Moorpark, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Moorpark Municipal Code § 9.08.400
- Covers
- Public AND private places, no exceptions
- Lawful outlet
- Sewer-connected toilet or serviced portable restroom
- Penalty class
- Infraction under § 9.08.410
- Enacted
- Ordinance 227, 1997
- Enforcers
- Peace officers and code compliance officers
Summary
Moorpark makes it unlawful to urinate, defecate or dispose of human bodily waste in any public or private place unless you're using a toilet, urinal or commode connected to a sanitary sewer, or an approved portable restroom with sanitary disposal service. Municipal Code § 9.08.400 covers everyone, everywhere in the city, with no exception for parks, streets or private yards.
It is unlawful for any person to urinate, defecate or otherwise eliminate or dispose of human bodily waste in any public or private place, except when using a urinal, toilet or commode that is lawfully connected to a sanitary sewer system or that is located in an approved portable restroom receiving sanitary disposal services. ... § 9.08.410. Violation—Penalty. Any person who violates any provision of, or fails to comply with any requirement of, this chapter is guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished in accordance with Chapter 1.10 of this code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978490; v10 updated 2026-07-01).
Full Breakdown
08's 'Miscellaneous' article on offenses against public decency, bans urinating, defecating or otherwise eliminating or disposing of human bodily waste in any public OR private place in Moorpark. The only lawful outlet is a urinal, toilet or commode lawfully connected to a sanitary sewer system, or a portable restroom that receives sanitary disposal service, such as a rented event toilet serviced by a septic hauler. Because the ordinance names both public and private places, it reaches conduct on private property, not just streets, parks and sidewalks; a backyard or a private lot without connected plumbing creates no exception.
10. 16 on top of a criminal infraction if the conduct continues. 020(D) treats each day, and by extension each act, of a continuing violation as a new and separate offense, repeated incidents on the same property can be cited individually rather than folded into one case. 040 can issue the infraction on the spot without a court appearance.
Violations & Fines
A § 9.08.400 violation is charged as an infraction under § 9.08.410, punished under Chapter 1.10's citywide penalty scheme, capped at the maximum infraction fine set by Government Code §§ 25132 and 36900. The city can add an administrative citation under Chapter 1.16, and because each incident is a separate violation under § 1.10.020(D), repeat offenders can be cited multiple times rather than once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Moorpark's public urination ban apply on my own property?
Is public urination a misdemeanor in Moorpark?
Can I be cited more than once for the same day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moorpark
California rules heatmap·Compare Moorpark to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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Public Urination in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle public urination.