathon or scouting activity, after consulting city departments, the health officer or the public, and on payment of a council-set fee that is refunded if the application is denied. 100.
Violations & Fines
Camping or storing personal property on public property in violation of Sections 12.32.030 or 12.32.040 is declared a public nuisance and is enforced under the city's general infraction penalties in Chapter 1.16. Where the city manager has issued a special-event camping permit under Section 12.32.050, Section 12.32.070 lets the city manager revoke it at any time upon determining the camp's continued operation is a nuisance or threatens public health, safety or welfare, and can impose conditions covering security, sanitation, occupancy limits, bonds, insurance, quiet hours and permit duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping on Vacaville streets and sidewalks illegal?
Can the city remove stored belongings from a Vacaville encampment?
Can someone get permission to camp in Vacaville for an event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vacaville
California rules heatmap·Compare Vacaville to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
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Encampment Sanitation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Solano County handle encampment sanitation.