Folsom, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense
- $100 infraction
- Second offense (12 mo)
- $200 infraction
- Third+ offense (12 mo)
- $300 misdemeanor
- Covers
- Public view and private property without consent
- Adopted
- Ord. 458, 1981
Summary
Folsom bans urinating or defecating anywhere in public view, including someone else's private property without consent, under Municipal Code Section 9.42.010. Penalties escalate quickly under Section 9.42.020: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and a misdemeanor with a $300 fine for a third.
It is unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in a public place, other than a restroom, or in a place open to public view, or upon the private property of another without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession... A. A violation of any provision of this chapter is an infraction, punishable by a one hundred dollar fine. B. The second violation of any provision of this chapter within a twelve-month period is an infraction, punishable by a two hundred dollar fine. C. The third and each subsequent violation of any provision of this chapter within a twelve-month period is a misdemeanor, punishable by a three hundred dollar fine.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1369, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
" The ordinance dates to 1981 (Ord. 458) and was last amended in 2007 (Ord. 1086). Because the ban reaches any location "open to public view," it covers more than city streets and sidewalks, extending to yards, parking lots, and other property when the act would be visible without consent. 020 sets an escalating penalty scale tied to a rolling 12-month period: a first violation is an infraction punishable by a $100 fine, a second violation within 12 months is an infraction punishable by a $200 fine, and a third or later violation within that same 12-month window becomes a misdemeanor punishable by a $300 fine. The chapter carries no separate registration or permit process; it is a straight prohibition enforced through the city's standard citation process.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is an infraction with a $100 fine; a second violation within 12 months is an infraction with a $200 fine; a third or later violation within that same 12-month period is a misdemeanor carrying a $300 fine (Section 9.42.020). Each incident is charged separately, so repeat offenders move up the penalty scale automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public urination a crime in Folsom?
Does the ban only apply on public streets?
Does using a restroom get you out of trouble?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Folsom
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Public Urination in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle public urination.