West Covina, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 19-14, Municipal Code
- Adopted
- Ord. Nos. 2333, 2334 (2018)
- Holding period
- 90 days before disposal/auction
- Publication threshold
- $250+ requires newspaper notice
- Penalty type
- non-criminal remedies only
Summary
West Covina bans camping and storing personal property in any street, alley, park or public area, and on private property except in licensed campgrounds or a resident's own backyard. Impounded property is held 90 days before it can be sold or destroyed.
19-14.030 Camping in public areas prohibited—Barbeque pits.A.It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia in the following areas, except as otherwise designated by the Community Services Department, and as permitted by the Community Services Director:1.Any street or alley;2.Any public parking lot or Public Area, improved or unimproved. 19-14.050 Storage of Personal Property in public areas prohibited.A.It shall be unlawful for any person to store Personal Property in any Public Area, except as otherwise approved in writing by the Community Services Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94).
Full Breakdown
Section 19-14, added by Ordinance Nos. 2333 and 2334 in 2018, declares that public streets and areas must stay accessible and that unattended personal property left in them creates blight and obstructs rights-of-way. 030 makes it unlawful to camp, occupy camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia, tents, cots, sleeping bags or similar gear, in any street, alley, public parking lot or public area, improved or unimproved, except as designated by the Community Services Department. 18, and 'backyard camping' on a homeowner's or tenant's own property as a short-term recreational activity.
100. The Chief of Police must safekeep impounded items, post notice where identity is ascertainable, and hold property, including cash, for at least 90 days. Unclaimed property valued at $250 or more triggers published notice in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune before title vests in the finder or the item goes to city auction; property under $250 vests in the finder directly if unclaimed. 140. 1) and instead may be corrected through any available non-criminal legal or equitable remedy.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Section 19-14 are handled through non-criminal legal or equitable remedies rather than the code's standard misdemeanor penalty, per Section 19-14.160. Enforcement runs through the Community Services Department for camping/storage prohibitions and the Chief of Police for impounding, safekeeping, noticing and auctioning unlawfully stored personal property, with unclaimed proceeds deposited to the city's general fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone camp in their own backyard in West Covina?
How long does West Covina hold impounded personal property before selling it?
Is unlawful camping a criminal offense in West Covina?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Covina
California rules heatmap·Compare West Covina 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.
Encampment Sanitation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle encampment sanitation.