Santa Clara County Code Title D public-health provisions and California Penal Code Section 647(c) prohibit urinating or defecating in any public place or on private property visible from a public way. Violations are infractions starting around $250, enforced by the Sheriff and the County Public Health Department.
Public urination and defecation in unincorporated Santa Clara County are addressed under overlapping public-peace and public-health rules. Title D treats human waste in public spaces as a health nuisance enforceable by the County Public Health Department, while California Penal Code Section 647 reaches indecent and disorderly conduct. The rules cover sidewalks, alleys, parking structures, parks, transit stations, creek trails, and any private property visible from a public way. Limited exceptions exist for emergencies, infants, and people with documented medical conditions. The Sheriff issues citations in unincorporated areas; cities like San Jose enforce parallel municipal codes. Repeat or commercial-area conduct can escalate to misdemeanor charges.
First offense is typically an infraction with a fine starting around $250 plus court fees. Repeat offenses or conduct near schools, parks, or transit can be charged as a misdemeanor under California Penal Code Section 647 with additional jail time.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) enforces a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures, with FAA preemption limiting local authority over flight operations.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto prohibits amplified music audible beyond the property line during quiet hours and requires a special event permit for outdoor amplification in publ...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto enforces strict decibel limits by zone under PAMC 9.10.040: 60 dBA day / 50 dBA night in residential, scaling up to 70 dBA in manufacturing zones.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto permits construction Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm, with no work allowed on Sundays or holidays under PAMC 9.10.060.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto requires encroachment permits for new driveways, regulates curb cut dimensions, and prohibits blocking sidewalks or adjacent driveways under traffi...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto restricts RV, trailer, and boat storage on public streets and requires screening for large recreational vehicles on residential property under zoni...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how Palo Alto's public urination rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.