Huntington Beach, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- HBMC § 9.20.020, Human Waste
- Covered locations
- Streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, visible private property
- Exception
- Use of a public restroom
- Default penalty
- Misdemeanor or infraction, City Attorney's choice
- Max misdemeanor penalty
- 6 months jail, $1,000 fine
- Also treated as
- Public nuisance under § 9.20.050
Summary
Huntington Beach makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate on any public street, sidewalk, alley or park, or on private property exposed to public view, except in a public restroom, under HBMC Section 9.20.020. The City separately declares the same conduct a public nuisance under Section 9.20.050, opening the door to civil abatement in addition to criminal enforcement.
§ 9.20.020. Human Waste. No person shall urinate or evacuate his or her bowels on private property in an area exposed to the public view, or on any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, or other public place, except in a public restroom. § 9.20.050. Nuisance. It shall be deemed a public nuisance for any person to urinate or evacuate his or her bowels on private property in an area exposed to the public view, or on any public street, sidewalk, alley, park or other public place except in a public restroom.
Full Breakdown
015) and trespassing on school grounds. 020, titled Human Waste, bars urinating or defecating on private property that is exposed to public view, or anywhere on a public street, sidewalk, alley, park or other public place, with the only exception being use of a public restroom. 100 in addition to, or instead of, a criminal charge. 045. The nuisance section was last amended by Ordinance 3778 in October 2007. The rule covers any public place in the City, including parks, the beach and the pier, and applies equally to conduct on private property if it is visible to the public, meaning a backyard shielded by a fence is treated differently than a driveway or an unenclosed side yard facing the sidewalk.
Violations & Fines
A violation is punishable, at the City Attorney's discretion under Section 1.16.045, as either an infraction carrying a fine up to $100.00 for a first offense, $200.00 for a second, and $500.00 for later offenses within a year under Section 1.16.040, or as a misdemeanor under Section 1.16.030 carrying up to six months in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. Section 9.20.050's public nuisance label also lets the City pursue civil abatement and recover attorneys' fees under Section 1.16.100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public urination illegal in Huntington Beach?
What's the penalty for violating the human waste ordinance?
Can the City do anything beyond issuing a citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
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